Vice president Rod Landrum of the Labette County Fair Board reported at the monthly meeting held April 29 that the Pride of Texas Amusements will be at the Labette County Fair this year, due to a cancellation. The carnival will be here from Tuesday through Saturday. The fair board meeting was called to order by President Steve McKinzie with 13 members and two guests present.
The fair is scheduled for July 27 through Aug. 1. Read more

Labette County Fair Board president Steve McKinzie gave a report on lawn mower races at the monthly board meeting held Wednesday, Feb. 25. There were nine members and two guests present.
McKinzie said that the track should be made with a road grader with old tires on top. Dan Peterson suggested the fair board have a used tire drive.
There will be three classes of lawn mowers: single cylinder modified, twin cylinder modified and super modified.
Everett  Becker and Steve McKinzie will be in charge of lawn mower races.  McKinzie will also be checking on insurance.
ALSO AT THE MEETING:
• Introduced Kylie Ludwig, Family and Consumer Science agent. Jeff Falkenstien reported about the judges pay. The committee of Jeff Falkenstien, Kristen McKinzie, Sherry Foister, Lisa Strickland and Kylie Ludwig will look more in depth at judges pay for the county fair and report back.
• Jim Schmitz, 4-H Program Assistant reported about changing work sharing to help with clean-up since the correction camp will not be here this year at the fair.
• President McKinzie suggested the board could use help cleaning up the grandstands on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings.  They could use help on the show ring, Tuesday morning of the fair.
• Schmitz also reported he is working on building collapsible showcase units that will cost $50 to $75 for materials to build each. Schmitz is donating his labor to make them. Rick McKinzie moved and Jeff Falkenstien seconded to spend up to $500 for the showcases.
• President Steve reported that Lori McKinzie is working on sale pamphlets.  He also asked the superintendents to go through the fair book and bring any changes to the next meeting. Steve reported he would like to finish putting wash racks in the hog barn.
Clint Hanigan reported on the demolition derby.  Everett Becker moved and Destry Lynn seconded to adjourn the meeting.
Next meeting will be Wednesday,  March 25, at 7:30 pm.
–– Submitted by Bill Chapman

The Labette County Fair Board meeting for Wednesday, Jan. 28, was called to order by President Steve McKinzie. There were nine members present. Minutes and treasurer’s report were approved as read.
President McKinzie reported that a company called Inflate-O-Fun of Inman, Kan., would be at the fair on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights as a new and exciting event in place of a carnival.
It was discussed that there would be a new large and small set of bleachers purchased with funds from the Parsons Community Foundation.
President McKinzie reported about the Fair Board’s attendance at the meeting in Topeka. Rod Landrum reported that Labette Health wants to serve breakfast again, one morning at the fair this year.
Bill Chapman reported the steer weigh-in is scheduled for Feb. 7, from 8 to 11 a.m., at the Mike Landrith facilities on Rooks Road.
Rick McKinzie and Rod Landrum reported that Power Cat Dozing of Altamont, donated their services to clear the recently purchased lots south of the Fair Board office. This completes an eight year acquisition of property made possible by the vision of 15 fair board officers, county commissioners, City of Oswego and numerous volunteers of the county.
President McKinzie reported about the night shows to be at the fair and they tentatively are as follows:
•  Sunday afternoon a pony pull
• Monday night hog show
• Tuesday and Wednesday nights rodeo
• Thursday night horse show
• Friday night big demo derby
• Saturday night lawn mower races
It was decided to donate $50 each to Chetopa, Labette County, Oswego, and Parsons high schools for Project Prom.
President McKinzie reported that the Cranor/McKinzie hog and sheep sale will be April 5, and Slayter sale will be held on April 19, at the fair grounds.
The East Kansas Swine Series is to be held June 14. John Strickland reported Society for Creative Anachronism Inc. requested to rent the fairgrounds from April 3, 6 p.m. to April 5 at 12 p.m.
The fair board will handle Kamp Siesta and checks which must be to Steve McKinzie by July 1. Meeting was adjourned. Next meeting will be Feb. 25,  at 5:30 p.m.,  to move bleachers before the meeting.
–– By Bill Chapman, Secretary/Reporter

Review and re-assessment of the fair were discussed at the monthly Labette County Fair Board meeting last Wednesday night. There were 10 members and three guests present.
Jim Schmitz, Anna Karhoff and Janie Williams spoke to the board on changes that need to be addressed in the fair book that pertain to the Exhibit Hall. There were several small items discussed that would make things run smoother in this area.
The board will review the fair book and put together a list of changes to be made.
Steve McKinzie discussed the hog sale results. He will look into finding a different buyer for the hogs next year.
The board set the 2009 fair date - July 27 through Aug. 1.
Other items that need to be handled differently next year include:
• Print own sale programs. A person or committee will be selected.
• Hire a fair treasurer. This person would be responsible to work with the board treasurer during the fair. More details later.
• Try to get a new carnival for next year.
• Need more handouts of the “schedule of events” for the fair.
• One night of the demolition derby, possibly Friday night.
• Different demolition derby judges.
Rick McKinzie announced that the buyers’ supper would be held on Sept. 13, at 6 p.m., at Claythorne Lodge. Anyone interested in shooting should be there by 4 p.m. Children of buyers are welcome to attend.
Jeff Falkenstien said the Annual Meeting will be held Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Fair Office. Rod Landrum and Tom Nading were appointed to the nominating committee. Officers whose terms are expiring are Jeff Falkenstien, Everett Becker, Tom Nading, Chuck Johnston, and Jay Slayter.