Gov. Jay Nixon on Friday announced that attendance for the 2012 Missouri State Fair saw increased by more than 10,000 over last year’s numbers. Final attendance numbers for the 11-day event confirm that more than 353,700 people attended this year’s fair, up from just over 343,000 in 2011.

“The events, the attractions, the food and the long-awaited break in the hot weather all added up to draw folks from all over Missouri and the Midwest to our State Fair,” Gov. Nixon said. “I want to thank all of the hardworking farm families throughout Missouri who came together to make the 2012 State Fair Missouri’s premier agricultural event.”

“The Missouri State Fair continues to be a platform that fosters growth among Missouri youth,” Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe said.  “This year’s showcase was evidence that both Missouri youth and Missouri agriculture are strong and the tradition of outstanding livestock at our Fair continues.