MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas State Fair continues its opening weekend Saturday with debates for Kansas governor and the U.S. Senate, along with livestock competitions, free attractions and grandstand entertainment.
The political debates will be held at the Heartland Credit Union Pavilion and are open to the public with paid fair admission.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Ty Masterson and Democratic candidate Cindy Holscher will debate at 10:30 a.m. Masterson, of Andover, is president of the Kansas Senate. Holscher, of Overland Park, also serves in the state Senate.
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Adam Hamilton and Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall will meet at 1:30 p.m. The Kansas Highway Patrol will provide security for both events.
The debates are the first meetings between the parties’ nominees since the August primary election.
The fair officially opened Friday with a ceremony at the Heartland Credit Union Pavilion. This year’s fair carries a patriotic theme, recognizing America’s 250th birthday and marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Kansas State Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz said the start of the fair followed months of preparation.
“It is amazing how it’s a blank canvas, and then boom, there it is,” Schulz said. “We’re ready to go.”
Friday’s opening ceremony included a tribute to those killed in the Sept. 11 attacks. The Hutchinson Fire Department displayed a large American flag from a ladder truck.
The flag was also incorporated into Friday night’s Trace Adkins concert. Members of the Kansas Highway Patrol and Hutchinson Fire Department lowered and folded the flag during the performance.
The fair also honored veterans selected through its Hometown Heroes program. Veterans organizations across Kansas nominated former service members who continued serving their communities after completing their military service.
Other milestones being highlighted this year include the 120th anniversary of 4-H, the 35th anniversary of the Little Red Schoolhouse and the 100th birthday of the Tilt-A-Whirl.
Fairgoers can also take part in a scavenger hunt celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary. Organizers are hiding 25 red, white and blue rubber ducks around the fairgrounds each day, for a total of 250 during the fair. The ducks may be redeemed for prizes donated by vendors and concessionaires.
“If you see a little rubber duck that’s red, white and blue, or we do have, I believe, five of them that are dressed up in a rock concert-looking thing, those you actually win concert tickets,” Schulz said. “The other ones are prizes.”
Saturday’s grandstand entertainment includes BigXthaPlug, That Mexican OT and Starlito. Other scheduled performers and events during the fair include Jo Dee Messina, the demolition derby, Hairball, Danny Gokey, Colton Dixon, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias and Russell Dickerson.
The Budweiser Clydesdales are scheduled to arrive Saturday, with appearances around the fairgrounds expected to begin Sunday.
Free attractions include Rocket the Robot, the Fahrenheit fire-safety truck, a BMX show, the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show and woodcarving demonstrations.
The Kansas State Fair continues through Sunday, Sept. 20, in Hutchinson. A complete schedule is available at KansasStateFair.com.