The Garden City Telegram

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Wealth of fun in store at Finney County Fair

Published 7/16/2011 in Local News

By SHAJIA AHMAD

sahmad@gctelegram.com

Only 11 more days until the start of the Finney County Fair.

And this year, a plethora of events and exhibits are sure to catch the eye, organizers said.

"The Finney County Fair reaches so many people. There's something down there for everybody," Marilyn Knight, the fair board's treasurer of seven years, said. "And you don't have to have pockets full of cash to come down, either."

A highlight of the summer for many residents and visitors from surrounding communities, the 2011 Finney County Fair will be held July 28 through 30 at the county fairgrounds and buildings.

On the first day of the fair, two Thursdays away, the day begins with a Porta-Potty decorating contest from 8 a.m. to noon, coined Patrons of the Privy Decorating Contest.

Several event sponsors have rented the portable toilets for public use, Knight said, and the public is invited to come and observe friendly competition.

Judging begins at noon Thursday and a best of show winner will be announced later that evening after a 6 p.m. free hamburger feed sponsored by Western State Bank.

"We're going to hit the crowd hard with a lot of great events Thursday. People need to be there," Knight added.

The state final for the Texaco Country Showdown also returns to the Finney County Fair this year.

The contest that touts itself as "America's largest country music talent search" begins at 8 p.m. July 28 at the fairgrounds arena.

The state contest was long held at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson for more than 20 years before moving to Finney County for the first time last year, Knight said.

The talent contest is made up of local winners from across the state who will compete to win a state title and move on to a national competition in Nashville, Tenn.

Following the country showdown competition, Streetside, a Topeka-based vocal group, will perform for fair-goers on the fairgrounds plaza behind the grandstand in an "intimate setting," Knight said.

The fair treasurer said the public is invited to bring their lawn chairs out to the plaza to enjoy the music of the a cappella group that focuses on classics from the 1950s and '60s.

"Thursday's going to be a very fun day for people because there are so many things to do," Knight added.

The Friday of the fair features the Western Kansas Truck and Tractor Pull. The amateur pull featuring antique tractors starts at 6 p.m. and the professional pull starts at 8 p.m.

And on Saturday, Outlaw Promotions features the Demolition Derby.

"It is so popular, I feel we're going to sell out of the derby this year," Knight added.

Exhibits during the day — from photography to farm crops to quilting — and commercial booths are free to the public throughout fair days.

Daily activities at this year's fair, also free to the public, include the Pride of Texas Carnival, which starts Wednesday; Hedrick's Exotic Petting Zoo, based in Nickerson; and Professor Farquar's "Great American Medicine Show."

The Southwest Dairy Association also will be performing daily milking demonstrations.

Tickets to many evening events cost $10 per wristband for adults and $5 for children, ages 3 to 12. Those age 3 and under are free. Event tickets can be purchased at the fair on fair days or at Dillons, 1305 E. Kansas Ave.

Visit http://www.finneycountyfair.org to view a full schedule of events visit.

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