After a heavy marketing blitz by the three long-distance companies competing for business here, only about 30 percent of Lawrence telephone customers had chosen a long-distance carrier. The remaining 70 percent had been assigned to AT&T by default. Southwestern Bell’s customer relations manager was encouraging the undecided customers to make their own decisions within the next six months, after which they would not be able to change their long-distance carrier without paying a fee.

Attendance at the Douglas County Fair during the previous week had been “tremendous,” according to fair board president Tom Patchen. Estimates were between 35,000 and 40,000 for the week’s events. Patchen felt that the good soaking rain just before the fair had raised the spirits of the farm community, whose members were “ready to have a good time.” Popular events had included the first-ever county barbecue cookoff, the Demolition Derby, and a Family Night during which patrons could ride the carnival rides all night for five dollars.