The 2016 Ellis County Fair will be held on the fairgrounds in northwest Hays on July 16-23. Events, entertainment and exhibits will feature the fair theme “Heroes in the Heartland.”

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 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. Check out all the fair information online at www.elliscountyfair.com.

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 16
• Open Class Horse Show- 8:30 am in the Rodeo Arena
• Car Races- 7:00 pm at RPM Speedway

Sunday, July 17
• 4-H Horse Show- 8:30 a.m. in the Rodeo Arena
• Car Races- 7:00 p.m. at RPM Speedway

Monday, July 18
• Enter all exhibits (except food/crops/gardening/flowers)- 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Schenk Building.

Tuesday, July 19
• 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 for judging until 7:00 p.m..
• 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.
• KPRA Rodeo and Rodeo Queen Coronation- 7:00 p.m. in the Rodeo Arena.
• Old-Timer’s Fitting and Showing Contest, 7:00 p.m. in the Livestock Arena
• Pig Races, 6:00 p.m., 7:30 pm and 9:00 pm, on the Midway.

Wednesday, July 20
• 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., Kids Pedal Pull- 7:00 p.m. on the Midway.
• Pig Races, 6:00 p.m, 7:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., on the Midway.
• KPRA Rodeo and Mutton Busting- 7:00 pm in the Rodeo Arena.

Thursday, July 21
• 4-H Foods Challenge- 9:00 a.m. to noon, Deutschfest Hall
• Lego Bricks Building Contest- 2:00 pm, Deutschfest Hall
• Pig Races, 6:00 p.m, 7:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., on the Midway.
• Truck and Tractor Pull- 7:00 p.m. at RPM Speedway

Friday, July 22
• 4-H Barbecue- 4:30-7:00 p.m. in the Unrein Family Building. Tickets cost $8.00 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.
• Pig Races, 6:00 p.m, 7:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., on the Midway.
• Little Texas concert with Ricky Fugitt opening- 7:45 p.m. in the Rodeo Arena

Saturday, July 23
• Release exhibits and building clean up- 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Schenk Building
• 4-H and Open Class Dog Show- 12:45 p.m. at the Schenk Building
• Horseshoe Tournament- 2:00 pm, Livestock Arena, sign up 1:30-2:00 p.m.
• Pig Races, 6:00 p.m, 7:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., on the Midway.
• Demolition Derby- 7:00 p.m. at RPM Speedway
Bring the whole family to the 2016 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.