By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Many Barton County Fairs, once held in early July, featured that famous Kansas heat. That has not been the case for the 35th annual event this year with much cooler temperatures. Festivities wind down this Sunday, but not before a full slate of events today and Saturday.
4-H animal shows began at 8 a.m. this morning and cap with the Beef Show inside Aaron’s Repair Arena at 5 p.m. Commercial exhibits are open inside Expo I from 5-10 p.m. on Friday, and from 3-10 p.m. on Saturday. Cow Patty Bingo begins at 7 p.m. Friday night in the Commons Area, just before Eastern Heights with guest Trevon Dawson take the Peoples Bank & Trust Stage at 8 p.m.
The 4-H Horse Show kicks off Saturday morning at 8 a.m., with a variety of other 4-H animal events wrapping up with the open class meat goat show inside Aaron’s Repair Arena at 9:30.
Registration for the kid’s tractor pull inside Expo II begins at 3:30 p.m., with competition starting at 4 p.m. Adult pedal tractor pull registration begins at 4:30 p.m., with competition beginning immediately after the kids stop pedaling. Kids power wheels check in begins at 6 p.m. at the Expo I Speedway, with a driver’s meeting at 6:30, and the race beginning at 7 p.m.
Then it’s time to head back outdoors for Rock Night featuring Paramount on the Peoples Bank & Trust Stage. The band will cover many classic rock fan favorites spanning several decades.
The fair begins to wind down Sunday with a sunrise service at 8 a.m. and breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Celebrity Showmanship begins at 1:30 p.m. inside Aaron’s Repair Arena, and the Sale of Champions begins at 2:30.
The Weee Entertainment carnival will be open from 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights. Wristbands are $33 per evening, and will allow the holder to ride without tickets all evening. Single tickets are $4.50 per ticket, or a family pack of 10 tickets is $40. A Super Saver pack that includes 30 tickets is $115. Each ride is one ticket per rider with the exception of the Freak Out ride, which is two tickets. Since the Freak Out is two tickets, those with wristbands will need to purchase another ticket to enjoy the ride.