Area residents invited to participate in county fair
The Marion County Fair is inviting area residents to participate in some of its most popular events, including the parade, demolition derby, rodeo, and an all-terrain-vehicle competition.
The fair will be July 23-26 in Hillsboro.
The parade, set to begin at 6:30 p.m. July 23 welcomes 4-H, open-class, and commercial entries to participate with floats, plus antique vehicles, demolition derby cars, bands, and public officials. Pre-registration is not required.
Entries will be judged according to this year's theme, "Dog-Gone Fun," as well as for composition and presentation.
On Saturday night, the annual demolition derby has room for more entrants.
Participant packets, which include an entry form, release form, and contest rules and regulations are available from the fair manager.
Drivers are welcome from Marion County and the surrounding counties of Dickinson, Morris, Chase, Harvey, Butler, and McPherson.
Area entrants are to compete in this year's rodeo on Thursday and Friday nights. Entrants should contact livestock coordinator Matt Williams at 620-467-3742.
As in past years, two events are planned for children on each night. Muttin Bustin', where kids ride sheep, is intended for kids age one through six; the Calf Scramble is for kids age 10 and older on Wednesday and kids nine and under on Thursday.
If motorized competition is more your speed, the fair is again offering a "Spills & Thrills ATV Challenge and Figure-8 Race" starting at 7 p.m. Friday.
Four age classes are offered, starting with ages eight through 11 and continuing through 16 and older. Helmets, long pants, and closed shoes are required. Other safety gear is encouraged.
Children between the ages of four and 12 will have a chance to compete in the pedal tractor pull Wednesday evening.
The top two finishers in each age division will qualify for the tractor pull at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson in September.
Registration begins at 5 p.m. and the pull starts at 6 p.m. at the fair pavilion. There is no cost to participate.
For more information about any of these events, contact fair manager Stephanie Richmond at 620-381-0109, or by e-mail at MNCoFairManager@yahoo.com
