The Chouteau County Fair will be taking place Friday, August 16 through Sunday, August 18. The fair’s theme, “Make the Fair Great.” According to Shirley Embleton, Chouteau County Fair Office Manager, they chose the theme because it’s local participation that makes the fair great. She’s been the office manager for 12 years and wants to invite everyone, “Come and see what is going to happen at the fair. Without you participating the fair wouldn’t be. So, we need you to come, and you’ll be surprised it’s more fun than you’ve given it credit for.”

Entries will be coming in on Thursday between 4-8. “We’d love to see everyone’s entries. We have a new system, an online registration but we can do it the old fashion way too.”

There are free things to do too—mini-golf and paintless paintballs are suitable for all ages. The bounce house is for the young ones, but bingo is for everybody. “Bingo’s been there since the beginning, probably for 107 years.”

Shirley says, “There are two new things this year that are kind of educational. Balloon U which build sculptures using balloons, not just animals and another is Live to See Another Day which is about all sorts of distracted driving.

Golden Harvest Pig Wrestling Contest on Friday. A very popular event. Shirley would like everyone to notice there is a change in the time. It starts at 6:00, not the time the tickets have on them. It is because they want the kids to go first to get cleaned up before it gets chilly out. The Calcutta will take place after the kids are done with their pig wrestling.

Truck pulling contest is open to locals and starts at 7:00 PM Saturday.

Worship service on Sunday starts at 9:00. They hope everyone will remove all the exhibits by 6:00 when the Demolition Derby starts. Herby derby will take place as well.

She also mentioned all the fair food, which makes the fair! Come and eat.

See Full Schedule on Page 6!