All eyes are on Hutchinson at 11 a.m. this morning as we meet at the Peoples Bank and Trust Arena to launch the 112th annual Kansas State Fair.
It has been a great year for the fair and we still have one third of 2025 ahead of us. Much has been accomplished with improvement projects on the drawing board which will take us to the end of this decade.
On August 9, no less than 650 State Fair supporters were seated in the Meadowlark Building for the 20th annual Boots and Bling. Nearly 170 live and silent auction items went home to the highest bidder.
Boots and Bling started on a shoestring in 2005 with 175 attendees and has grown four times in the two decades to follow, a testimonial to dozens of volunteers who stuck with it to make it one of Kansas’ most summertime events.
Other State Fair success stories include the 1861 Club, a venue where an increasing number of individuals and companies are booking for everything from wedding receptions to corporate meetings.
On the north side of the fairgrounds, the Bison Building, a structure not far from its 100th birthday is getting a major facelift. Exterior work includes a new roof, new windows, and efforts to firm up the old bricks. Next year, crews will move inside to make the interior suitable for year-round usage.
For the next 10 days, fairgoers will have multiple dining options including noodles and meat loaf to tacos.
Those with a sweet tooth can stop at the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation Merchandise Store on the Midway to purchase a shirt and cap and while there buy a bag or more of taffy. At last year’s fair, while walking the grounds, I received more questions regarding the taffy vendor, who retired in 2019. Well, this year taffy is back. You can purchase a bag of taffy for $10 or three for $25. Who can beat a deal like that?
Fairgoers on Monday through Wednesday will be serenaded by more than 6,000 band members from throughout Kansas. As one who assists with the bands every year I am increasingly impressed with Kansas’ musical talent.
Those into a little extra fun on the final day of the fair are invited to compete in the Pronto Pup Eating Contest, which gets underway September 15 at noon in the Peoples Bank and Trust Arena.
I would be remiss if I did not say a special word about the Kansas Highway Patrol, which will send approximately 50 troopers to protect fairgoers. The Highway Patrol was established in 1937 under legislation signed by Governor Walter Huxman, who was coincidentally from Hutchinson. The Highway Patrol troopers have assisted with providing safety for fairgoers for many decades.
See you at the fair and let us create more memories to last for the remainder of our lifetime.
-Richard Shank
Kansas State Fair Ambassador
Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation Board Member
About the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation
The Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation (KFF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Founded in 2003, KFF’s mission is to further the renovation, construction, preservation and beautification of the Kansas State Fairgrounds with a vision of inspiring excellence and understanding of Kansas agriculture, industry and culture through the Kansas State Fair, activities, educational programs and opportunities. The Foundation exists to enrich the unforgettable memories and traditions people experience only at the Kansas State Fair and at the 500+ events on the Fairgrounds year-round.
