Entries will be judged according to this year?s theme, ?Dog-Gone Fun,? as well as for composition and presentation.
On Saturday night, the annual demolition derby, the fair?s most popular spectator event, has room for more entrants, according to organizers.
Entrants will be organized into four preliminary heats. The two winners in each heat will receive $100 and a trophy. The remaining contestants are eligible to compete in two consolation heats, where the top two winners will receive $100 and a trophy and will qualify for the championship heat.
One heat for compact cars also is planned.
The championship heat will feature the eight winners of the preliminary heats and the four winners of the two consolation heats. The top five finishers in the championship heat will receive cash prizes: $800 for first, $500 for second, $300 for third, $150 for fourth and $100 for fifth.
The top three finishers will also receive trophies.
Participant packets, which include an entry form, release form and contest rules and regulations, are available from the fair manager.
Drivers are welcome from Marion County and the surrounding counties of Dickinson, Morris, Chase, Harvey, Butler and McPherson.
Area entrants are to compete in this year?s rodeo on Thursday and Friday nights. Entrants should contact livestock coordinator Matt Williams at 620-467-3742.
As in past years, two fun events are planned for children on each night. Muttin Bustin?, where kids ride sheep, is intended for kids age 1 through 6; the Calf Scramble is for kids age 10 and older on Wednesday and kids 9 and under on Thursday.
If motorized competition is more your speed, the fair is again offering a ?Spills & Thrills ATV Challenge and Figure-8 Race? starting at 7 p.m. Friday.
Four age classes are offered, starting with ages 8-11 and continuing through 16 and older. Helmets, long pants and closed shoes are required; other safety gear is encouraged.
Kids between 4 and 12 years old will have chance to compete when Bill and Leigh Van De Creek of Abilene bring their pedal tractor pull to the county fair on Wednesday evening.
The top two finishers in each age division will qualify for the tractor pull at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson in Septem?ber. Registration begins at 5 p.m. and the pull starts at 6 p.m. at the fair pavilion. There is no cost to participate.
For more information about these events, contact fair manager Stephanie Rich?mond at 620-381-0109, or by e-mail at MNCoFairManager@ yahoo.com.
