By SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas State Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz said several projects and attractions are taking shape ahead of the 2026 Kansas State Fair.
Schulz said the fair is less than 120 days away and that crews are continuing to work through details on the fairgrounds.
“We’re excited,” Schulz said. “We got lots of stuff still working out at the fairgrounds.”
One of the most noticeable changes will be to the giant slide, which is undergoing renovations through the Kansas State Fair Foundation.
“It’s not going to be yellow anymore,” Schulz said. “It’s going to be red, white and blue.”
Schulz said the color change is tied to the nation’s 250th birthday.
“Our foundation has taken that slide over, and they are getting it repainted,” Schulz said. “They’re doing a full renovation on it, so we’re really excited about that.”
Work also continues on fundraising for Ye Old Mill renovations. Schulz said the attraction remains operational but needs upgrades.
“There is nothing wrong with the Old Mill right now,” Schulz said. “It just needs some tender love and care.”
Schulz said potential improvements include roof work, upgraded boats and sealing the channel where water has been leaking.
“We just want to upgrade them into little nicer boats, and then we also want to seal the channel, because water is leaching out a little bit,” Schulz said. “We want to just clean it up a little bit, make sure that when you go on that experience for ’27, it’ll be a brand new experience for you.”
The fair also will host the Rolling 250 Museum, an 80-foot-long traveling museum tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“We are one of six state fairs, is what we’ve been told, that is going to be receiving the Rolling 250 Museum,” Schulz said.
Schulz said the museum includes historical documents and photos from the last 250 years of the United States. It was originally planned for the Bison Arena, but the exhibit’s footprint was too large.
“This will be located at the north end of the carnival area, so that’ll be a good thing to check out,” Schulz said. “It’ll be here all 10 days of the fair.”
A BMX stunt show also will be added at Gottschalk Park.
“It’s a bicycle BMX where they do flips and do the high ramps and all that kind of stuff,” Schulz said. “We’ll set that up right there in Gottschalk Park.”
Schulz said the show will take up most of the park area.
Hedrick’s pig races will also return near the swine and sheep building.
“They’re always a huge hit for us as well,” Schulz said.
The Kansas State Fair begins Sept. 11, and Schulz said the opening day will include a remembrance of 9/11, along with a Hometown Heroes program.
“What we’re doing this year is we want to recognize our Hometown Heroes,” Schulz said. “This is your opportunity to recognize a hometown hero, somebody that served in our military.”
Schulz said the fair plans to make nomination forms available on its website.
“We’ll probably do five awards, and those will be given out on the first night, 9/11, with the help of Trace Adkins,” Schulz said.
Schulz said Ron Diamond also is scheduled to return, but his appearances at the fair are nearing an end.
“He said, ‘Brian, I got to tell you, three years, this one and two more, and we’re done,’” Schulz said. “I know people drive from all over to go see Ron Diamond.”
More information about the Kansas State Fair is available at KansasStateFair.gov. The 2026 Kansas State Fair is scheduled for Sept. 11-20.