138th Annual Linn County Fair begins Saturday

MOUND CITY -- The 138th version of the Linn County Fair, one of the oldest fairs in Kansas, begins Saturday and continues through Aug. 8.

"The biggest news about this year's fair is that apparently we are the only county fair in Kansas with both a PRCA-approved rodeo and an Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pullers Association-sanctioned pull", fair board president Shane Wakefield, Mound City, said. "At fair board meetings last winter, we considered less-expensive options because of the pending economy downturn and (the fact that) rain decreased attendance at two night shows last year. However, with input from sponsors and the community, the board voted to stay the course that has worked for years with no increase in admission prices."

Motor Sports kick off the first weekend of the 2009 Linn County Fair and Rodeo. The Queen Coronation, at 7:30 p.m., precedes the Demolition Derby Saturday night. Three girls, Alyson Staton, Pleasanton; Catlin Troth, LaCygne; and Jessica Walters, Prescott, are competing for the title.

Demolition Derby contestants will compete in four classes: compacts, mini vans and trucks, 80's and newer stock and modified old iron. The derby will feature more than $2,200 in payout to the winners.

The "Win a Derby Car Raffle" has been added to this year's derby. A fully-prepared, ready-to-drive demo derby car will be awarded to a lucky ticket holder drawn after the Queen Coronation. The winner of the raffle derby car can either drive it themselves in the demolition derby or designate a driver. The driver must have a valid driver's license and be at least 18 years old or have a parents' signed permission. Raffle tickets are $10 each and can be purchased from queen candidates, fair board members or at Morse's Auto Salvage, Centerville. Tickets will also be available at the arena prior to the start of the demolition derby at 8 p.m.

The Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pull will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday. Classes include 4x 4 Pro-Stock Pickups, Light Super Stock, Limited Pro Stock and Modified Tractors.

"The Outlaws are the leading and most recognized pullers in the mid-west. Their schedule is favorable to us as they will be in McLouth on Saturday night before us and at Enid, Okla., on Monday, so we will get all of their top contestants at Mound City", tractor pull chairman Brent Paddock, Mound City, said.

The 63rd Annual Linn County PRCA Rodeo will be held, Aug. 7 and 8 at 8 p.m. both nights. The rodeo will be produced by New Frontier Rodeo Company. New Frontier Rodeo was formed six years ago by Jimmy Crowther, Gypsum, and Jerry Nelson, Winnie, Texas. Their firm was represented by 15 head of bucking horses and bulls at the 2008 National Finals Rodeo and 10 bulls at the 2008 Professional Bull Riders Finals in Las Vegas.

Three-time Prairie Circuit Finals announcer Scott Grover, Minneapolis, Kan., returns to host the rodeo. Allan Dessel, Cherokee, Iowa, will make his first appearance at Mound City as specialty act and rodeo clown. Dessel has been selected three times for the Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo, Louisville, Ky. Bull fighting duties will be handled by Wade Kunz, Garden City, and first-year pro Aaron Ferguson, High River, Alberta, Canada.

Mid-week activities include mutton busting at 7 p.m., Wednesday, a draft horse pull at 7 p.m. Thursday and a gospel music show, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Pride Amusements Carnival will be on the grounds through Aug. 2.

The 4-H livestock judging schedule includes horse shows at 7 p.m. Tuesday and 8:30 a.m. Aug. 7. The sheep and goat show will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday with the swine show at 7:30 p.m. that night. The beef show will take place at 8 a.m. Thursday.

The complete 2009 Linn County Fair schedule is at www.linncountyfair.org.