MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
It’s almost Reno County Fair time, and organizers are gearing up for a week packed with classic competitions, community events, and family-friendly activities that celebrate the best of summer and local youth achievement.
This year’s fair officially begins Thursday, July 24, but the excitement starts early with the annual dog show this Saturday at the Meadowlark Building, where local kids will compete in everything from showmanship to obedience.
“It’s a great opportunity to showcase all these kids and the hard work they’ve put in all summer long,” said Clint Lanning, Reno County Fair Board President. “From woodworking and photography to livestock shows, there’s something for everyone.”
Open to All Ages
Lanning emphasized that the fair is more than just 4-H projects — it’s open to everyone in the community through the Open Class competitions. Adults and kids alike can enter everything from prized garden produce and quilts to salsa recipes, woodworking, or even professional photography.
“If you’ve got a prized tomato or a favorite pie recipe, we want you to enter,” Lanning said. “It’s a great way to get the whole community involved.”
A full list of Open Class categories and entry instructions can be found at renocountyfair.com.
Butter Sculpting, Legos, and Water Wars
This year brings a few fun twists. New to the fair is a butter sculpting contest — participants get 30 minutes and a one-pound block of butter to carve their masterpiece for cash prizes.
The always-popular Lego building contest will return, too, giving younger kids — including the “clover buds” ages 5 to 7 — a chance to show off their building skills.
The theme for this year’s fair is “A Walk on the Wild Side,” which will come to life Saturday evening with a free outdoor movie, “Over the Hedge,” sponsored by the Kansas State Fair, followed by “Water Wars” featuring squirt guns, water balloons, and help from the local fire department to keep everyone cool.
Classic Livestock Shows and Ranch Rodeo
Livestock shows kick off Friday morning with the goat show, followed by the bucket calf show — designed to help younger 4-Hers learn the ropes — and Friday night’s Ranch Rodeo at the Expo II Arena.
Saturday features the biggest events for livestock fans: the beef show in the morning, sheep show in the evening, and the free outdoor movie and water games at night.
Blue Ribbon Barbecue and Final Auction
Sunday night, fairgoers can enjoy the traditional Blue Ribbon Barbecue. Tickets for the barbecue meal are available through any 4-H member or at the extension office. Along with great food, there will be a fashion review, scholarship presentations, inflatables for kids, and a pedal pull competition to qualify participants for the State Fair.
The fair wraps up Monday night with the livestock auction, where young exhibitors have the chance to earn rewards for months of hard work.
“It’s just a great chance for the community to come together and celebrate our kids, our farmers, and our neighbors,” Lanning said.
For full details on the Reno County Fair, including the complete schedule, visit renocountyfair.com.