The 2012 Marion County Fair July 25 through 28 in Hillsboro will be the 82nd annual county fair. Some events will be before the fair.

Saturday

• Agriculture Challenge of Champions, 2 p.m. at the foods building to recognize outstanding 4-H and FFA agriculture and livestock-oriented youth. Areas of emphasis in three age divisions will be a written test about agriculture and the livestock industry, farm equipment and management, identification of livestock equipment, breeds of livestock, cuts of meat, common crops, common weeds, agronomic items, concentrate and roughage, tractor parts, and possibly an interview on current agriculture topics.
• Women’s Ranch Rodeo, 7 p.m.

July 25

• Parade, 6:30 p.m. on Main Street, Hillsboro. The theme is “At the Hop.” There is no charge for entries. Entry forms are available online at http://sites.google.com/site/marioncountyksfairassociation/.
• “At the Hop” free dance party, 9 to 11 p.m. in the fair pavilion, organized by Goessel Goal Getters 4-H Club. The theme will be a 1950s sock hop dance.
• Kids pedal tractor pull for ages 4 to 12, 7 p.m. between the 4-H and foods buildings. Registration starts at 6 p.m. Contestants in the top three for their age group will be eligible to compete at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson.
• KRAFT Rodeo Company rodeo and mutton busting, 8 p.m. Local entries are welcome and should call (620) 200-4081. Events include barrel racing, saddle bronc, mutton busting, bull riding, steer wrestling, and others.
• Baking contest, 9 to 11 a.m. Age divisions are adult (18 and older) and junior (10 to 17). The adult division will be dinner rolls, and the junior division will be fruit muffins. Entries must be made from scratch with the sponsoring flour purchased from a grocery store in Marion County, include the bag of flour and a detailed recipe with the entrant’s information. Additional rules including the required flour are available by contacting the Marion County Fair office at (620) 381-0109 or mncofairmanager@yahoo.com.

July 26

• KRAFT Rodeo Company rodeo and mutton busting, 8 p.m. Local entries are welcome and should call (620) 200-4081. Events include barrel racing, saddle bronc, mutton busting, bull riding, steer wrestling, and others.

July 27

• Truck and Antique Tractor Pull, 7 p.m. in the fair arena. Registration begins at 5 p.m. with a drivers’ meeting at 6:45 p.m. Entrants should contact Myron Regier at (620) 367-8277.

July 28

• Demolition derby, 7 p.m. Preregistration is due Monday, and entry forms are available at Arlie’s Paint, Body, & Glass in Marion, NAPA/Marion Auto, Rod’s Tire in Hillsboro, Webster’s Auto in Marion, or by calling (620) 381-0109.