98th Annual Oklahoma County Free Fair will be Aug. 23-25

“Our fair offers the residents of Oklahoma County a wonderful opportunity to take part in a friendly competition,” said Ray Ridlen, Oklahoma County OSU Extension Horticulture and Agriculture educator.

“Not only can people win cash prizes and blue ribbons for the things they make at home, but they can also see what others have entered in the same categories.”

The Oklahoma County Free Fair Book, which lists all categories in the fair along with a schedule of special events and contests, is available online at http://oces.okstate.edu/oklahoma, at some area libraries and also at the Oklahoma County OSU Extension office, located at 930 N Portland in Oklahoma City.

Exhibits entered in the fair must have been made, grown or constructed during the past year and should be entered during the first day of the fair on Thursday, Aug. 23, in the Centennial Building from 12 to 7 p.m.

“There’s no fee to enter anything in the fair or to take part in any of the special contests or events,” Ridlen explained. “This is just a wonderful opportunity for people in our county to compete in a smaller setting. Many of the people who enter items in our fair go on to enter them in the state fair.”

In addition to the exhibits, the Oklahoma County Free Fair will offer a number of special contests.

On Friday, Aug. 24, festivities include an “Ice Cream Freeze-Off,” where contestants can win prize money for the best homemade ice cream in several categories, and the “Saucy Salsa” contest, where homemade salsa is judged for taste by area culinary professionals.