Social distancing was fairly easy to achieve on opening day of the 2020 Missouri State Fair.

The main attraction Thursday was the Missouri Youth Livestock Show, which is the one and only event featured at the Fair, which was drastically downsized this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

All participants were either members of 4-H or FFA, and on Thursday competed in such categories as lamb, swine, Angus, Simmental, chicken, bantam, turkey, waterfowl, Gelbvieh and salers.

On Friday, the judging schedule calls for On-Foot Barrow, Chicken and Bantam, and Weather Dam Lamb and swine shows.

Animal judging actually began Tuesday with poultry, goats, swine and lambs.

There is no admission and no fee to park your vehicle at this year's Fair, which has the theme, “Home Is Here.”

There are no opening ceremonies or parade, no Sedalia Day, no carnival, no circus, no machinery, no Bud Tent, no queen contest, no rodeo and no grandstand shows this year. But plenty of animals show by 4-H and FFA members from across the state.

Exhibit areas at the Swine Paviliion were turned into corn-hole tournaments for kids in between judging sessions.

A handful of around 20 vendors are on hand to sell tasty Fair food to those attending.

The State Fair Fire Department is staffed with personnel in case of emergency. And the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Fair security staff are nearby if needed.

Hand cleaning and sanitizer stations are located around the grounds for Fair visitors.

The 2020 Fair runs through Aug. 23. For more information, visit mostatefair.com.

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