Visitors to the 100th Cowley County Fair will notice some changes when they arrive at the Winfield Fairgrounds this week, including improvements to the popular 4-H Food Booth and new traffic patterns caused by nearby road construction.
The fair runs Thursday through Monday.
During a media preview Wednesday, organizers highlighted upgrades to the food booth, long one of the fair’s busiest attractions. A newly painted and sealed concrete floor gives the building a fresh look while providing a more durable surface for years to come.
Sarah LaGrone, 4-H Youth Development agent with K-State Research and Extension, said proceeds from the food booth provide much of the local 4-H program’s annual operating budget, helping fund both youth programs and facility improvements.
This year’s renovation received a major boost from Rob Carroll, owner of Rob Carroll Sandblasting, who donated labor and materials for the booth’s approximately $19,000 floor restoration project. The donation allowed 4-H to instead invest its funds in a new ice machine.
“It’s just awesome connections in our county,” LaGrone said, crediting local businesses and volunteers for helping make the project possible.
Justin Groom donated pallets used to move and store equipment from inside the building, while PrairieLand Partners John Deere provided heavy equipment to clear the booth before work on the floor began.
Also new this year will be the ability to accept credit and debit cards inside the food booth through the State of Kansas’ KanPay system. Customers ordering at the outside walk-up window will still need to pay with cash.
Traffic concerns
Visitors also should plan for traffic changes around the fairgrounds because of the ongoing replacement of the Ninth Avenue bridge near the grounds.
Access from Ninth has been reduced to one entrance instead of the usual two, and traffic through the construction zone is limited to one lane in each direction.
Fair President Eric Befort said Friday night’s demolition derby and figure 8 races, along with Saturday night’s Easton Corbin concert, are expected to generate the heaviest traffic of the week.
The fair board has been briefed by the Kansas Department of Transportation as construction has progressed, Befort said.
“If necessary, we can have police out there directing traffic,” he said.
Befort noted that access from 14th Avenue remains fully open and has become the preferred route for 4-H families, exhibitors and others bringing animals or equipment onto the grounds. He said he still expects strong attendance and smooth operations throughout the fair. Continue below ad.
Celebrating 100 years
This year’s event marks the 100th edition of the Cowley County Fair. Although the fair was suspended during wartime years, it has remained a summertime tradition in Cowley County for more than a century.
As part of the fair’s 100th anniversary celebration, Becky and John Conway will present a chuckwagon cooking demonstration at 1 p.m. Saturday in the big tent area of the west campgrounds, where visitors can sample traditional chuckwagon fare while supplies last.
Popular Fair
Participation remains strong across the fair’s livestock divisions, with nearly 3,000 entries from more than 300 exhibitors. LaGrone said fitting all of the animals into the barns becomes a challenge every year.
“It’s Tetris to try and fit them all in there,” she said.
Befort said the fair board has also worked to keep entertainment affordable despite rising costs. Early bird tickets for the Easton Corbin concert are available for $35 before increasing to $45 at the gate.
All-event grandstand passes, which include every grandstand event except the concert, are also available for $35 through 5:59 p.m. Thursday before increasing to $50.
“We’re still paying the bills and making the money,” Befort said, referring to the fair board’s effort to keep the event affordable while still covering the costs of putting on the annual fair.
For tickets and information, visit the fair’s website.
