Wichita County Fair

Another fair has come and gone. This one was record-breaking as far as the sale of ride and game tickets are concerned. Many of us have said that there are getting to be more and more strangers at our fair. There is no doubt that our little fair is becoming more and more popular with each passing year. Our little town really swells up for the few days of our fair. All of this poplulairty is credited to our Wichita County Amusement Association volunteers who work MANY hours to set up and run the carnival rides and games and then to tear everything back down again. Many people do not realize that these people work on rides throughout the entire year to perfect them for the next years. Kudos to all of you! They admit that none of this would be possible without the support of the many people who help run these rides, games and to work in the food booths, etc. Many of us work all 4 days of the fair. I am proud of all of us who take precious time out of our schedules to help create a wonderful time for all children and adults who want to join the fun! I doubt if there are many carnivals across the United States who still offer 25 cent rides. Amazing!!!

Three new rides made their debut in our carnival this year. They were the new trucks that people of ALL ages loved either from getting to ride the trucks or just being able to watch the kids in the trucks. Too cute! Then we had the real thrillers--the Paratrooper and the Round-up. The lines to ride them seemed endless at times. Two of the new rides were purchased from the former Joyland Amusement Park in Wichita, Ks. Through the years, vandals had broken them into pieces. Then, along came our Association who brought them to their new home, fixed them, painted them and then set them up for their new life here. It was hard to believe that they had once been ready for the salvage yard. Their previous owner and his wife from Wichita made it to Leoti for the first night of the fair just so that they could see them in operation again. Both of them were overjoyed to see what our people had done for them and to see everyone's eyes light up when it was their turn to ride! And, of course, our other rides were all set up and going also for the fair.

This year, people remarked about the steady lines of people driving from Scott City to our fairgrounds each night. Some Scott Countians even commented that many of them don't even go to their own carnival. They just wait until our fair when the rides are very inexpensive and they know that the ride operators are people whom they can trust to be around their children.

Many former classes had reunions this year. People came from far and near to reunite with one another.

This year, people were disappointed that we had to close the fair down early two different nights because of rain. Everyone was so pleased that we had such mild temperatures though.

Once I know when the 2010 fair will be, I will let you know. In the meantime, I am getting ready to forward some fair pictures to people on my email list. If you would like to receive these pics, please send me a comment or email me at the following address:

slblaus@gmail.com

Who knows? You may even see yourself or someone you love in these pictures!

Have a blessed day!!!

VLE-B