Plenty of fun in store at Murray County Fair

• Fair

submitted photo In this file photo from the 2010 Murray County Fair, pink balloons and unicorns are a magical part of the fair experience. The Murray County Fair starts today and continues through Sunday in Slayton.

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SLAYTON — New events, returning favorites and something for everyone — that’s what people can expect from this year’s Murray County Fair in Slayton.

“The fair board was able to bring so many new things to the fair thanks to the generous sponsors,” said Murray County Community Relations Director Christy Riley. “This year they are including a fun day for kids on Friday featuring the kiddie bean bag tournament, kiddie tractor pull, crafts for kids and the Raptor Center.”

Also new this year is a rib cook-off, which takes place Saturday. Local fire departments, EMTs and police departments will go head to head in a judged rib contest.

The public will be able to vote on the favorite “rib camp,” which will be the decorations each team comes up with to adorn their booth space. At 5 p.m., the public is invited to chow down on some of the best ribs in town, cooked by the very people who keep them safe.

Money raised from the rib cook-off meal will be put toward a new multi-purpose building.

The Murray County Commissioners voted Tuesday to move forward with the new building.

The current swine barn on the fairgrounds will be removed after Labor Day, Riley said, and the new building will include portable swine pens that can be removed so the building can be used for other events throughout the year, as well as winter storage.

The old wooden pens were built in the 1950s, Riley explained.

The county has already accepted a $5,000 donation from Murray County 4-H clubs for the new building, and will receive a $2,500 check from Agstar on Thursday during a break in the 4-H swine show.

Plans for the new building can be viewed at the pork producers’ stand or at Olsen Arena during the fair, where the public will also have an opportunity to donate to the project.

US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is bringing a laser gun simulator to the fair for both kids and adults to try their hand at hitting the flying targets.

The event is free. The simulator will be set up Thursday and Friday in the white building next to the greenhouse, along with the booth for the Murray County Sheriff’s Office.

Despite construction and the road closure in front of the Murray County Historical Museum, they will be open for business during the fair.

Fair visitors are encouraged to stop by and visit the new “old town style” front of the museum and check out the new doll display, which includes over 90 collectible Barbie dolls.

There is also a Golden Globe boxing display featuring photos of “Pop” Terry.

The Dinehart/Holt House, just a block up from the museum, will host a Mad Hatter Tea every day of the fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event, which features the hat collection of Mary Mattson, includes tea sandwiches, gourmet cupcakes and Buckingham Palace Garden Party tea. Get a dollar off the price of admission by wearing a hat.

A new event today at the horse arena is the Strong Farmer Contest.

“No need to be a farmer to participate,” Riley stated. “Try sons versus dads, brother versus brother, neighbor versus neighbor or friends versus friends.”

The fair schedule also includes:

Wednesday

9 a.m. Cloverbuds pet show, Olsen Arena

9:30 a.m. 4-H pet show, Olsen Arena

9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 4-H conference judging

9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Open class entries, fair office

10 a.m. Cat show

Noon 4-H rabbit judging, Olsen Arena

2 p.m. Goat judging, Olsen Arena

4:30 p.m. 4-H Fashion Review, Heritage Hall

5 p.m. Beer garden opens near Heritage Hall

5 to 7 p.m. Fun Food Challenge, 4-H building

5 to 8 p.m. Free entertainment at pork/malt stand, featuring Jerry Davis

6 p.m. 4-H sheep judging and lamb lead, Olsen Arena

7 p.m. Bean bag tournament, near Heritage Hall

7 p.m. Beer garden entertainment featuring Kayla Daniels

7 p.m. Century Farm recognition, horse arena

7:15 p.m. Strong Farmer Competition, horse arena

7:30 p.m. Variety show, MCC auditorium

Thursday

7 a.m. 4-H beef weighing

8 a.m. 4-H swine judging, Olsen Arena

Noon 4-H dairy judging, Olsen Arena

Noon Apple pie judging registration

1 to 7 p.m. Free laser gun simulator from FWS

1 p.m. Apple pie judging, Heritage Hall

2:30 p.m. 4-H presentations and food revue, Heritage Hall

3:30 p.m. 4-H performing arts judging, Heritage Hall

5 p.m. Magic show featuring Gary Tyson

5 p.m. Beer garden opens near Heritage Hall

7 p.m. Joe’s Summer Fun Party, sponsored by KJOE at the beer garden

7 p.m. Bean bag tournament near Heritage Hall

7:30 p.m. Truck pull, grandstand

Friday

9 a.m. 4-H beef judging, Olsen Arena

Noon 4-H horse show, horse arena

1 p.m. Poultry judging, Hoop Barn

1 to 7 p.m. Free laser simulator from FWS

1:30 p.m. Kids bean bag tournament, Heritage Hall

2 to 5 p.m. University of Minnesota Raptor Center event, Heritage Hall

2:30 p.m. Banana Split eating contest, sponsored by MC Dairy Association

4:30 p.m. Mylan Ray at pork/malt stand

5 p.m. Kiddie tractor pull near Heritage Hall

5 p.m. Beer garden opens near Heritage Hall

5 p.m. 4-H premier showmanship, Olsen Arena

5:30 p.m. Pork loin dinner, sponsored by MC 4-H and Pork Producers

7 p.m. Crafts for kids, 4-H exhibit hall

7 p.m. Free entertainment featuring Jerry Buse, beer garden

7 p.m. Bean bag tournament, near Heritage Hall

7:30 p.m. Stock car races, grandstand

Saturday

8 a.m. 5K walk/run, starting at courthouse

10 a.m. 4-H ribbon auction sale, Olsen Arena

11 a.m. 4-H livestock champion/reserve photos, Olsen Arena

11:30 a.m. Champion exhibits, 4-H building

1 p.m. Prairie Day parade, downtown Slayton

1 p.m. Beer garden opens, Heritage Hall

2 p.m. 4-H general exhibitor state fair meeting, Olsen Arena

3:30 p.m. 4-H livestock state fair meeting, courts building, Olsen Arena

5 p.m. Beer garden entertainment featuring Larry Cote

5 p.m. Rib cook-off meal served

5:30 p.m. Exhibits in 4-H building released

6 p.m. Livestock released

7 p.m. Bean bag tournament near Heritage Hall

7:30 p.m. Loretta Lynn and Friends — a Very Special Honorary Tribute, MCC Auditorium

Sunday

1 p.m. Threshing event and field demonstration at Ernie Engelkes property off U.S. 59

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