Literally and figuratively, Memorial Park and the 76th Gasconade County Fair will be hot not only with plenty of activities for all ages but also in perspective to the temperature gauge.

As of Tuesday afternoon, forecasted highs for the entirety of the fair are expected to be in the upper 90s to near 100 degrees.

High temperatures today (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday) will be 99 degrees while Friday’s high temperature is forecasted to reach 100 degrees with the final day of the fair on Saturday expected to have a high of 96 degrees.

Aside from the thermometer, there will be plenty of action and competition for all ages and interests.

Opening day highlights include the Little Mr. and Miss Gasconade County Contest along with the Gasconade County Fair Queen Contest on the stage at the upper ball field.

Highlighting day one action on the lower field will be the Third Annual Caden Moss Memorial Bull Riding and Barrel Racing event put on by Rafter 7P Rodeo Productions.

Day two tomorrow (Thursday) will see animals and their exhibitors get their turn in the limelight.

Market Barrows and Gilts will kick off the animal show slate at 9 a.m., on the fairgrounds followed an hour later at 10 a.m., by the 4-H Bucket Calf and Pee Wee Bucket Calf Show underneath the sale barn.

Dairy cattle will get their turn in the show arena after lunch at 1 p.m.

Following the annual Gasconade County Fair Parade late Thursday afternoon along first street in downtown Owensville, both the upper and lower fields at the fairgrounds will be jammed full of events.

A heifer replacement show will be held at 6:30 p.m., followed by the steer show at 7 p.m.

A market lamb and goat show will also be held at 7 p.m., on the upper portion of the fairgrounds.

Highlighting action on the lower field will be the annual demolition derby.

Along with an enduro race, different classes of cars during the derby will include three-day build compacts, lunatic bone stock and super stock starting at 7:30 p.m.

Rockland Road will satisfy the interests of music fans capping second night of the fair at 8:30 p.m., on the main stage at the upper ball field.

Kicking off day three of the fair on Friday will be more animal shows.

Beef Cattle breeds will have their turn in the show arena at 8:30 a.m., Friday morning followed shortly thereafter at 9 a.m., by the sheep and goat breeding show.

Tractors of all shapes and sizes will take up the lower field beginning at 5 p.m., Friday night starting with the Ozark Highlanders Association pull.

A local farm tractor pull will also be held at 6:30 p.m., to go along with pulls at 7 p.m., by the Garden Tractor Pullers of Mid-Missouri Association (GTPOMMA) and the Southern Missouri Truck and Tractor Pullers Association (SMTTPA).

Youngsters ages 3-10 will be pulling for trophies and bragging rights during the annual children’s pedal tractor pull underneath the pavilion between the horseshoe pits and the upper ball field.

Musical entertainment Friday night will feature Tracy Byrd on the main stage at 8:30 p.m., while local band Barely Covered will be performing down on the lower beer garden.

Capping the 76th Gasconade County Fair Saturday morning beginning at 8 a.m., will be the annual car show on Lions Field put on by the Gasconade Timing Association (GTA).

Three events will kick off the afternoon portion of the final day of the fair at high noon including a sheep and goat costume exhibition, the 28th Annual Kingsford BBQ Cook-off and the annual corn hole tournament by the lower field beer garden.

After the youth livestock sale, a nickel scramble for kids ages 4-8 will take place at 6 p.m., north of the sheep barn.

Ending the final day of the fair will be truck and tractor pulls on the lower field in addition to country music headliner Sara Evans on the main stage.