Kansas State Fair

Kansas State Fair is a State Fair that is held annually, starting the Friday following Labor Day in September, and lasts for 10 days at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Kansas, United States. It is the largest single event in the State, and annually attracts approximately 335,000 people from all 105 Kansas counties and several other states.The fairgrounds is centered at 23rd Ave, between Main St and Plum St, in Hutchinson, and consists of 280 acres with over 70 buildings, and 25 full-time year-round staff.The 2017 State Fair will be from September 8 through September 17.HistoryEarly State FairsIn the 19th century, the Kansas State Fair was held in various cities in Kansas, such as Topeka, Wichita, and others.Early Reno County FairsThe first fair association was made on January 18, 1873, when Reno County Agricultural Society was created. On September 23–24, 1873, the society hosted a fair which was held in a small wooden livery stable behind the bank on the northwest corner of Sherman and Main in Hutchinson.Encouraged by the success of this first event, plans began for a bigger fair in 1874, with the society proposing a tax levy to support the event, but voters rejected the idea. Though turned down, the Agricultural Society pushed ahead and found acreage southeast of where the state reformatory would later be located, paid cash for the grounds, and on September 28–30 of 1875, presented the First Annual Reno County Fair. It featured 20 classes for entries, with most awards in the form of certificates, and a few $5 cash prizes. Agricultural exhibitions were also held during the years 1876 and 1877.