Started in 1901, the Missouri State Fair has since become an annual tradition, and is a yearly celebration of Missouri’s agriculture, fine art, and food, among other things. This year, however, the festival reached national attention after video surfaced showing a rodeo clown at the fair dressed as President Obama. On the video, an announcer is seen asking the audience if they wanted to see "Obama run down by a bull." The stunt has been heavily criticized, with some calling it racist. This week on Intersection, broadcast live from the festival, we'll speak to the fair's director about the rodeo incident. We'll also talk about the state fair in general, hear from young farmers, and got an insider’s view of some of the competitions. Throughout the show, we’ll also present some sights and sounds of the festival, which runs through Aug. 18th. Special thanks goes to Harum Helmy and Kristofor Husted for editorial assistance, and I-LAND Internet Services for technical assistance. | 1st segment panelists: Mark Wolfe, Missouri State Fair Fair Director David Dick, livestock superintendent |
2nd segment panelists: Mark Wolfe, Missouri State Fair Director Miriam Martin, state officer, Missouri Future Farmers of America Mitchell Blehm, state officer, Missouri Future Farmers of America Leon Busdieker, advisor, Missouri Future Farmers of America | 3rd segment panelists: Mark Wolfe, Missouri State Fair Fair Director David Dick, livestock superintendent Ashley Shane, Superintendent of Fine Arts Department |