Rogers County Fair Celebrating 99th Year

Oklahoma native Wade Hayes will headline the 2013 Rogers County Fair.

A fireworks show will kick off the opening night of the 99th annual Rogers County Fair on Thursday, September 12 at 9 p.m. According to Lisa Rogers, marketing coordinator, the show will be visible for miles. “We will be setting them off on the hill behind Claremore Expo,” says Lisa.

    Since 1914, heading to the fair means concerts, ­carnival rides, midway games, fair food, livestock shows and a host of other family-friendly activities. Fair-goers won’t be disappointed this year as a variety of entertainment is on tap for September 12-15, both inside and outside the Claremore Expo Center at 400 Veterans Pkwy. Admission is free.

    Oklahoma native and country music artist Wade Hayes will perform on Saturday night on the “2 Works for You” main stage located outside the Expo Center. Claremore native James Muns will open the show for Hayes, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free.

    “We’re very excited to have Wade Hayes performing back in his home state,” says Lisa.

    The carnival, provided by Fun Time Shows in Missouri, will open Thursday and Friday nights, on Saturday from 1 to 10 p.m., and on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Wristbands can be purchased each night or tickets can be bought separately. “Last year, the wristbands were $20 per night,” she says.

    Beginning at 2 p.m. on Thursday and throughout the event, Justin Harrell will be hosting a goat roping for all ages. The popular event includes practice sessions and a jackpot, which will be held outside by the Expo barns. “You don’t have to be an ­experienced roper,” says Lisa. “The roping is on foot and open to anyone who wants to give it a try. It’s a lot of fun and a popular event.”

    Saws will be buzzing and sawdust flying as chainsaw carvers – new to the fair this year – will be on hand to demonstrate their unique art. Tom and Wendy Zimmer will be demonstrating their craft on Friday and Saturday. “They make some really cool stuff,” says Lisa, “including eagles and bears as well as ­rustic furniture.”

    The Southwest Dairy Farmers mobile classroom will be on site, where fair-goers can experience the milking parlor. “It’s great for kids,” she says, “because it is not only educational but fun for them to see how the milking is done and where it goes.”

    Of course, no fair is ­complete without the 4-H, FFA and open exhibits. The Expo Hall will be open Thursday through Saturday for attendees to visit the ­various displays, including arts and crafts, insects, fabrics and fashions, horticulture, ­photography, wildlife and ­other categories. Entries in each division will be awarded ribbons and cash prizes.

    Expo Hall vendors will also have a variety of ­accessories and homemade goodies available. “We have a Kettle Korn vendor, ­handmade jewelry and other unique handmade items,” says Lisa.

    The Expo will be open Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

    Livestock exhibitions will also kick off on Thursday with the goat show followed by the sheep division. Livestock shows will continue on Friday with the poultry and swine shows. Beef, ­rabbits, horses and dairy cattle will wrap up the livestock shows on Saturday.

    For a complete list of exhibition times and all fair activities, check out www.rogerscountyfair.com. For more information about fair activities or to inquire about being a vendor, contact Lisa Rogers at (918) 341-8688 or by email at eat0@eau0eav0eaw0.

For more information, contact

Rogers County Fair

(918) 341-8688

www.visitclaremore.org