Full Weekend Ahead for Fairgoers

by Elizabeth Pitts-Hibbard

Preparations have been ongoing for the 115th annual Stephens County Free Fair, which begins this week at the Stephens County Fair and Expo Center. Folks throughout the county will converge at the fairgrounds for food, exhibits, carnival rides, and livestock showing from Thursday through Saturday in hopes to take home a few ribbons.

The weather should be a bit cooler this weekend, with highs in the low 90s and overnight lows hovering around 70 degrees. Livestock entries will be housed, shown, and judged in the large arena where air conditioning is available.

Events kick off Wednesday from 4pm – 7pm, when entries to the OHCE, 4-H, Horticulture, and Textiles judging will be accepted. Judging begins on Thursday from 8am – noon, which is closed to the public.

The full schedule of events:

Thursday, August 18

10am – 8pm: Pie by the slice offered by OHCE members

11am – 2pm: Kitchen serves lunch

1pm – 9pm: Fair Exhibits and Trade Show open

5pm – 8pm: Kitchen serves supper (Beans and Cornbread sponsored by the Comanche Ag Boosters)

6pm – 8pm: Livestock entries accepted

6pm: Carnival opens

Note: All livestock must be in place and cards turned in by 8pm Thursday

Friday, August 19

8:30am: Grass ID Competition

9am: Livestock Judging Competition

9:30am – 9pm: Exhibits and Trade Show open

9:30am: Elementary school day

10am – 8pm: Pie by the slice

11am – 2pm: Kitchen serves lunch (Loaded Spuds by the Comanche Homemakers)

Noon: Farmhand Olympics

3pm: Pie Show

5pm: Carnival opens

4pm: Rabbit show

5pm – 8pm: Kitchen serves supper (Hamburgers by the Stephens County Livestock Growers)

6pm: Poultry show

Saturday, August 20

8am: Swine show

9:30am – 9pm: Exhibits and Trade show

10am: Antique Tractor Show

10am: Pedal Tractor pull

10am: Cattle Show

10am: Goat Show

Immediately following goats: Sheep Show

10am – 8pm: Pie by the slice

11am – 2pm: Kitchen serves lunch (Indian Tacos by the Stephens County 4-H)

1pm: Carnival opens

3pm – 5pm: Gospel singing

5pm – 8pm: Kitchen serves supper (Chicken Spaghetti and Garlic Bread by the Empire Ag Boosters)

Note: All livestock released after completion of their respective show

Monday, August 22

4pm – 6pm: Exhibits released and premiums paid

Exhibits not picked up by 6pm will become the property of the Fair Board

Premium checks must be cashed within 30 days.

CUTLINE: All ages are welcome at the Fairgrounds this week for the Stephens County Free Fair, including Saturday morning’s annual Pedal Tractor Pull competition.