HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Legislators Day is sponsored by Cox Communications.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Celebrity Grape Stomping
3 p.m., Nex-Tech Wireless Stage at Lake Talbott
Join in on the tenth annual grape stomp where local celebrities and fair visitors will have the chance to stomp grapes in celebration of the growth in Kansas grape and wine industries. You won’t want to miss contestants battle it out to be the celebrity grape stomping champions!
Midwest Ford Grand Drive: A Grand Time on the Green Chips
6 p.m., Prairie Pavilion
Each year, thousands of Kansas 4H and FFA members compete in the Prairie Pavilion at the Kansas State Fair. The Grand Drive features beef, sheep, swine and goats. Spectators will witness the best youth livestock show in Kansas. Each contestant is striving to “Get on the Green Chips” at the Midwest Ford Dealers Grand Drive.
The Grand Champion and Reserve Champion will be awarded for beef, sheep, swine and goats at the Prairie Pavilion at 6 p.m.
New to the Midwest Ford Dealers Grand Drive is the announcement of the Ron Holland Scholarship winner. Ron Holland established the Ron Holland Scholarship, in memory of his wife Carolyn. The Scholarship will be awarded to one of the top applicants at the Grand Drive.
Beard and Mustache Competition: Calling all facial hair, mustaches and goatees
1 p.m.; Nex-Tech Wireless Stage at Lake Talbott
Join the Kansas City Beard and Mustache club as they host their first-ever beard and mustache competition at the Kansas State Fair. From chinstraps and goatees to side burns and Fu Manchu, all types of facial hair will be displayed. There will even be a fake facial hair contest for the ladies to participate. The goal of the club is to promote positive facial hair awareness while contributing to the betterment of the community. Join in on the fun and show off your awesome facial hair. Don’t have any facial hair? No problem, come watch and vote for your favorite contestant!
Mutton Bustin’: Wool Riders, It’s Time to “Bust” a Move
7 p.m., Expo Center
Looking for a Mutton Bustin’ good time at the Kansas State Fair? Come out and see little riders, ages three to six years old, “bust a move as they perform and reenact the rodeo ritual of bull riding in miniature form on wooly, white sheep. The Mutton Bustin’ Championship will be at 7 p.m. in the Expo Center. Contestants’ judging criteria include time, distance and style during the ride and dismount. In addition to first, second and third place awards, a special judges choice award will also be given.
Toddler Games:
Toddlers go to Driving School
Gottschalk Park, 10 a.m.
Do you wish your toddler could drive to daycare? Be sure to bring them to Gottschalk Park at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12 where they will receive driving lessons and be awarded their first driver’s license at the Kansas State Fair. This fun event is free to all toddlers and fun for the whole family to watch. The kids will learn how to make turns, back up and even parallel park.
MIDWAY
Ride of the Day: Freak Out
This ride is a giant pendulum masterpiece that swings fairgoers up to 127 degrees while revolving at a speed of up to 15 rpm’s. Try not to “freak out!”
NEX-TECH WIRELESS GRANDSTAND ENTERTAINMENT
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts Performing at the Nex-Tech Wireless Grandstand
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts,
7:30 p.m., Nex-Tech Wireless Grandstand
Originator. Innovator. Visionary. Joan Jett fills these roles as the leader of the hard-rocking Blackhearts. She has had eight platinum and gold albums and nine Top 40 singles, including the classics “Bad Reputation,” “I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll,” “I Hate Myself For Loving You” and “Crimson and Clover.”
Not only does she sit at the head of her own independent label, Blackheart Records, but Jett has made additional strides. She has acted in movies and television, including 1987’s Light Of Day and in a Tony-nominated Broadway musical, “The Rocky Horror Show.” Jett even appeared on “Oprah” and “Law and Order.”
Her accomplishments don’t stop there. As a producer, she has overseen albums by Bikini Kill, Circus Lupus and the Germs’ LA punk masterpiece, GI. Her music has become a permanent force in mainstream culture. A version of “I Hate Myself for Loving You” has been NBC’s Sunday Night Football theme song, performed this past season by Carrie Underwood, and her music is heard in countless films and TV shows including “Easy A,” “The Runaways,” “Shrek,” “Baby Mama” and more. In 2015, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.