Chris Hesse is a lifelong resident of Vandalia, Missouri. He graduated from Van-Far High School where he was an active member of the Chiefs Marching Band. After graduation, he attended Central Missouri State University studying industrial and graphic arts. While in college, he enjoyed being a member of the marching band.
After college, Chris returned home to the family farm where he began farming with his father and brother. He remained farming for the next 20 years. In 2000, Chris decided to get out of farming, and he went to work for the State of Missouri.
Chris’ love of fairs and festivals began in 1982 when he was asked to join the Vandalia Area Fair Association. He was immediately elected as Vice-President and just a few short months later he took over the position of President where he would remain for over 18 years. Throughout his term of President, he took a small fair located in a city park to a large fair sitting on a beautiful newly developed 40-acre fairground. Chris has overseen the development of the fairgrounds with the help of hundreds of volunteers.
Chris went to work for Variety Attractions in the summer of 1994 servicing accounts in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
Chris is an avid Mizzou sports fan and enjoys raising cattle, hunting, fishing, golfing and watching all Missouri sports teams.
