Rogers County Fair

Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow

Whether you’re 8 years old or 88, county fairs evoke fond memories of Ferris wheels, animals, cotton candy, family, food and fun.

This September that tradition continues in Claremore at the annual Rogers County Fair.

For over 100 years now, the Rogers County Fair has delighted fair-goers from all walks of life with sights, sounds – and tastes – from near and far, continuing the long tradition of making fond memories for those who walk the midway.

“This will be the 105th year for the fair, and while we’re going to be bringing back all the favorite things people remember from their childhood about a county fair, we’re also highlighting new sciences and agriculture,” said Allison Burkhead, special events manager, Claremore Expo Center. “A kind of tagline we’ve come up with for the fair in recent years is ‘Where tradition meets tomorrow,’ to let the public know we’re very much providing the old-school feel of the fair with new technologies coming out.

“This is the second or third year our FFA and 4-H students will be presenting their agri-science projects,” she continued. “The students are finding new technologies, promoting new aquaponics technologies, and showing how what they grow can be more sustainable, how the crops they harvest (through aquaponics systems) can be used to better provide feed for animals and livestock.”

Aquaponics refers to a system which combines conventional aquaculture – raising aquatic animals such as snails, fish, crawfish or prawns in tanks – with hydroponics – cultivating plants in water – in a symbiotic environment.

However, while some go to the fair to look into the future, many go to revisit the past.

“In the Expo Hall, we’ll be hosting our home ec displays – the canning, the quilts, the cookies, etc. – as will be our agri-science projects,” Burkhead said. “Our vendors also will be inside the expo, which we’re calling our ‘county square.’

“Outside, people can look forward to food trucks, the carnival, which will include many favorite rides, and The Cantina, which is a live entertainment tent,” she said. “At The Cantina, fair-goers can be entertained by karaoke Thursday night, James Muns Band Friday night, and Saturday, there will be dueling pianos.”

The barn will showcase different livestock species daily, in an open-to-the-public environment and at which, fair attendees are encouraged to interact with exhibitors for the chance to get up close and personal with the animals.

Also, pumpkin-aficionados take note, as Oklahoma Pumpkin Growers (OGPG) Weigh-Off will be in Claremore this year, with one particularly “great pumpkin” sure to turn heads.

“Weighing in at 893 pounds, we have a gigantic gourd which was grown by Dan Snyder of Claremore, and was certified as record-breaking by the Oklahoma Giant Pumpkin Growers Club,” Burkhead said. “Pumpkins will arrive and start moving in at 9 a.m. Saturday of the fair, and the Weigh-Off is open to the public and will begin at 1 p.m. Pumpkins will remain on display until 6 p.m. that evening.”

This year, the grand drives – champions of each breed of species – will be featured on Facebook live, in their effort to win the Grand and Reserve Grand Champion titles.

The Barn and the County Square (Claremore Expo) will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, and the carnival will be 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a 1-5 p.m. session and a 6-10 p.m. session Saturday for those who purchase matinee wristbands and only wish to visit the fair for limited hours.

The 2019 Rogers County Fair also offers handicapped parking.

“If I’m correct, we’re one of if not the largest county fair in Oklahoma,” Burkhead said. “and our fair board always focuses on what is best for and most appeals to the young fair-goers, so this is very much a family-friendly event for all.”

The Rogers County Fair 2019 is Sept. 12-15 at the Claremore Expo Center, 400 Veterans Parkway.
The fair will kick off with a fireworks display at 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12.

For more information,
call 918-341-8688 or visit
www.rogerscountyfair.com/.

Cantina Hours:

Thursday: 5-10 p.m. with Karaoke starting at 6 p.m.

Friday: 5-10 p.m. (or later) with James Muns Band beginning at
8 p.m.

Saturday: 5-10 p.m. (or later) with Tom Basler starting at 8 p.m.

County Square (Expo Hall):

Shopping and Home Ec projects on display 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. all three nights

Carnival times:

Thursday: 6-10 p.m.

Friday: 6-10 p.m.

Saturday: 1-5 p.m. and
6-11 p.m.

Sunday: 1-6 p.m. (rides are the only part of the fair that is open
to the public Sunday)

Fireworks:

Thursday: 8:15 p.m. (to be shot from the hill off Archer and Holiday Lane)

Lil’ Buckaroo Barnyard:

This is the “kids tent” with activities daily -- games and a pumpkin patch provided by Shepherds Cross. The Monster Mural will be up for the kiddos to color on. Activities are available from noon to 10 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

The Barn:

Open to the public from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday - Saturday