DUNCAN — It’s going to be a big celebration this year when the Stephens County Free Fair opens on Aug. 22. That’s because it’s the 100th year for the county fair — and it’s the Oklahoma Centennial year.

Organizers of the fair have spent two years preparing for this year’s big event, said Fair Manager Orvel Robinson of Marlow.

Robinson said his job has been that of an events producer, seeing that committees are formed and tasks are delegated as much as getting many of the free events scheduled.

“Two years ago, they decided to start building the fair up to attract larger crowds,” Robinson said. “I try to put everything together.”

At first, his job was just to help provide some additional entertainment, but it steamrolled from there.

“I let people do those tasks who have experience,” he said. One of those individuals is Jeanne Bowden, acting general manager of the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center.

Robinson said Bowden has been going full steam.

“We’ve about run Jeanne to death,” he said.

When the county fair opens, there won’t be a lack of entertainment, he noted.

Rattling off a long list, Robinson barely took a breath.

There’s the chuck wagon cookoff, a baby crawling contest, rodeos, concerts, the traditional tractor driving contest, crowning of the Miss Stephens County Fair contestants, a special autograph signing and sale of the Centennial CD, featuring only Stephens County artists, a parade and then the biggest highlight of the fair — a pyrotechnics show inside the new arena, which everyone promises will be air conditioned.

Oh, and Robinson said, this year, the carnival will be the best.

“This year is going to be the biggest and best fair. We’re bringing in the Pride of Texas carnival. It is the biggest and best carnival in the midwest United States,” Robinson said, all with the excitement of a kid himself.

It will be located on the south end of the fairgrounds.

“We’re going to remove the carnival from where it’s been before and use all that for parking. We’re going to need it.”

And, while Robinson is excited about each and every event, he’s most proud of the events that will take place on Saturday night inside the arena. A parade at 5 p.m. will kick off the big show about two hours prior to the true start of the night.

“The big show is Saturday (Aug. 25). There will be pyrotechnics, flames, sparklers. It’s all precision put on by Miller Pro, a big sound company, for it and the concert. Everything will be coordinated with the music and the fireworks and it will be something that’s never been done at the county fair,” he said.

A grand processional will open the rodeo, with plenty of familiar faces.

Immediately following the rodeo, there will be a free concert featuring Ty England.

“This is the only opportunity to put on a giant fair. We’ve gotten some big donations,” Robinson said.

He said that for the Stephens County Centennial CD release, a special show featuring nearly all the artists who contributed will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday. The artists are Laura Gossett, Sweet Assurance, Casey Gordon, Robin Wortham, Munkey Zunkle, Brad Eason, Michael Carter, Cathy Hazel, Dawn Anita Plumlee and Erica Robinson. Also, Joe Diffie contributed to the CD, but Robinson said Diffie is on tour so he won’t be available for the fair and show. The artists will autograph the CDs that are purchased that evening. The CDs are $10 each and the proceeds will go directly back into the fair, Robinson said.

The idea is to generate excitement for future fairs and help the fair grow.

“There will be so many extra people in town from out of town,” he said. “It will help the local businesses. And this fair isn’t just for Duncan, it’s for everyone who lives in Stephens County.”

Robinson said it’s his understanding that area schools will bus students in to the fair. In addition to the Friday and Saturday shows, there will be an opry show from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Robinson said it will be a chance for everyone to hear a talented duo — Erica Robinson, who happens to be his granddaughter, and Cameron Newby of Edmond.

He noted that they were named a top duo in the nation at the North American Country Music Association competition held in March at Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

And he doesn’t want people to forget there will be a a chuck wagon cookoff that will feature legislators Ray McCarter, Dennis Johnson, Don Barrington and Anthony Sykes as the judges. A few of them have judged chili and other food cookoffs in recent years, he said.

There also will be a Stock Dog demonstration set for 9 a.m. Aug. 23, opening day.

“The fair board is an excellent bunch to work with. This year everything is falling into place,” he said.

And he’s hoping that the more than $6,000 spent on advertising will reap great rewards for Stephens County.