photo by: Mike Yoder

Carnival rides draw a crowd on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at the Douglas County Fair. The carnival will operate daily through Saturday, July 31.

Get ready for livestock shows, BMX competitions, the demolition derby and more favorite events as the 2022 Douglas County Fair gets rolling later this month.

Candice Lavalette, executive director of the Douglas County Fair Board, said the fair will have pretty much the same schedule of events as last year and will take advantage of all of the facilities at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St.

“We haven’t added anything big this year,” she said. “The petting zoo, which wasn’t at the zoo last year, is back, so that will be big for the kids. We’re really just looking forward to having a full schedule of events at all the venues after having the virtual fair in 2020 and then last year after the pandemic.”

The fair officially runs from Tuesday, July 26, to Saturday, July 30, but Lavalette said it actually starts for county 4-H’ers on Saturday, July 16, with the annual dog and pet shows. The following week — starting Monday, July 18 — will be filled with 4-H shows, as well as some competitions that are open to everyone in the community, she said.

On July 26, a full day of events kicks off with the first of four daily presidential pie contests, in which county residents will be invited to bring pies from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. to the Dreher Family 4-H Building on the fairgrounds. Each day, a different panel of judges will evaluate the entries; winners will be announced at noon.

The fair gets in full swing Wednesday evening with the arrival of Moore’s Greater Shows Carnival, which will offer rides and games from 6 to 11 p.m. The fair will again feature live music on the fairgrounds stage, with local bands playing Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and Scott Heidner and the Nashville Guys playing from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

“They’re Nashville recording artists, so I know a lot of people are excited about hearing them,” Lavalette said.

There will be evening activities in the Outdoor Arena all five nights of the fair with the same lineup as last year. That includes BMX competitions on Tuesday, a garden-tractor pull on Wednesday and an antique tractor pull on Thursday. All three events are free.

Friday and Saturday are reserved for the fair’s most popular events — the demolition derby, a longtime favorite, is on Friday, and the newer Bull Bash will close out the fair on Saturday night. Admission to these events is $15 regardless of age.

“I think the Bull Bash has established itself as our Saturday show in the Outdoor Arena,” Lavalette said. “It was very popular last year after the pandemic year.”

The beer garden near the blacktop area will also be offered in the evening again this year, Lavalette said.

Vickie Harding, 4-H and youth development agent for Douglas County K-State Extension, said about 400 youngsters will enter projects in the fair this year. Although she didn’t have the final participation numbers at press time, she anticipated it would be the biggest year for participating 4-H’ers and projects since 2019.

“I think there will be with the second full year of getting back into the fair with 4-H families,” she said. “I know the 4-H’ers are excited to get back to the fair.”

4-H’ers have spent hours preparing to show livestock or completing projects in such varied areas as woodworking, photography, sewing, and rocketry for the fair, Harding said. In addition, they will spend hours during the fair grooming animals, preparing displays and sharing knowledge with judges, she said. They will also lend a hand at the 4-H joint concession stand to help raise money to pay for trips to 4-H camp, special events and books for the 4-H book club, she said.

There are 10 community 4-H clubs in Douglas County and four project clubs for those with interests in horses, poultry, dogs and other pets. Lavalette encouraged residents to view the work of the 4-H’ers and engage with them.

“The kids appreciate it when people come to view their work and talk to them about their projects,” she said. “It’s a good way for them to share their excitement about their work.”