The Marion County Fair Board is announcing several changes to this year’s schedule, from adding new events, moving some events to different days and having the fair at the very end of July.
The fair is scheduled for July 27-31, which includes a pre-fair event, the co-ed ranch rodeo, on Tuesday, July 26.
New open classes
In the open class competitions, new divisions have been added, to include Barn Quilt, Legos/Lego Kits and Plant Your Pot (container garden).
The winner of the Barn Quilt division will qualify to compete at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson this September.
Lego engineers will have a division completely dedicated to their craft. Age divisions will now include children ages 5 and under, so they can display their design and engineering skills, too.
Plant Your Pot gives plant enthusiasts an opportunity to show off their talent at designing a container garden. Designers should plan on using one 14-inch container, three to five plant varieties, and incorporate the fair theme into their arrangement.
Rules for this event, and all other open-class competitions, are available at the fair website: marioncountyfairks.org, or by calling the fair office: 620-381-0109.
Parade features
The fair theme, “Bushels, Bales & Tails,” will be highlighted during the annual parade, which will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, July 29.
McPherson Bagpipers are tentatively scheduled to participate in the parade and to perform on the fairgrounds following its conclusion.
Local participation, whether a float, decorated bicycle, antique vehicle, high school band or the like, is encouraged to participate in the parade. Entry forms are located online at the fair website.
Building assignments
Another notable change will be hosting commercial exhibitors in the 4-H Building to better accommodate activities in the Commercial Building, such as Skywalkers gymnastic demonstrations Friday evening, the 4-H/FFA dog show and agility contest Saturday morning, and Flint Hills REC Powerline Trailer Demonstrations Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.
Family-friendly activities will continue throughout the weekend, starting with a dodge ball tournament Saturday afternoon. MC Pedal Power will be hosting the Kids Pedal Pull early Saturday evening for youth ages 4 through 12. Contestants placing among the top three in their respective age classes will be eligible to compete at the Kansas State Fair.
New-look demo derby
The Saturday evening demolition derby will have a new look. A three-man team derby has replaced both the traditional one-man derby and compact car event.
Demo cars will not be the only vehicles involved. Lawn mowers and Kids Power Wheels contests will be joining the lineup.
Traditional favorites Figure 8 and Junior Figure 8 races will continue, but together as one event. Entry forms, rules, waivers and general information regarding derby events can be accessed on the website.
Church service
A community church service is planned for Sunday morning, featuring Wild Horse Ministries. No admission will be charged, but an offering will be collected. All donations will be given to Wild Horse Ministries.
Following the service, a variety of family-fun events will follow, beginning at noon with a children’s petting zoo, followed by the popular celebrity goat-milking contest, BYO box-turtle races, and sailboat races in the Pavilion.
A water balloon fight will take place in conjunction with the Wet ’N Wild Slide, starting mid-afternoon Sunday, at the sledding hill south of the rabbit barn.
