The Elk County 4-H Fair events will begin later this week with the 4-H/FFA Horse Show on Saturday, July 31 at 9 a.m.

Next Monday, August 2, judging of the 4-H Fashion Revue, Clothing Construction and Fiber Arts projects will take place.  The Supporters and Friends of 4-H Picnic will be held that evening prior to the public 4-H Fashion Revue.  On Wednesday morning, August 4, the 4-H Foods exhibits will be judged.  That evening at 6 p.m. the 4-H Market Livestock will be weighed and checked in.

Thursday morning the fair officially kicks off.  4-H and open class exhibits will be accepted from 8-10 a.m.

Judging of all indoor exhibits will begin at 10 a.m.  During the judging, the fair building will be closed to allow the judges to complete their work.  The fair building will open up once all judging is completed.

The county fair has a long and closely related history with the 4-H program.  In fact, many folks cite the county fair as the culmination of the 4-H year.  A time when project members are rewarded for their hard work with recognition of ribbons, trophies and premiums.

The fair also offers a unique learning opportunity.  Youth at the fair learn responsibility, sportsmanship, the thrill of victory as well as the agony of defeat.  However, the fair must be fun for youth.  If it is not, then the many benefits of a fair will be lost.

See this week’s Prairie Star for full details of the fair at Longton.

Chautauqua County voters will narrow the field for an open county commission post when they go to the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 3.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and results will be printed in the Aug. 4 Prairie Star.

Three Republican candidates will compete for votes for commissioner in the First District. They will include: Sundance “Sunny” Young, rural Cedar Vale; Goff Searl, rural Cedar Vale; and Joseph A. Sutton, Sedan.
The candidate who garners the most votes in this primary election will be listed on the general election ballot in November. No Democrats filed for the postion which currently is held by Verne Sweaney.

That will be the only county position up for election this year. All other Chautauqua County elected officers will be up for election in 2012. Read more

Elk Countians will elect a county commissioner this year, but the decision will be made in the general election on Nov. 2.

Two candidates filed for the First District Elk County Commission currently held by Lawrence Jontra. Those candidates are Gus Jones, rural Elk City, a Democrat, and Douglas C. Ritz, rural Fredonia, a Republican. Both names will be listed in next week’s primary but not on competiting ballots.

Elk County voters will see the name of Mike Ward listed as a Republican candidate for District Court Judge, Dist. 13, Div. 4, with no opponent.

The race for District Court Judge, Dist. 13, Div. 1, will be narrowed from four Republican candidates to one in the Aug. 3 primary. Those candidates are: Jan Satterfield, El Dorado, Paul Dean, Madison, Terrence Huelskamp, Andover, and James I. Murfin, Bel Aire. Read more

The 99 Gas-N-Go opened on Thursday, according to Rick Brooks and Matt Jones who are owners. The convenience store and gasoline station is located at the south edge of Sedan along Highway 99.

Elizabeth Rees has passed all examinations to become a real estate broker and she is opening a new agency at 311 E. Main, Sedan.

Rees hopes to have everything ready to open next Monday, July 19. New signs will be installed later this week and considerable remodeling has been finished inside and outside the building.

“I’m happy to finally announce the opening of our office,” said Rees who lives in Sedan. “I am looking forward to helping area people with their real estate listings as well as those who are looking to buy.”

Star Realty will be managed by Rees but she hopes to grow into hiring other real estate sales professionals.
Rees has five children: Nathan, Brandon, Darron, Kristen and Austin.

She previously worked as a sales associate for Jones Realty in Sedan.

The 2010 Howard Elk County Fair events are scheduled and will be underway with the Ranch Rodeo on Friday, July 16 at 7 p.m.  Exhibits, entertainment, and activities will follow on Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18.

On Saturday, July 17, exhibits will be entered at the Howard Fairgrounds from 8-10 a.m., with judging to follow at 10 a.m.  The parade will be held on Main Street at 10:30 a.m., sponsored by the Howard Chamber of Commerce.  Parade entries are still needed, so be sure to call Gleneva Winn at 642-2372 or Donna Kaminska at 374-2490 to register your parade entry.

Following the parade, a turtle race will be held at the fairgrounds at noon, sponsored by Bill and Patsy Lanning of Lanning Auto Supply.  Family fun and games will begin at the grandstand at 1 p.m.  Added money will be provided in memory of Kenny and Pauline Smith. Read more

The Chautauqua County Fair fair kicks off Wednesday, July 21, with a free barbecue and bean feed at 5:30 p.m. Everyone should bring their own table service and lawn chairs. While eating, you will be entertained by the 4-H Style Revue followed by the gospel group “Barb Wired Chicken.” At 7 p.m. kids 12 and under may participate in a hay stack money scramble and there will be a cake walk in the pavilion. As a finale, the gospel group “Masters Voice” will perform.

Thursday, July 22 everyone may bring their fair entries. There is a new class in the Fine Arts and Photography – People’s Choice Award. 8 a.m. is the 4-H Pig Show. Around 3:00 p.m. “Big Squirt” will make its debut.

The fair will have five inflatables operating from 5 to 10 p.m. The Bucket Calf and Beef Show will be at 5 p.m. Bingo will start at 6 p.m. Rosie Sweaney is in charge of Open Mic with cash prizes starting at 7 p.m. There will be a ranch rodeo at 7 p.m.

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