HUTCHINSON, Kan. (September 12. 2025) – The Kansas State Fair is in full swing, and this year, community collaboration has been key to its continued success, especially with recent weather challenges.
During this morning’s meeting, Fair Board President John Leslie presented his Kansas State Fair Board of Directors Choice Award to Tricia Paramore, President of Hutchinson Community College. Leslie extended heartfelt gratitude for the college’s assistance with parking after the rains, emphasizing that without their help, the fair’s continuity would have been significantly impacted. The dedication of the bus drivers was also highlighted, with the board expressing profound thanks for their efforts.
BowerComm, the fair’s marketing agency, also provided an update. They commended the significant improvements made to the fairgrounds since their involvement, attributing much of the success to the board’s efforts. Bower Comm noted the remarkable utility of their mass email and text system during the week’s weather events, effectively distributing crucial updates on schedule and parking changes. They reported that the fair’s app has seen 15,000 users this week, with over 600 daily participants in the fair trivia. The agency also celebrated the strategic success of bringing food influencers on board, elevating the fair to a wider audience. Despite the demanding week, BowerComm thanked the entire Kansas State Fair team for their exceptional teamwork, which has resulted in a great fair given the circumstances. An exciting new project is also in the works, with commercials already being filmed on the grounds for an upcoming announcement. (They also mentioned that their team has apparently developed a fondness for the state fair’s saltwater taffy, which can be found at the State Fair Merchandise booth, as well as the 1861 Club!)
Lieutenant Golden of the Kansas Highway Patrol also thanked the board for their collaborative spirit. He reported a quiet day yesterday and expressed thanks for the presence of AEDs on the grounds, citing a health emergency on Thursday evening that could have had a dire outcome without a nearby AED and the excellent EMS crew.
For those planning to attend the fair on this Chiefs Red Friday, here’s an update on parking: Lots A and B are open on State Fair Road, while Lot C will remain closed today. Shuttle services will continue to run between Gate 9 and off-grounds parking. For detailed parking information and a shuttle service map, please visit the Kansas State Fair website. Please note: On Saturday, there will be no State Fair parking available at Hutchinson Sports Arena due to a Hutchinson Community College Football game!
Highlights for today at the fair include $2 admission for Kansas Lottery PlayOn members, the Celebrity Goat Milking at 3:30pm, and Ludacris will perform this evening at the Nex-Tech Grandstand!
The Kansas State Fair continues to showcase the power of community and collaboration, ensuring a memorable experience for all despite the challenges.
