A “fairly” big new venue will greet Ozark Empire festivalgoers

SPRINGFIELD, MO- It’s quiet time at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, but it won’t stay that way for much longer. In just days, the 88th annual festival will open to the public.

“This is our largest event.,” said Olivia Grellner, Director of Ag Education and Sales at Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. “We will just be getting ready for the fair and summer’s biggest party!”

With the fair starting soon, workers are staying busy making their final preparations.

Grellner stated, “A lot went into putting the facility together and now it is time to enjoy all of that hard work.

When the fair kicks off next Thursday, July 25th, and runs through August 3rd. Attendees will find the usual staples like rides, food, concerts, and exhibits.  However, this year there’s something new that employees are preparing for the crowds. This will be the first summer the brand-new Wilson Logistics Arena will be open for festivalgoers.

Karson Thomas, Livestock Director, explained, “All the dirt you see in the arena, they [maintenance team] bring that in.” She added, “It will be clear to the front doors so if you can imagine it is a lot of truckloads of dirt.

The $25-million arena has a lot of space and is triple the size of the old arena Come next week, the new venue will be hosting events like livestock shows.

Thomas explained, “I remember when I walked in for the first time I almost felt like I was swallowed.” She went on to explain, “The ceilings are so much higher,  It is just so much bigger.

The new arena sits close to the site of the old Corwin Arena, which was torn down.

“We all like the nostalgia of the last arena. But, just coming in here and being thankful for a new facility is a really good feeling,” Thomas stated.

The venue had a grand opening earlier this year in January.  Since then, the place has been bustling with activity as it hosts events like the Ozarks Lunkers indoor football games, sporting events such as BMX competitions and rodeos, and trade show-type events.

Thomas said, “We have had a little bit of practice on that so it is a very good thing for us”.

The new venue has one really “cool” feature not found in the former one.

This facility is air-conditioned, and so we are really looking forward to that this summer. There will be many many seats for you to be able to come in and sit down and cool off.,” Grellner stated. “

Officials with the fairgrounds say the venue will bring in $123-million to our local economy over the next 20 years.

Grellner stated, “Getting to see all of the hard work and effort and energy- not only from the staff but also the community- is very exciting and fun. She added, “On our end, it kind of makes the long nights and long hours really worth it.”

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