Stevens County's biggest event next week

Stevens County resident Nick Gold shows off his horse during last year’s county fair. This year’s fair starts Monday. File photo

A pedal tractor pull, hot dog eating contest, 4-H livestock exhibits, country music entertainment, and a barbecue cook-off are just some of the events planned for the 2010 Stevens County Fair “Agriculture … An American Heritage” beginning Monday.

"We are a small town, small county, type of fair,” said Tony Martin Stevens County Fair Board President. “Everything is free. We have free entertainment underneath the tent every night. There is music of some kind. We have a free hamburger feed Tuesday afternoon by the (Stevens County) sheriff's department. A lot goes on and a lot of people come out to enjoy it. It is mostly a lot of fun.”

Martin has served as the fair board president since 2004 but has been involved for more years. As a child he entered pigs in the 4-H competitions.

Decades later and many pig shows having come and gone, Martin said the fair has kept its small fair charm. No carnival rides are available at the Stevens County Fairgrounds in Hugoton. In its absence is family fun entertainment offered nightly.

On Monday the fair begins with Touch-A-Truck night sponsored by local emergency services. The event gives the public a chance to check out fire trucks and emergency medical ambulances up close.

Tuesday kicks off early with the return of the barbecue cook-off. The cook-off involves teams creating a main dish and two side dishes to be judged. Martin said the cook-off was a new event to the 2009 fair and became bragging rights event for who can make the best barbecue dish in Stevens County.

"It has to be prepared at the fairgrounds,” said Martin. “It is an all day deal and the people really have a lot of fun. It is more bragging rights than about the $300 prize for first place. The smell of the food is fantastic.”

Tuesday through Friday the livestock shows and judging go underway. 4-H exhibits are open for the public for the public to check out. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, a country music show is put on by live acts. RiverRocks takes the stage Monday, Gwen Sebastian Tuesday, followed by Jamie Fox Thursday and Clear Creek Friday.

Kansas State Extension Stevens County agriculture agent Josh Morris has worked closely with the fair board and 4-H'ers in getting ready for the fair.

"I have been going around to a lot of the different civic clubs and to the chamber of commerce, and I have surveyed what people like about the fair,” said Morris. “The one that pops up the most is the free entertainment and the viewing of the exhibits to see what the kids enter.”

Both Morris and Martin said the fair is the largest event in Stevens County and has quite a large crowd.

"At least 90 percent of everyone that lives in Stevens County makes it to the fair for at least one day,” said Martin. “It is the one thing in our county that everyone goes to. You see your neighbors and those people you haven't seen in a long time. I bet we have a good 4,000 to 5,000 people coming through.”

The fair is not just for the people of Stevens County but anyone who enjoys a fair and wishes to support agriculture.

"Our fair theme this year is 'Agriculture...An American Heritage,''' said Morris. “I think that is about promoting and supporting agriculture. That is important. We need to continue our support and the fair is a way to share and show that.”

© 2008 Southwest Times