Raisin’ the Steaks is 2021 Phillips County Fair theme
With Raisin’ the Steaks as the signature theme for this year’s Phillips County Fair, the activity schedule is falling into place for the July 20-25 event.
Fair board president Kayla Kafka said they were blessed to have a seminormal approach to fair last year in the midst of the COVID-19 restrictions when other area fairs were canceled. But this year, the board is very excited to be back to normal.
She hopes the community will take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy viewing the kids’ projects at the fair, to enjoy each other, and to do something as a community.
Phillips County Fair Queen Josie Schlachter also welcomes the community to the fair. She is excited that the fair board chose to promote the meat industry with this year’s theme.
The theme will be portrayed in the Saturday, July 24, parade, and Mike and Susan Salyards have been selected as grand marshals.
Circus performance added to schedule
A circus performance on Thursday evening, July 22, is one of several new activities coming to this year’s fair. Kafka explained that circus acts without animals will be featured, and they hope it will be a popular new attraction.
Carnival games will be part of the fair fun and will be set up on Friday and Saturday afternoons, July 23 and 24.
Two events are returning to the fair schedule after a several-year hiatus.
These popular return events are stock car racing Friday, July 23, and a tractor pull Sunday afternoon, July 25.
Specialty shows include adult beef showmanship Friday following the beef show; tiny tot shows for bucket calves, sheep, goats, swine and poultry; parade of champions Friday; and a pet show Saturday.
4-H and FFA members will realize the value of their hard work at the Junior Livestock Sale on Saturday afternoon.
Other highlighted evening events include barrel racing Tuesday; Thrashers Rocky Mountain Oyster dinner and cornhole tournament, as well as the ranch rodeo Wednesday; the annual barbecue Friday; and Bulls Gone Wild! bull riding, bullfighting and mutton bustin’ Saturday.
Kids’ games will follow the parade Saturday morning, and a pet show and salsa contest will be held that afternoon.
The Darl Atkins Memorial Horseshoe Pitching Contest is set for Friday and Saturday afternoons, and a community church service will start the day Sunday.
Kafka noted that the brat feed which has traditionally been a Saturday lunchtime event for several years will not be held this year.
The beer garden will be open Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., Thursday at 4 p.m., Friday at 3 p.m. and Saturday at noon. Music in the beer garden will be provided by Half Passed Grass on Friday and Jason Kimble Night Sounds on Saturday.
It is hoped that the 2021 Phillips County Fair will provide something for everyone.