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.

Friday, July 23 is the day to see who won that special ribbon. Voting will begin for the People’s Choice Award. Those who vote will be entered in a drawing. Big Squirt will still be around. 8 a.m. is the sheep and goat show. 2 p.m. is starting time for the kid’s barnyard olympics. Inflatables will start at 5 p.m.

The 4-H Round Robin begins at 5 p.m. and bingo will be played at 6 p.m. and the bucking bull will be in operation. The Sedan Round-Up Club will have their rodeo at 8 p.m. Buy your tickets from the queen contestants. A youth dance will be at 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 24, is parade day. Lineup will be on South Chautauqua with the parade route going north towards the fair grounds.

At 9:30 a.m. will be the crowning of Little Mr. and Miss Chautauqua County. Donna Wolfe is in charge of the kids’ parade that will start at 10 a.m. There is a new class for pet look-a-likes. There are cannisters around Sedan and Cedar Vale for anyone to vote for your favorite Little Mr. and Miss contestant. July 21 is the last day to vote. The cans will be on the fairgrounds during the bean feed for the kids to make one last round of votes.

Grand marshals for the parade will be the American Legion and Auxiliary, VFW and Auxiliary, and all veterans. The car show will be on the courthouse lawn. The little kids’ tractor pull will be at 11 a.m. A free watermelon feed will be at 12:30 p.m. This will be the last day for Big Squirt.

The Celebrity Barnyard Olympics will begin at 1 p.m. as well as the horseshoe competition. Free swimming will begin at 1 p.m. and at 2 will be the weenie dog races at the courthouse. At 3 p.m. the winners of the People’s Choice Awards will be announced. The bucking machine will be in operation at 4 p.m and at 5 will be the 4-H Livestock Premium Sale as well as the inflatables.
Bingo is at 6 p.m. The rodeo is at 8 p.m. with the crowning of the queen. The final event is the free dance at 10 p.m.

There will be church concession stands and other vendors on the grounds. All vendors, regardless of whether you have games or selling merchandise or food, must have permission from the fair board to be on the grounds. All politicians must have permission as well.

Fair planners are still looking for groups or individuals to provide games. Contact Leota Casement at 725-3494 or Debbie Wall at 758-2262.

Fair books have been printed and are now available at Floyd’s Supermarket in Sedan, First National Bank of Sedan, Bank of Sedan and the Chautauqua County Extention office.

In Cedar Vale, books may be picked up at the Bank of Cedar Vale, Caney Valley Electric Cooperative and Ferguson’s Market.