Derrick Miller
The Duncan Banner
DUNCAN —
Day One of the Stephens County Free Fair was busy. But what’s to be expected when people are entering numerous items to be judged?
The first day of the fair began with people waiting to get their master numbers. From there, people could enter their vegetables, quilts, canning items and various other items into the fair.
Karen McCowan was one person who has entered items into the fair in previous years and was doing the same this year. McCowan entered her salsa and her mother’s jelly.
“It’s fun getting out with everybody,” McCowan said. “We get to see how each one does it differently.”
McCowan said she enjoys canning and is involved in the Rock Creek Home Extension, which is part of the reason she enters items in the fair.
It’s not just adults who show up with their items during Open Class entry period.
As with previous years, the Stephens County 4-H took in many entries for the fair. Will Bowles, Stephens County 4-H president, said many of the items initially included in the fair were things done during the 4-H summer camp, but many non-camp items were being included as numbers were supplied to the youths.
Bowles, a Central High sophomore, entered 25 items in the fair; five of those being display boards. He said he had a lot of fun getting ready for the free fair and said it was worth the hard work.
One of Bowles’ display boards features the Ronald McDonald House, a service project he took on in his community and school in Central High. He took donated items from all grades at the school for the Ronald McDonald House. He said 641 items were collected.
He got the idea to take on the service project after the county 4-H visited the Ronald McDonald House. The county 4-H also collects pop tabs every year.
“We want to collect 400 (pounds),” Bowles said.
The Stephens County Free Fair will continue today, Friday and Saturday at the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center.
— Derrick Miller is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 160, or via e-mail at derrick.miller@duncanbanner.com.
