The Chautauqua County Fair is already underway, July 22-25, and a full slate of activities are keeping all ages of fair-goers busy and having fun, according to Debbie Wall, fair board president. “Winning Tradition” is this year’s theme.

The exhibit building will be open for viewing every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the public is encouraged to drop by any time.

On Wednesday, July 22, livestock are weighed in and judging of exhibits takes place in the 4-H Building. The gospel music group, “Otis,” will perform at 5 p.m. Wednesday right before the free barbecue and bean feed is served (bring your own table service).

“Otis” is a gospel singing group from Arkansas City. The food sale midway and 4-H style review will be held late that afternoon and the 4-H style review will be held at 6 p.m. The hay scramble will be held at 6:45 p.m., and “Master’s Voice” will perform at 7:30 p.m. “Master’s Voice” are full-time Christian recording artists from Bristow, Okla.  Their unique blend of harmonies, comedy, and ministry contribute to a dynamic presence on stage.

On Thursday, July 23, the swine show will be held at 8 a.m. then the livestock judging contest will be held in the arena. The bucket calf and beef show is scheduled for 5 p.m. and a pedal tractor pull will be staged along the midway.

The “Inflat-O-Fun” will be set up on the midway instead of a carnival this year from 5 to 10 p.m. each night. Photography judging will take place at 6 p.m.

An open-mic talent festival is set for 7 p.m., and hypnotist Ray Thompson will perform. Thompson’s background in theater, teaching, sales training, counseling, and magic is used to provide you with a show to remember.  Guests on stage enjoy the hypnotic experience and want to be hypnotized again.  Ray has been a stage hypnotist in Las Vegas as well as nine other states including Kansas. Thursday night will be free movie night in the pavillion.

On Friday, July 24, the sheep and goat show will be held at 8 a.m. in the arena then cut flowers will be judged and a kids’ barnyard olympics event will be held in the arena. “Inflat-O-Fun” will again be set up from 5 to 10 p.m. The hypnotist will be working the midway again. A professional rodeo will be held in the Lou Todd Memorial Rodeo Arena starting at 8 p.m., Friday night.

On Saturday, July 25, Little Mr. and Miss Chautauqua County Fair will be crowned and the antique and classic car show will be held on the courthouse lawn.

The juvenile parade at 10 a.m. will be followed by the official grand parade. Ruth Call and Mildred Freeman will be parade marshals.

A watermelon feed will follow the parade on the courthouse lawn.

There will be celebrity barnyard olympcis in the arena on Saturday afternoon as well as a horseshoe pitching contest. There will be weenee dog races on the courthouse lawn and free swimming at the city pool.

At 5 p.m. the livestock premium sale will be held in the arena.

Ben Allen reminds everyone that you and can buy a hog or steer to put in your freezer and they can be bought at the Chautauqua County Fair.

Call Allen at 725-5890 or Becky Williams at 725-5317 for information on purchasing livestock which will be shown at the fair.

The “Inflat-O-Fun” will again be set up along the midway and bingo will be featured along the midway. The usual vendors also will be set up all three days.

The final performance of the rodeo will start at 8 p.m. Saturday night and a free dance will follow.