By Brenna Eller
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The first day of the Kansas State Fair starts today and because it is Young at Heart Day, adults ages 55 and older will get in for $2 at the gates. The day is sponsored by Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.
For young adults (those between 13 and 55) admission is $10. For children, (ages 6-12) it is $6, and for those with a Military ID, admission is $4. The gates don’t open today until 11 a.m. and it is free if you go in before that time for an early event. Tickets will be required for entry after 11.
Whether you come to the fair for the food, the livestock shows, or come for the variety of entertainment shows, there are activities for all ages to enjoy.
At the Pride of Kansas Building, you will find the great Butter Sculpture, Floriculture Exhibits and if you stick around, there is a Scarecrow Judging at 2 p.m.
If you’re at the Domestic Arts Building, today there will be an “It’s All About the Bread” contest at 1 p.m. and a Homemade Ice Cream & Topping Judging at 3 p.m.
For any 4-H goers and livestock lovers, there is a full day of events at the Expo Center, Prairie Pavillion, Birthing Center and Sheep, Swine, and Goat Building. There will be a Draft Horse Show will be at noon and another begins at 2 p.m., then the Champion Livestock Show is at 1:30 p.m., the 4H/FFA Swine Showmanship is at 2 p.m., the 4H Sheep Showmanship is at 3 p.m. and the 4H/FFA Beef Showmanship will begin at 3:30 p.m.
Moo U-Guided Barn Tours will be given from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and again from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The tours will go on all week long as well.
There will be a lot of entertainers today, starting at 11 a.m. with Glenda and Mike’s Magic and Ventriloquism Show at the Lowen Corporation Stage at Lake Talbott. Also, at 11 a.m., there will be an Opening Ceremony at the Peoples Bank and Trust Arena. Ron Diamond Hypnotist will put on a show later at the Arena at 1 p.m. Before that, Kenny Ahern will have a comedy show at the Family Variety at 12:30 p.m. At 7 p.m., the Great Plains Jazz Orchestra will perform at the recently restored Capper Building.
There are many other acts and performances today, so be sure to check out all of the entertainers on the 2023 Kansas State Fair Visitor Guide.
Fairground Rides: The Big Slide costs $3 per person or 4 for $10, the State Fair Boat Ride and Sky Ride are both $5 and the State Fair Railroad and Ye Old Mill are $4. The rides will open as early as 9 a.m. (the Ye Old Mill opens at 10 a.m.) and most will close at 7:30 p.m. (Sky Ride and Old Mill close at 10 p.m.)
Midway Rides: Today is a Wristband Day, which starts at 3 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m. Rides are 3-5 tickets per ride. Wristbands are $35 (except for Dillons Day on Sept. 11). You can ride any Midway ride as many times as you want on ONE wristband day.
The main concert tonight is NEEDTOBREATHE at the Nex-Tech Grandstand at 7:30 p.m.
For more information, visit www.kansasstatefair.com.
