Hutchinson ? Hurry, hurry, hurry! Step right up, folks – to the altar.

A lot of people attending this year’s Kansas State Fair will go home with prizes and souvenirs. One couple will go home with each other, as husband and wife.

Internet voting has started in the “Marriage on the Midway” contest, sponsored by the fair, two local radio stations and North American Midway Entertainment.

One of the 10 eligible couples, selected from more than 20 who applied, will be married Sept. 9 at the fair. Voting began Tuesday and runs through Aug. 30 on the fair’s Web site, www.kansasstatefair.com, Special Events Director Mary Holmes said, with the winning couple announced Aug. 31. The fair runs Sept. 8-17.

In one case, a couple made the finals even before officially getting engaged. Rod Jackson, 34, of Hutchinson, hadn’t yet popped the question to his girlfriend, Christina Rose, before entering the contest. He hadn’t even bought a ring.

Then, he found out the two were among those selected by fair officials for the final round.

“It was all kind of quick,” Jackson said. “I went and got rings last night and went home and proposed.”

Rose, 33, accepted. The two have been together almost one year after meeting on a blind date.

The contest, which also is sponsored by radio stations KHUT and KHMY, will pay for the bride’s dress and the groom’s tuxedo, said Randy McKay, assistant programming director for the stations.

The package also includes flowers, a cake, four hours of free carnival rides and free food for the winning couple and up to 100 guests, along with other prizes for the bride and groom.

“Free Pronto Pups for everybody,” Jackson said, invoking the fair’s signature snack food.