The 2014 Ellis County Fair will be held on the fairgrounds in northwest Hays on July 12 to 19. Events, entertainment and exhibits will feature the fair theme “All-American Flair at the Ellis County Fair.”

There’s fun for everyone at the fair. Traditional evening events include two nights of races, two nights of rodeo, a truck and tractor pull, a concert and a demolition derby. This year the fair includes a new carnival and plenty of free entertainment– such as pig races, nightly concerts, karaoke contests for kids and adults, a clown and face painter in the building and a strolling clown on the midway.

The official fair book gives all the details — from event schedules to competition categories and all the information you need to get involved. Pick up a fair book at the Ellis County Extension Office, 601 Main, or check out all the fair information online at www.elliscountyfair.org.

Here are just a few of the highlights of the this year’s Ellis County Fair:

Saturday, July 12
• Rodeo Queen Contest- 8:00 am in the Rodeo Arena
• Car Races- 7:00 pm at RPM Speedway

Sunday, July 13
• Open Class Horse Show- 8:00 a.m. in the Rodeo Arena
• 4-H and Open Dog Show- 3:45 p.m. in the Unrein Family Building
• Car Races- 7:00 p.m. at RPM Speedway

Monday, July 14
• 4-H Horse Show- 8:00 a.m. in the Rodeo Arena
• Enter all exhibits (except food/crops/gardening/flowers)- 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Schenk Building. You can speed up the check-in process by picking up an exhibitor sheet and entry cards in advance at the Ellis County Extension Office.

Tuesday, July 15
• Exhibitor Breakfast sponsored by Bank of Hays- 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. in the Deutschfest Hall.
• Enter crops, gardening, wheat show and open class foods- 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. in the Schenk Building. The building is then closed to the public until 7:00 p.m. for judging.
• 4-H Food Sale -10:00 a.m. to about 3:00 p.m. (or until sold out) in the Schenk Building. Support 4-H by purchasing prize-winning baked goods at bargain prices.
• Cow Milking Contest- 7:00 p.m. in the Livestock Show Arena.
• KPRA Rodeo and Rodeo Queen Coronation- 7:00 p.m. in the Rodeo Arena.

Wednesday, July 16
• Enter flowers- 8:00-9:30 a.m. in the Schenk Building; judging begins at 10:00 a.m.
• 4-H Small Pet Show- 1:00 p.m., 4-H Cat Show- 3:00 pm, Deutschfest Hall.
• Safety Fair- 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Eagle Radio Kids Pedal Pull- 7:00 p.m. on the Midway
• KPRA Rodeo and Mutton Busting- 7:00 pm in the Rodeo Arena.

Thursday, July 17
• 4-H Foods Challenge- 10:00 a.m. to noon, Deutschfest Hall
• Truck and Tractor Pull- 7:00 p.m. at RPM Speedway

Friday, July 18
• 4-H Barbecue- 4:30-7:00 p.m. in the Unrein Family Building; tickets cost $8.50 and must be purchased in advance from a 4-H member or the Ellis County Extension Office.
• 4-H Livestock Sale- 6:00 p.m. in the Livestock Show Arena.
• Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Concert with Logan Mize- 7:45 p.m. at RPM Speedway

Saturday, July 19
• Release exhibits and building clean up- 9:00 to 11:00 am at the Schenk Building
• Demolition Derby- 7:00 p.m. at RPM Speedway

Bring the whole family to the 2014 Ellis County Fair. Be sure to check out the indoor exhibits, commercial vendors, livestock shows and delicious fair food. There will be fun for everyone!

Linda K. Beech is Ellis County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.