Gate Admission: $4 After 4 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 11
Anytime after 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11, gate admission is only $4 for all ages.
Electrical Safety Demonstration Sparks Fairgoers’ Interest
9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Ad Astra Pavilion
Kansas Electric Cooperatives and Touchstone Energy Cooperatives of Kansas are co-sponsoring a high-voltage line safety demonstration at the Fairgrounds.
Kansas Electric Cooperative linemen will present the interactive demonstration using real electric equipment and their “volunteer” stick man to show the importance of education and public safety around power lines. The presentation informs Fairgoers of safety precautions, protective gear linemen use and what happens if a person comes in contact with an energized line.
“It is important we use electricity safely and that everyone knows the proper precautions to take,” said Brian Dreiling, Manager of Energy Services at Midwest Energy. “That is what we encourage during the demonstration at the State Fair.”
The high voltage safety demonstration coincides with Kansas’ Largest Classroom lesson plan “Basics of Electricity: Completing the Circuit,” making it a great stop for class field trips.
Rub-A-Dub-Dub, What’s in the Tub?
Daily, Agriculture Education Exhibit Building
Watch as the Grand Drive species are given baths by FAA members from across the state of Kansas. Just like humans, the animals are washed with soap and some, such as the steers, are even blow-dried.
Mary Kane, Executive Director of Kansas FAA at Kansas State University, says, “The animals often get used to it and look forward to the wash. The demonstration is another way to interact with the animals rather than just in stalls or shows.”
Don’t miss out on this fun event, held daily at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the Agriculture Education Exhibit Building.
Dr. Goddard’s Lab Molds Young Minds
Daily, Do Art Building
Dr. Goddard’s Lab is an interactive live show about the history of rocketry, with some explosive demonstrations involving common chemicals (hydrogen, liquid oxygen), including rocket fuel.
“We hope to ignite the spark of inspiration in those who see the show, so they’ll continue to explore STEM at the Cosmosphere and in their own academic endeavors,” said Tracey Tomme, Cosmosphere Director of Education. “It’s exciting to show a little piece of what we do at the Cosmosphere at the State Fair ‘living classroom’, where all generations from all over the region can see a little slice of what makes STEM so much fun.”
Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center presents Dr. Goddard’s Lab daily at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Arm Wrestling Championship Winners
The 2014 Arm Wrestling USA/Kansas Championships were held in Gottschalk Park on Sunday, Sept. 8th. The event was part of a series of grand prix competitions that are held by Arm Wrestling USA at state and county fairs across the country.
The Kansas State Fair competition was categorized by seven divisions – five men’s and two women’s. Men’s classes included featherweight (MFW), lightweight (MLW), middleweight (MMW), light heavyweight (MLH) and heavyweight (MH). The women’s classes included lightweight (WLW) and open division (WOP).
MFW (under 144): 1st – Scott Harris – Gladstone, MO; 2nd – Cody Webber – Wichita, KS
MLW (145-169): 1st – Michael Creson – Overland Park, KS; 2nd – Spencer Thompson – Wichita, KS
MMW (170-193): 1st – Matt Tucker – Derby, KS; 2nd – Eric Miller – Hutchinson, KS
MLH (194-219): 1st – Shane McLaughlin – Derby, KS; 2nd – Jared Gagrebin – Huthcinson, KS
MH (above 220): 1st – Mark Nutsch – Derby, KS; 2nd – Devin Gagrebin – Hutchinson, KS
WLW (under 144): 1st – Cheryl Harper – Lecompton, KS; 2nd- Staci Morley – Derby, KS
WOP (above 145): 1st – Katie Hartley – Miltonvale, KS; 2nd – Julie Nutsch – Derby, KS
The competition officially ranked a record 35 competitors. Participants included a pastor (Eric Miller), cheerleader (Staci Morley) and even a former Notre Dame Linebacker (third in men’s heavy).
MIDWAY
Ride of the Day: Ring of Fire
This train takes you for a loop backwards and forwards 60 feet high in the air. So hang on tight and make sure you empty your pockets for this loopy ride!
GRANDSTAND ENTERTAINMENT
Aaron Watson and Jack Ingram Free Concert at the Grandstand Stage
7:30 p.m., U.S. Cellular Grandstand
Aaron Watson
Aaron Watson prides himself on a long career inspired by the greats of country music – George Strait, Chris LeDoux, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. Looking up to these musicians has helped Watson accumulate many accolades and critical accomplishments over the course of his career; including selling over 150,000 records, seven No. 1 singles on the Texas Music Chart and four albums that debuted on the Billboard charts.
After a series of records, including one of gospel songs titled Barbed Wire Halo and a dual disc CD/DVD titled Aaron Watson LIVE: Deep in the Heart of Texas, Watson released Real Good Time, the pinnacle of his musical tenure thus far. He recruited names like Willie Nelson and Elizabeth Cook to sing with him on “Honky Tonk Kid” and “Leather and Lace,” respectively. The album includes full-force fun swingers (“Real Good Time), tongue-in-cheek romps (the satirical “Hey Y’all”) and slow, heartfelt tunes (“July In Cheyenne”).
Watson’s family, fans and faith inspire him and his music. Real Good Time serves as a testament to music’s power to lift us from our lowest moments and bring joy and salvation. He was encouraged to create the release after the loss of his youngest daughter, Julia Grace, just shortly after her birth.
For more information on Aaron Watson, visit www.aaronwatson.com.
Jack Ingram
Winner of the 2008 Academy of Country Music “Best New Male Vocalist” award was just the beginning of fame for Jack Ingram. Now, as if to validate and amplify that truth, Ingram remains at the forefront of country music with the album Big Dreams & High Hopes, the seventh studio disc of his career and his third for Nashville maverick indie-label Big Machine Records.
Ingram’s music career started during his college years at Southern Methodist University when he sang two Willie Nelson songs at an open mic night. It didn’t take long for Ingram and his Beat Up Ford Band to pack the bars of Dallas and Houston. Nashville’s Rising Tide label soon signed him, re-issuing his first two independent albums, a live disc, and 1997’s Livin’ or Dyin’. When Rising Tide went out of business, Ingram found a home at Sony’s boutique Lucky Dog label.
Shortly after, Ingram met Scott Brochetta, a veteran country-record promoter who’d launched his own label, Big Machine Records. Through their relationship, Ingram released “Where You Are,” the first single of his career to reach No. 1. The album Wherever You Are, a mostly live project, was followed by 2008’s This Is It and now Big Dreams & High Hopes.
Big Dreams & High Hopes includes the textured and contemplative “Seeing Stars,” sung in ethereal tandem with Patty Griffin, and the swimming hole party anthem “Barefoot and Crazy,” which quickly became a radio smash and a soundtrack for the hot summer of 2009. It also helped produce the Top 20 single “That’s A Man.” Ingram worked with Jeffrey Steele and Tom Hambridge to write the swaying and satisfying “Not Giving Up On Me.” The album also highlights a refreshed version of “Barbie Doll,” recorded as a duet with Dierks Bentley.
For more information on Jack Ingram, visit www.jackingram.net.