Exiting new attractions land at 2018 Kansas State Fair
Hutchinson, KS – A variety of new events, contests, and attractions will be found at the 2018 Kansas State Fair.
Guided barn tours, laser light shows and a butterfly house are just a few of the interesting and exciting new features that can be found at the 2018 Kansas State Fair.
“This year the fairgrounds will host some incredibly fun attractions we’ve not seen before,” said Joy Whitman, of the Kansas State Fair. “We can hardly wait for the fair to get here, so everyone can enjoy these new features.”
Among the biggest changes this year is the “Moo U” barn tours. These guided trips through the fairgrounds barns will take about 45 minutes each, and will be available all 10 days of the fair. These tours will change the way you view livestock! With interesting and fun facts about various animals, and professional guides who keep the conversation fun and informational, this is a stop that should be near the top of your list. (www.mootours.com)
The Butterfly Experience is an enclosed butterfly garden, where children and adults can walk among fluttering butterflies and watch caterpillars munch on plants, all while learning about the life cycle of a butterfly. Even though this exhibit is new to the Kansas State Fair, it’s been a fan favorite across the country for many years. http://thebutterflyexperience.net
“The Butterfly Experience is something I’m really excited to see come to the Kansas State Fair,” Whitman said. “I know that parents are just going to love bringing their kids in here over and over again.”
The Timberwork’s Lumberjack Show likewise has been a popular feature at fairs across the country, and this year fans of the Kansas State Fair can enjoy it as well. This show will feature a variety of lumberjack competitions, such as logrolling, speed climbing, axe throwing, speed carving, hot saw, and the always exciting springboard chop. For an action-packed display of skill and talent, be sure to catch one of the three shows during each day of the fair. www.timberworkslumberjackshow.com
On Sept. 7,8, and 9, the NexTech Wireless Grandstand will light up after each night’s main event, thanks to an encore laser light show. This show, featuring mesmorizing shapes and patterns, will play along with popular music to create a dynamic late night experience for fairgoers.
Anyone simply wondering around the fairground might stumble across the newest roving attraction, the Street Drum Corps. This high-energy group of percussionists relies on various “street items” suck as buckets and steel barrels, to produce a unique and mesmerizing sound. https://www.streetdrumcorps.com/fairs/
For children, the popular Kiddie Land stop will offer more fun than ever before. A variety of new inflatable fun stations, mazes, a tower of terror, face painting and temporary tattoos and fun “twisted” balloons, will provide hours of fun for kids.
Even the traditional cooking competitions that fairs are known for are getting infused with new ideas this year.
There’s a Flapjack Flipping contest, a creative cream pie competition for youth, a grilled cheese sandwich competition, the best “King and Queen” food contest, and a bread sculpture contest.
“Our staff came up with some really fun and creative ways to re-imagine our food competitions,” Whitman said. “We can’t wait to see what people come up with in these new areas – and we think it’s going to be so much fun for everyone.”
Additionally, there are a number of new competitive divisions – including photography, quilting, clothing, fine arts, livestock and youth art – that will open the world of fair competition to entirely new groups of people.
For more information contact Joy Whitman at joy.whitman@ks.gov or 800-362-3247 or visit www.kansasstatefair.com