Never-ending fun of a fair

An exposition like the McClain County Free Fair doesn’t just happen.

It requires experience, initiative, a roll-up-your-sleeves work ethic and plenty of behind-the-scenes people to pull it off and draw in the public for three days running.

Trust us, if the fair isn’t on your must see list for this week, you need to take another look at your priorities and then head to the fairgrounds.

There’s something new to see and sample every day.

So who are the folks who make it all happen?

First, there’s the McClain County Free Fair Association, more commonly known as the fair board.

Members are Scott Carroll, Lyndell West, Drew Jervis, Crystal Gill-Bennett, Peggy Christian, Brenda Gladney, Jeff Evans, Paul Waitman and Tracey Barton.

The fair premium book gives special recognition to many more from county commissioners to agriculture education teachers.

The fair manager is Johnny Roberts. Superintendents are Emily Taylor, 4-H Building exhibits; Justin McDaniel, cattle; Evans, swine and livestock judging;  Jervis, swine; Johnny Files, poultry; Melinda Tague, sheep; Brandon Morgan, market goats; Spence Bell, horse show; Tammy Elliott, rabbits and OHCE; and Christian, open class.

Agriculture education  teachers in the county are Erica Keen, Doug Presgrove, Jervis, Evans, Morgan and Tague.

County commissioners are Glen Murray, Wilson Lyles and Terry Daniel.

Tuesday and Wednesday were spent checking in exhibits and judging some.

Today (Thursday) is the first full day of activities for fairgoers. And a full day it is.

Today

8:30 a.m. - Horse and Livestock Judging Contests (separate divisions for grades 3-6, 7-9 and 10-12)

10:30 a.m. – Tractor Driving Contest, Youth Cornhole Contest (separate divisions for Cornhole teams 12 years and younger, 13-15 years and 16-19 years, still in school)

1 p.m. – Pie, Cake & Salsa judging

4:30 p.m. – Stick Horse Rodeo (separate divisions for ages 3-4 and 5-6 years)

5 p.m. – Kiddie Tractor Pull (for ages 4-12 years; registration 30 minutes prior to contest)

5:30 p.m. – Bean Supper & Ice Cream Social (sponsors Heart of Oklahoma Kiwanis and McClain Bank)

6 p.m. – Pie, Cake & Salsa Auction

10 p.m. – All livestock in place

FRIDAY

7:30 to 9 a.m. – Livestock Weigh-in

9 a.m. – Horse Show, halter and performance

9 a.m. to noon – School Children’s Day Tours, Chuckwagon Sampling

2 p.m. – Horse Show, speed events

SATURDAY

8 a.m. - Swine Show

9 a.m. – Poultry Show, Sheep Show

9 a.m. to noon – Dutch Oven Cooking Contest (separate divisions, under 18 years and 18 years and older)

10 a.m. – Rabbit Show, Market Goat Show

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Car Show

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Chuckwagon Sampling

Noon – Cattle Show

Livestock will be released at the conclusion of their species’ showmanship competition. Building exhibits will be released at 3 p.m.