In the early 1970s a young man from Wichita named Dan Kinney was in the beginning of what would be a long and storied career with the City of Springfield’s park system. One of his first tasks was to arrange for overflow parking at the Dickerson Park Zoo. He met with Louis Miller, then Director of the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, the Zoo’s neighbor to the east.
More than 35 years later, these two met at the Fairgrounds once again, on Dan's first day. Only this time the proverbial boots were on different feet. Mr. Miller was bringing a group of MSU students to meet Dan Kinney in his new role as General Manager of the Ozark Empire Fair, also known now as the Missouri Entertainment and Events Center.
From his days as Assistant Director of the city’s Parks system to his retirement in 2006, after serving as Director for 28 years, Kinney saw the growth of Parks in Springfield from a few dozen facilities to nearly 90 today. Along the way the Parks Department was awarded a Gold Medal from the National Recreation and Parks Association signifying Springfield as one of the best municipal Park systems in the country. In 2003 Springfield was named Sportstown USA by Sports Illustrated magazine.
A short list of Dan Kinney’s accomplishments would still have to be pretty long! Firefall celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2006. It is hard to imagine a Firefall without his fingerprints all over it.
So where does Kinney fit into agriculture, as promised?
“My dad had a farm in eastern Kansas but I was too busy playing sports to have any part in it,” Dan admitted.
It wasn’t until the early 90s when Dan with his friend Dan Fortner, also once a General Manager of the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, looked at some property near Ritter Springs Park in Greene County. They both ended up buying land; Kinney 80 acres. “I leased it out for a couple of years to get the hang of it.” But then Kinney bought a couple of Salers. Both were bred back with calves at their sides. “Now I’ve got about 30 cows and maybe 15 calves plus one bull.”
But raising calves and managing the Parks system for more than 30 years doesn’t lead directly to the Fair; or does it?
“There were only two boards I ever wanted to serve on: Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and the Ozark Empire Fair Board. A position on the Fair Board came open and I was selected to serve. It sort of happened overnight. One day I’m a Board Member and the next I’m Interim General Manager.”
Kinney likes a challenge whether on the athletic field or in business.
“I told them 'no' the first time they asked (me to go full-time). I really enjoy working with my cattle, my time with my kids and grandkids.” But Kinney acknowledges the Fair has always held a special place of interest for him.
To an exhibitor the fair may mean livestock shows. To a young family it may be the rides. But to the General Manager and his staff of 14, it means 44 weekends; each with a different event, ranging from dog shows to paintball and plenty in between.
“One of the first things I learned out here was how much of an economic impact this place has on the local economy.”
Those in livestock might consider the Ozark Empire Fair the granddaddy of all the livestock events, but Kinney is quick to point out that FarmFest and HorseFest are big events in their own right.
Livestock exhibitors can look forward to some improvements and changes to the Fairgrounds; but not in 2008.
“We’re looking at our master plan and one goal is to have more facilities with air conditioning. But I’m not making any major changes until I’ve had first-hand experience.”
Heat in August can often be oppressive. What about moving the fair to a cooler time of the year?
“We’ve looked into that. But about 60 percent of all fairs occur in the same time of summer as ours. Many fairs that have changed their schedules wound up right back where they started.”
While Parks Director Kinney has been noted for forming partnerships, he hopes that same approach will result in securing some sponsorships.
“We are competing for everyone’s leisure dollar.”
“The best part of this job is the people I meet. And for a lot of people I deal with, a handshake still means something.”
“It’s a privilege to be associated with one of Springfield and Greene County’s longest standing traditions. And a good tradition.”
