Plans to celebrate the 110 year old Missouri State Fair will include a reunion of former Missouri State Fair Queens. Director Mark Wolfe said the royalty will be recognized in special events on Thursday and Friday, August 9th and 10th, including the opening day ceremony, parade, and annual queen competition.

Fifty-four young ladies have received the Missouri State Fair Queen title, with the first awarded to Kay Burns of Pemiscot County in 1958. This year will mark the third reunion of the former queens (the last time coming in 2002).

State Fair Queens reign for one year after their coronation and represent the Missouri State Fair at activities across the state. The current queen, Meredith Jones of Dawn, was selected last August from 62 other contestants. She attends the University of Missouri and is the daughter of Charles and Sherry Jones. Lisa Stottlemyre Schilling of rural Trenton is a former Missouri State Fair Queen.

Young women interested in participating in this year's Queen competition should submit their entry forms by Sunday, July 15th, which are available at www.mostatefair.com. Entrants must be between the ages of 17 and 22 and hold a current title of queen from a county fair, or be sponsored by an agricultural group.

The 110th edition of the Missouri State Fair will be held from Thursday, August 9th through Sunday, August 19th in Sedalia, and is themed "Celebrate Then and Wow".