The Elk County Free Fair in Longton will get underway Thursday and run through Saturday.

Fair books and schedules have been distributed throughout the area to let everyone know what is going on.

After the exhibits are checked in and judged on Thursday, Aug. 5-7, entrants and friends can check to see what they have won. The kids’ races will be held at the ball park at 2 p.m. that afternoon. The 4-H members will have the beef fitting and showing and judging at 6 p.m. The adult round robin contest will be at 8:30 p.m. There will be bingo  during the evening and at dusk Elk Connect Youth Development will sponsor a free outdoor movie for everyone to enjoy.

Friday’s activities will start at 9 a.m. with the sheep fitting and showing and judging followed by the goat fitting and showing and judging.  The bucket calf show starts at 11:30 a.m. and judging of rabbits and poultry will start at 1 p.m. The turtle and kids’ races will be at the ball park starting at 2 p.m.

The famous free barbecue will start at 6 p.m. While you are waiting on the great food you will be entertained by the Longton Jamboree starting around 5:45 p.m.  Following the barbecue will be the food auction to benefit the fair.  Bingo will again be played during the evening at the bingo stand.  4-H Swine fiitting and showing and judging will start at 7 p.m.  The shodeo at the rodeo arena will start at  7  p.m.

Saturday morning will start off with the 4-H round robin at 9 a.m.  The parade in downtown Longton will get started at 10:30 a.m. for all to enjoy. After the parade around 11:15 a.m. there will be games for the kids at the city park.  There will be free ice cream sponsored by the Farm Bureau at 1:30 p.m.  Then you can check out your open class exhibits and 4-H exhibits except for the sale animals between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.  Be sure to collect your ribbons and prizes at that time.  There will be an ATV Shodeo starting at 1:30 p.m.  then a garden tractor and ATV Pull starting at 5:30 p.m.

Southern Kansas Agency will be serving free watermelon at 6 p.m.  The 4-H trophy presentation at the show arena starts at 6:30 p.m.  The 4-H/FFA livestock premium sale at the show arena starts at 7 p.m.  Bingo will again be played during the evening at the bingo stand.   At 8 p.m. will be the ranch rodeo at the rodeo arena.  There has been lots of work getting done to get everything ready for this year’s event.  Be sure to come and see all of the ranch rodeo hands doing their work.  This event will finish the 2010 fair.

Be sure to check out all of the food and drinks available for your enjoyment during the fair.  The senior class of Elk Valley High School will have the Fair Building Café in the air conditioned kitchen.  They will have food for your enjoyment for breakfast, lunch and some suppers.  The rodeo concession stand will be open on Friday and Saturday evenings.  The new pop stand will be open with cold pop and water for your enjoyment.

Be sure to come and enjoy the Elk County Free Fair in Longton.