If you or your family are visiting the fabulous city of Emporia during the late summer, I would highly suggest that you stay during the time of the amazing Lyon County Fair! This is a time in the community of fun and enjoyment, before the fall comes and you return to your busy lives with school and work. This past year (2017) on the dates, July 27-August 14, the Lyon County Fair was in full swing with the carnival, shows, entries to view, and animals to visit. During this time a large margin of the community comes out and joins all the fun and I interviewed certain residents that are involved during this time to get their true feelings about the fair.

     First I talked to Darby Hauff. Hauff is in 4-H and participates in many things involving the fair. The first question I asked her was; What is your favorite event to watch or attend? Hauff answered with, “I didn’t do a lot [of activities] but I enjoyed the working the 4-H Dinner.” Shortly after I asked her: Have you ever entered something into the Fair? If so what and how did you place? Her reply, “This year I entered a dress and it got Reserved Grand Champion.  I also entered cherry dot cookies they got a purple ribbon.” Both of these ribbons are exceptional and very difficult to attain. Hauff did very well this year. Lastly, I inquired her with this last question; Do you think that the fair is a good or bad event in the Lyon County community and why? “I think that the Lyon County Fair is a good event, because it will give the kids in 4-H something to learn [or obtain] about their project,” answered Hauff.

     After I interviewed Darby Hauff, I went on to inquire Olivia Huebner another Lyon County Resident who has attended this event many times before. The first question I asked Huebner was very similar to the one I asked Hauff; what is your favorite event to watch or attend at the fair or which would you like to attend? Her reply was, “The Ferris Wheel.” This is just one of the many rides and attractions at the Carnival, a very popular part of the fair. Secondly, I asked Huebner; Have you ever entered something into the fair? If so what and how did you place? Huebner’s answer was, “I have never entered something in the fair, but I wish to next year.” Huebner enjoys baking and photography. Hopefully if she enters something next year it does well. Lastly, I asked her; Do you think the Lyon County Fair is a good or bad event in the community and why? “I think it is a good event, because it is a lot of fun, and gives people who enter things a good experience.” This is the last of the interview with Huebner, who provided some great input. I hope this helped you get a good idea of the Lyon County Fair.

     Now I will be telling you about some of my personal favorite events that I would highly recommend to you to try. First, I would like to tell you about the carnival. The carnival comes every year and always has a good variety of rides for many ages. Some of the good rides for younger children include, The Merry-go-round, The Motorcycles and Jeeps, and the Helicopters. Rides I would recommend for the bigger daredevils are, The Spider, Zero Gravity, The Ring of Fire, and Rockstar. I haven’t ridden all of the daredevil rides, but I have heard from friends and family that they are fun and enjoyable! Certain rides I would recommend for just about anyone are, The Ferris Wheel, The Scrambler, The Slides, and the Dragons. The prices for this attraction can vary. One option is, you can buy a wristband which allows you to ride all of the rides until the night ends. While another option is buying tickets, which you use to get into each ride. Both are good options it just depends on how much you want to spend, the amount of rides you will be riding and the time you will want to be there.  Also, around the Carnival are many different vendors with a variety of delicious foods and drinks. Personally, I would recommend the funnel cakes. They are like heaven on a plate! This is just my personal opinion of course though.

     Another possible event you might want to consider going to is the concert. Most every year there is a concert that is put on. This past year, 2017, Stoney LaRue performed, though it was sadly rained out part way through the concert. A lot of times you can buy the tickets from someone participating in 4-H or at the Grandstand, which is at the door.

     I went to the Demolition Derby this past year and really enjoyed myself! If you don’t already know, a Demolition Derby is where in a dirt pit old run down, beat up cars bash and smash into each other and the last ones standing within the limited amount of time win or sometimes come back to compete in a Championship round! If you are planning to go to the demolition derby, I strongly recommend that you bring hearing protection because the noise of the cars motors is ear-splitting. You might be thinking that this event could be dangerous, and it is, but the Lyon County Fair takes proper precaution by having an ambulance there just in case, as well they have referees and water in case a car catches on fire which happens every now and then, but is quickly put out.

     While you are at the Lyon County Fair, you should most definitely stop inside the Anderson Building to see all of the fair entries. You can see the open class (which is open to the public) and the 4-H entries and results. There are many different options on what you can enter. Some of the more popular items include, sewing, baking and cooking, photography, woodworking, and antiques. Every entry is judged and gets a ribbon if it placed high enough.  Another thing you can enter into the fair is livestock. Many farmers enter, cattle, pigs, poultry, goats, sheep, and rabbits. The animals are on display, and you can see them outside at the Lyon County Fairgrounds. You will immediately notice them and can walk past and see them.

     Finally, you might want to quickly stop into the Bowyer Building to see some of the booths set up by Lyon County organizations and businesses. There are many different vendors with a lot of great information to share with you. This is a fun thing to do if the weather isn’t looking great or just in general. Also, many of the vendors have free samples, coupons and other items!

      I hope that this has provided you with some information about the Lyon County Fair. I interviewed some Lyon County residents to get their input on the event. I also told you about some of the different things you might want to do there. If you are planning to be in Emporia in the late summer, I would definitely recommend stopping here to attend this event. It is fun for the whole family! I hope you’ll be there next year!