The Farmers Market of the Ozarks has a booth at the fair full of locally grown items.
"More and more people nowadays," says Cameron Bigbee with Fassnight Creek Farm. "They like to try to eat healthy and not so much fried food and things with calories and trans fat, and produce is pretty much the healthiest stuff around."
That's where the farmers market comes in.
"Having this mini farmers market here at the fair really is just showing people this is something that's available that does exist in our community that a lot of people don't know," says local farmer Lee Worman.
Each year the fair has a theme. This year is 'Live Local."
The market gives people the option
of buying local produce -- a healthier option compared to the rest of the fair
indulgences.
"Fair food is fun and everybody likes that too, but you can't live on it and you don't live on it," says Worman.
The food offered at the farmers market is the kind you have year round.
"It's about balance because if you have the basis of good, healthy food in your every day diet, then coming out to the fair, having a funnel cake, having a corn dog -- that's fine," says Lee's wife, Lee-Ann Worman.
And for many people, the farmers market reminds them of the good 'ole days.
"It's part of the tradition of the fair. This is the place where the people have always come, 'Oh here's the largest pumpkin that was grown this year. Oh look at the prize winning green beans,'" says Lee-Ann.
It's healthy stuff and it's more interesting to me in here than the rides out there," says Brian Morgan.
Of course the fair is all about the food, and fresh produce might not be your first pick, but the local farmers are the vendors that need your help the most.
"It has definitely been a difficult year this year, growing wise," says Bigbee.
