Country Pride, Country Wide: Ellis Co. Fair means fun for everyone

Linda Beech is Ellis County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences with Kansas State Research and Extension.

The 2015 Ellis County Fair is at the fairgrounds in northwest Hays now through July 18.

Events, entertainment and exhibits will feature the fair theme “Country Pride, County Wide.” 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. The fair also includes a carnival and plenty of free entertainment– such as pig races, petting zoo, nightly free-stage concerts, a clown and face painter in the building and a strolling magician, stilt-walker and 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 Street in Hays, 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; plans may be subject to change due to weather or other circumstances:
Saturday, July 11
• Rodeo Queen Contest- 8:00 am in the Rodeo Arena
• 4-H and Open Class Dog Show- 3:45 p.m. in the Unrein Family Building
• Car Races- 7:00 pm at RPM Speedway
Sunday, July 12
• 4-H and Open Class Horse Show- 8:30 a.m. in the Rodeo Arena
• Car Races- 7:00 p.m. at RPM Speedway
Monday, July 13
• 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 14
• 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 lobby. Support 4-H by purchasing prize-winning baked goods at bargain prices.
• Ribbon cutting for new 4-H Food Stand- 6:00 pm at the 4-H food stand on the midway.
• KPRA Rodeo and Rodeo Queen Coronation- 7:00 p.m. in the Rodeo Arena.
Wednesday, July 15
• 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 16
• 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 17
• 4-H Barbecue- 4:00-7:00 p.m. in the Unrein Family Building. Tickets cost $9.00 and must be purchased in advance from a 4-H member or the Ellis County Extension Office, no tickets will be sold at the door.
• 4-H Livestock Sale- 6:00 p.m. in the Livestock Show Arena.
• Swon Brothers concert with Curtis Grimes opening- 7:45 p.m. on Midway in front of buildings; bring a chair.
Saturday, July 18
• 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 2015 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!