The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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August 15, 2009

County fair slated Aug. 27-29

By Jim Wilkinson, Fairview correspondent

The 2009 Major County Free Fair will be held Aug. 27-29, according to Dana Baldwin, OSU Extension Office educator. Barns will be open for livestock at 4 p.m. Thursday. Farm products and livestock will be on display throughout the rest of the week.

This year the fair board has implemented some new wrinkles to the show. Friday evening there will be a pig wrestling contest, sponsored by the Major County Young Farmers & Ranchers Association. This will replace the celebrity showmanship contest. There will be an ice cream social starting at 7 p.m.

Saturday will be full of new events. Fairview junior class parents will have a tug-of-war fundraiser that morning. A free meal will be provided starting at 11:30 a.m. Instead of the usual horse show on Saturday evening, a horse play day will be conducted. Young equestrians from all over the county area are encouraged to join in.

Fairview has sponsored a fall fair event since the early 1920s. However, it was not until 1930 W.B. Hanley, extension agent, generated enough interest to have a showing of livestock and farm products that drew contestants from outside of the town. The first fair was held in several spots in town, including the livestock yards, the high school gym and vacant buildings on Main Street. However, by 1940, the fair had grown to become the countywide event it is today, and permanent facilities were built near the city park. The Major County Fair Board, president, David French, works throughout the year, and with the cooperation of the Major County commissioners provide modern facilities for the events.

Today the fair includes all types of livestock showing contests, free exhibits and workshops. Baldwin also reported there will be plenty of food varieties in the concession stand in the exhibit building. There is still time for the addition of entertainment, club activities and contest entries, she said. 

You may call the Extension Office for more information at (580) 227-3786. Those interested in getting more details about the pig wrestling contest should call the Major Co. Farm Bureau at (580) 227-4710.

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