What really happens behind the scenes when 450+ vendors, 70+ concessionaires, and thousands of hungry fairgoers descend on Sedalia? 🌭🎡

In this episode of Beyond the Gate, Jamie sits down with Missouri State Fair Concessions and Vendor Manager Steven Sims to pull back the curtain on the chaotic, high-stakes world of fair planning! 🎟️✨

Steve shares the reality of curating iconic fair foods (including a live taste test of Dubai chocolate-covered strawberries on "Snackin' with Steve"!), handling late-night emergencies like runaway raccoons and rogue pop-up stands, and why 65 vendors have returned every single year since 1995 🍓🤯. Plus, Steve gets personal about burning out, discovering his "Leadership on a Stick" philosophy, finding true purpose under pressure, and falling in love right on the fairgrounds! 💍❤️

What really happens behind the scenes when 450+ vendors, 70+ concessionaires, and thousands of hungry fairgoers descend on Sedalia? 🌭🎡
In this episode of Beyond the Gate, Jamie sits down with Missouri State Fair Concessions and Vendor Manager Steven Sims to pull back the curtain on the chaotic, high-stakes world of fair planning! 🎟️✨
Steve shares the reality of curating iconic fair foods (including a live taste test of Dubai chocolate-covered strawberries on "Snackin' with Steve"!), handling late-night emergencies like runaway raccoons and rogue pop-up stands, and why 65 vendors have returned every single year since 1995 🍓🤯. Plus, Steve gets personal about burning out, discovering his "Leadership on a Stick" philosophy, finding true purpose under pressure, and falling in love right on the fairgrounds! 💍❤️

Join host Jamie Johansen for Beyond The Gate, a podcast sharing the grit, growth, and spirit of rural life. From fields to front porches, this is where the heart of agriculture comes alive as we celebrate the people, challenges, and triumphs that define rural life.

Whether you’re in the tractor, at the kitchen table, or on the road, we’re bringing the heart of agriculture straight to you. The gate’s open… are you ready to step through?

Join host Jamie Johansen for&nbsp;Beyond The Gate, a podcast sharing the grit, growth, and spirit of rural life. From fields to front porches, this is where the heart of agriculture comes alive as we celebrate the people, challenges, and triumphs that define rural life.
Whether you&rsquo;re in the tractor, at the kitchen table, or on the road, we&rsquo;re bringing the heart of agriculture straight to you. The gate&rsquo;s open&hellip; are you ready to step through?

Beyond The Gate

Join host Jamie Johansen for Beyond The Gate, a podcast sharing the grit, growth, and spirit of rural life. From fields to front porches, this is where the heart of agriculture comes alive as we celebrate the people, challenges, and triumphs that define rural life.

Whether you’re in the tractor, at the kitchen table, or on the road, we’re bringing the heart of agriculture straight to you. The gate’s open… are you ready to step through?

Episodes drop every other Wednesday, starting TOMORROW, on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Join host Jamie Johansen for Beyond The Gate, a podcast sharing the grit, growth, and spirit of rural life. From fields to front porches, this is where the heart of agriculture comes alive as we celebrate the people, challenges, and triumphs that define rural life.
Whether you&rsquo;re in the tractor, at the kitchen table, or on the road, we&rsquo;re bringing the heart of agriculture straight to you. The gate&rsquo;s open&hellip; are you ready to step through?
Episodes drop every other Wednesday, starting TOMORROW, on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.