READY TO ROLL

RED OAK — With temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s and the National Weather Service issuing a heat warning for the next couple days, Montgomery County is facing it’s hottest weather of the year.

That can only mean one thing: It’s fair week.

While the horse show took place over the weekend, the fair officially begins with opening ceremonies starting Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

Fair Board President Ryan Beeson said measures have been taken to help fairgoers deal with the heat.

“We have set up additional tents on the midway for people to sit underneath whether they purchased food or just want to take five,” Beeson said. “We have also purchased additional fans for livestock arenas to keep the breeze moving.”

While the extreme heat can take its tool on participants and spectators alike, Beeson said there is also concern for the animals.

“Hopefully, the kids themselves will take the necessary precautions to keep their animals cool with fans, and it’s essential they have enough water at all times,” he said. “The rabbits and the chickens especially don’t do well at all with the intense heat.”

While they can’t control the heat, one thing the Fair Board can control is the events, which they tried to expand from previous years.

“We kind of decided you have to have events for people to come down, so it was my goal to get some different things and new ideas to have people to come to the grounds,” Beeson said. “Sometimes you can get into a rut year after year.”

One of the new events is a horse show open to everyone, regardless of age. The event starts at 5 p.m., Friday, and will feature barrel racing among other timed events.

Other new features to this year’s fair includes a Midway magician Thursday, Friday and Saturday, a ride and drive sponsored by A&M Greenpower and a Wednesday night puppet show. Also this year, the fair board has partnered with local service clubs to run the pork producers food booth.

Proceeds from that booth will be reinvested in renovating the livestock arena.

During Tuesday’s opening ceremonies, 2010 Fair Queen Kaitlin Suchting will crown this year’s Queen from a pool of nine contestants, that includes Cassie Bruce, Dakkota Druivenga, Danielle Gilliland, Danielle Klocke, Jessica Hemphill, Katelyn Kernen, Katherine Jardon, Katie Jordan and Sierra Fenn.

Wednesday’s events include the dog show at 8 a.m. and the poultry show at 2 p.m.

Thursday starts with a rabbit show at 8 a.m., followed by the sheep show at 2 p.m., and the Meat and Dairy Goat Show at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday evening, the roaring engines of ATV’s will fill the Grandstand area for the annual horseshoe and drag race. The first race is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

Friday will be devoted to pigs, as the Swine Show starts at 8 a.m., and is expected to last into the afternoon.

The day concludes with the annual Bull Ride competition at 7:30 p.m. in the Grandstand Area.

A beef show starts Saturday’s activities at 8 a.m. in the Show Arena, followed by the bucket/bottle calf show at 2 p.m.

The traditional baby show starts at 9:30 a.m., in the fairgrounds auditorium.

That evening, starting at 7:30 p.m., the favorite demolition derby is featured in the grandstand.

The fair concludes Sunday with the Soil and Water Conservation District pancake breakfast from 7:30-10:30 a.m., the pet show at noon, livestock auction at 4 p.m., gospel music at 7 p.m., and a teen dance from 9-11:30 p.m.

For a complete lineup of all the fair activities, look inside the special section included in today’s Red Oak Express.