The Missouri State Fair celebrated its 107th*year in 2009. The 11-day celebration recorded an attendance of over 300,000 people. It garnered numerous awards during the annual conference of the IAFE or the International Association of Fairs and Expositions for its promotion of agriculture in the area. This coming August, the Missouri State Fair would be celebrating its 109th*year, and is expecting to break the record set two years back. The first Missouri State Fair was held in September, 1901. Today, the celebration features music concerts, livestock shows and competitions,*arts and crafts, food stands, and several exhibits. It also features the very popular mule show, which has already been part of the big event since its first commencement in 1901.