93rd annual Sumner County Fair will be held July 30 – Aug. 2
Submitted to Sumner Newscow — Everyone is invited and encouraged to show their AMERICAN PRIDE—COUNTY WIDE and come participate in and attend the 93rd annual Sumner County Fair to be held July 30-August 2 in Caldwell. Yes, COVID-19 necessitates some modifications and changes, but “the show will go on”!
To encourage entries at the fair, the fair board is sponsoring a special entry contest in both the junior and the open class divisions this year. The contest will be a random drawing for cash prizes. Each entry an exhibitor enters in the fair earns them one ticket in the drawing. Then in the junior division each first premium sticker earns three more tickets; a second premium sticker is worth two more tickets, and a third premium sticker adds one more ticket. In the open class a blue ribbon earns three additional tickets, a red ribbon is worth two more tickets, and a white ribbon adds one more ticket.
So, the more entries, premium stickers, and ribbons—the more times your name are placed in the drawing! Prizes will be awarded in BOTH the junior and the open class divisions; a person can only win one prize. Prizes will be given in cash and are $150 for the first name drawn, $100 for the second name drawn and $50 for the third name drawn in each division.
All entry category information can be found on the fair website (www.sumnercountyksfair.com) as there will not be a regular fair tabloid printed this year; the fair tab will only include daily schedules and history of the fair. Questions can be directed to the fair secretary, Toni Wolff at 620-845-1485 or 620-863-2466.
In addition to the special entry contest, there will be four theme contests held this year. Exhibitors can enter a patriotic photo, a patriotic decoration, their favorite and/or most creative pandemic mask, and the most unusual bug. Prizes for each of these contests is $25. Details regarding the contests can be found on the website or in the tabloid. There will also be some special department contests with cash prizes!
ALL entries need to be brought to the community building or new fair building either from 6:00—8:00 pm Thursday, July 30 or from 8:00—10:30 am Friday, July 31. As a health precaution, buildings will be closed during judging and will be reopened for public viewing when judging is complete. Premium checks will be available and all exhibits will be released at noon on Sunday, August 2.
The charity event this year will be “Take a Hike—Diabetes”. Monies raised will be donated to the Diabetes Association. Everyone is invited to pay $10 and set up a display honoring someone who suffers/suffered with diabetes. There will be a walk/hike through the red hills on Saturday morning. A corn hole tournament is in the planning stage for Friday evening. Preregistration is necessary for these events; details can be found in the tab on or the website. Co-chairmen for this event are Rebekah Rickstrew and Casie Risley, and the event is sponsored by Sumner County Economic Development.
Livestock Shows will be held on Friday and Saturday. The Herding Heroes show will be at 3 pm on Saturday afternoon. The Junior Livestock Auction will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon with a new twist this year as online bidding will be an option for those who do not want to physically be present due to COVID-19. Contact Julia Strnad for more information about this event.
Friday afternoon there will be a Barnyard Corn Hole Tournament for all 4-H and FFA exhibitors at the fair. The Pedal Pull will be held at 7 pm; all pullers will need a fair button as their ticket to pull! Prior to the evening program Sumner County Farm Bureau will be passing out free ice cream bars! The Friday evening platform program, Friday Night Showdown, will feature Sumner County Talent and History under the direction of Suzie Yunker assisted by Barbara Knowles and some of the 2021 CHS Seniors. Bingo players can try their luck after the platform program. From 8:30 to 10:30 pm kids of all ages can enjoy all types of games in the Royal Game Theater courtesy of Cowley College Sumner Campus. Topping off the evening will be a GLOW DANCE beginning at 10 pm with DJ Jason Schoemann. Come enjoy the music on the slab between the Community Building and goat barn (old bus barn).
Saturday events include the Antique Tractor Pull and a Car Show. Of course, the Kolache Kitchen will be open, and the popular beer garden and Czech food trailer will be open for business. Adding to the festivities will be a free hamburger and hot dog lunch courtesy of Caldwell Pharmacy as they celebrate their grand opening at their store location on Main Street in Caldwell.
Kid’s Day events will be held again on Saturday afternoon. Kids need to register their fair buttons and can begin doing so at 1:30 pm. At 2 pm turtle races will be held under the direction of KanOkla. PARTICIPANTS SHOULD PROVIDE THEIR OWN BOX TURTLES! There will be a few turtles available in case you cannot find one. Various games and contests will be held and will include the popular sand pile dig. The Kiddie Parade will precede the Grand Parade which begins at 6:30 pm. Build a float and join the parade down Main Street!
Following the Grand Parade, everyone is invited to come to the fair grounds and grab a free hamburger at the Jackpot food trailer courtesy of Gaston’s Flooring. The Saturday night platform program will feature STREETSIDE and will be held on the outside stage. This male vocal group is from the Kansas City area. Saturday evening from 7-11 Extreme Inflatables will be bringing The Extreme Rock Wall, Hippo Chow Down, Rockin’ Pirate’s Ship, Bungee Trampoline, Brave Knight Combo rides and inflatables. Cost of the 4 hours of fun is a $20 armband. Again, the evening’s activities will conclude with bingo.
Sunday morning everyone is invited to come have breakfast at the fair courtesy of Mid-Kansas Coop. It will be served from 8-9:30 at the Community Building. Country Church, hosted by the Central Christian Church, will be held at 10 am following the breakfast. Premium checks can be picked up from noon to 12:30 p.m. in the Community Building. Exhibits will be released at noon so the building can be prepared for the Junior Livestock Auction.
Don’t forget to purchase a fair button! This year’s button was designed by Bryony Strecansky. Buying a fair button enters you in the grand prize drawing which is five $100 prizes; register your button at the platform programs for nightly drawings. Be sure to search for the medallion; finding it will earn a prize of $100! Kid’s Day button drawings will also be held with 15 ten dollar bills being given away! Save your button and bring it to the race events on August 14 and 15 for a $1 savings on gate admission.
See you at the 93rd Sumner County Fair July 30—August 2 in Caldwell.
