08/04/2026
For those who may not know, Debbie and I are huge fans of the Missouri State Fair. We have been attending for nearly 20 years, and about 10 years ago, we began donating our time and woodworking products to the MO State Fair Foundation . Over the years, we have provided banquet awards, auction items, and merchandise sold in souvenir shops throughout the fairgrounds.
When Karri Wilson approached me about creating a series of massive plaques, I immediately said, “Yes.” Honestly, I was excited and honored to have the opportunity to become a small part of the Fair’s history. These plaques were created to last and could remain on the fairgrounds for the next 100 years.
Debbie and I are incredibly proud to be able to donate these plaques to the Missouri State Fair Foundation. We are grateful and deeply honored that they trusted us with such an important and meaningful project.
For months, we've been keeping a very special project under wraps... and the time has finally come to share it!
What began as a vision—to create a lasting tribute to the Medallion Level members of the Missouri State Fair Foundation's 1901 Society—has now become a beautiful reality.
Located in the lobby of the Historic Old Administration Building, our new 1901 Society Donor Wall honors the generous individuals whose support helps preserve the traditions and future of the Missouri State Fair. Each donor's name will be permanently inscribed, creating a legacy that will inspire generations to come.
This remarkable piece was handcrafted by master woodworkers Jon and Debbie Ortmann of Patton, Missouri. Their craftsmanship, dedication, and countless hours of constructing, sanding, painting, and finishing transformed a vision into a timeless work of art.
We invite you to stop in during the 2026 Missouri State Fair to admire the incredible craftsmanship, and help us celebrate the donors whose generosity continues to make a difference. Ortmann Woodcraft