Comanche County Free Fair comes back to Lawton

The Comanche County Free Fair returns to the fairground this week, an annual event where anyone ages five to 90 can come out and compete in everything from quilting to livestock shows..

This year’s fair will be held Tuesday through Saturday in the Prairie Building and the Great Plains Coliseum, 920 SW Sheridan. The Prairie Building will feature exhibits while the  Coliseum will host the livestock shows.

Allison Theis, Comanche County OSU Extension Director and Ag Extension Educator, said there will be a variety of events each day, many of which are open to the public.

“We take exhibits for 4-H and FFA members,” Theis said. “We have livestock shows so we’ll show rabbits, chickens, sheep, goats, pigs and cattle. We have a tractor driving contest on Saturday and farm hand olympics on Tuesday night for ages 5-18.”

The newest event this year is farm field days, where fifth graders from all over Comanche County come to learn about agriculture in a quasi-outdoor classroom setting, Theis said. 

“Getting to see them exhibit the projects that they have,” is the one of the highlights of the fair for her, Theis said. “This youth is really passionate about what they do. Seeing them in their element is truly something special to see.”

The only things open to the public, Theis said, are exhibits on Friday, livestock shows and the Sassy Salsa and Pie Eating Contest on Saturday.

“The accessibility and inclusivity of the fair allows everyone to participate, regardless of their situation,” Theis said. “They’re able to enter exhibits in the fair, things that they’re making at home. It’s a huge community building tool, so we’re able to come as a community, especially involving the youth with their livestock show.”

Interested persons who want to participate can sign up for contests and exhibits the day of the event, Theis said. For livestock shows, exhibitors will need to ask their extension educators or ag teachers for a link to the Google document sign up.

For more information, contact Theis at (580) 355-1176 or at [email protected].