It appears that the record-setting heat wave may have finally let up in portions of Missouri, which is good news forState Fairorganizers.
The annual event begins one week from today in Sedalia, and forecasters are predicting high’s in the low 80’s for opening day.
Governor Jay Nixon says there’ll be plenty of emergency responders on hand if the excessive heat returns.
“It’s a really neat thing, for those who haven’t been by to see all of the fire personnel that come in," Nixon told reporters at a press conference in Jefferson City. "Literally, you kind of set up a fire operation there that includes all sorts of emergency responder efforts."
State Fair Director Mark Wolfe added that there’ll be adequate shelter if it does turn out to be unbearably hot.
“I can tell you that we have a lot of air conditioned buildings on the fairgrounds," Wolfe said. "So if you come out during the day and it’s a hot day, or if you get a little warm walking around outside, you can spend hours going from building to building and be in air conditioning, (and) we’ve got bottled water all over the place.”
More than 320,000 people attended the Missouri State Fair last year, taking in concerts, livestock exhibits and rides. It begins August 11 and runs through the 21st.