The only Kansas fair with a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) sanctioned rodeo and an Outlaw Tractor Pull kicks off Friday, Aug 5.
“It’s the 2016 annual Linn County Fair & Rodeo, August 5th through the 13th, at the fairgrounds in Mound City,” according to Kelly Carbon, fair board president from Mound City.
Two nights of demolition derby, dubbed the Demolition Derby Double Header, start off the first weekend of the night shows for the 135th annual fair.
Added this year is the Two Person Team Derby on Friday evening, Aug. 5, at 8 o’clock. Traditional Demolition Derby, Saturday, Aug. 6, at 8 o’clock, will offer a record $7,400 in prize money, the largest amount ever paid at the event. “We had 32 cars last year, and anticipate even more this time,” Carbon noted.
The annual Cars, Bikes, Rock & Roll Show is Saturday morning, Aug 6, at 10 o’clock. There will be divisions for most collectible cars, motorcycles and trucks, as well as hot rods, tractors and youth divisions. Live band music begins at noon, featuring Brad Hemphill & The Usual Suspects.
This year’s Outlaw Truck & Tractor Pull gets underway Sunday evening, Aug. 7, 7 o’clock, with more than $20,000 in prize money. There will be divisions for pro stock four-by-fours and diesel four-by-four pickups as well as limited pro stock, light super stock, and pro stock tractors. “The Big Screen Replay returns this year,” Carbon said.
“The 70th annual PRCA Rodeo highlights the second weekend of the fair, Friday and Saturday evenings, Aug. 12-13, at 8 o’clock,” announced John Teagarden, long time Mound City rodeo committeeman.
New Frontier Rodeo Company, Gypsum, returns for the eighth year to produce the rodeo. Steamboat Rock, Iowa, native David “Hippie” Engelkes, one of PRCA’s leading rodeo clowns, will be featured entertainer at the 2016 rodeo.
In addition to rodeo contestants from 12 states, rodeo attractions are to include the Heartland Twisters Drill Team and bullfighters Wade Kunz and Broc McGuire.
“This year’s rodeo is part of the Eastern Kansas Pro Rodeo Series that includes PRCA rodeos at Coffeyville, August 10-13, and Eureka August 19-21 as well as the Mound City rodeo. The three leading eastern Kansas rodeos have joined forces in promoting their combined nine performances between August10-21,” explained Teagarden, the series coordinator.
“Top point earning contestants in each event from the three PRCA rodeos will receive special awards,” Teagarden said.
Wild Horse Ministries, featuring trainer Paul Daily, will present a natural horsemanship colt training session in the indoor arena at the Linn County Fair, Wednesday evening, Aug. 10, at 7 o’clock, with information available at 913-731-5757.
Additional Mound City fair events, all in the Blair Building, include the Gospel Music Show, Thursday evening. Aug. 11, 8 o’clock, featuring the Hemphill Family Band; the Rutlader Cowboy Church, Friday evening, Aug. 12, 6 o’clock; and the Linn County Idol Contest, Saturday evening, Aug. 13, 5 o’clock.
Bluff City Attractions Carnival is scheduled for the midway August 10-13.
Traditional Linn County Fair competitions will take place throughout the week.
Complete 2016 Linn County Fair schedule can be found at www.linncountyfair.org, and on Facebook.