The Collinsville Tri-County Fair will take place this week, August 17-19 at the fairgrounds, 10th & Center. We welcome all junior exhibitors (4-H and FFA students) as they bring their prize livestock to compete for ribbons and premium money. Our small town fair offers a great opportunity for all competitors, especially first time exhibitors as they gain valuable experience in the show ring.

Last year, 4-H and FFA groups from forty-one communities exhibited approximately 400 animals at the Tri-County Fair. If our milder weather holds, we anticipate a bigger turnout this year.

Fair Schedule – Fairgrounds .. 10th & Center (all shows in fair barn)
Thurs/Aug 17, 7 p.m. - Children’s Dog Show
Fri/Aug 18, 6:30 p.m. - Swine Show
Sat/Aug 19, 8:30 a.m. – Rabbit Show
8:30 a.m.- Beef Show
1 p.m. – Sheep Show
5 p.m. – Meat Goat Show
Sat/Aug 19 – Tractor Driving Contest, located across from Jalapeños on Main Street.

Here is some history surrounding the first annual fair. The Collinsville Community Fair, as it was known in 1946, was a two day event. The domestic arts and horticulture exhibits were located in the Veterans’ Building. The livestock competition was one day only and included five breeds of dairy cattle. The judging took place in the Collinsville Community Sale barn (located just west of the railroad track on Main Street). In 1947, land was leased from the City and construction began on the fair barns. To fund the Fair, ads were sold and were a part of the premium book published each year. The name was changed to the Collinsville Tri-County Fair, which included Rogers, Tulsa and Washington County. Today, competition is open to all junior exhibitors.

We appreciate the Public Works crew, City of Collinsville, for their efforts in mowing and weed eating the area surrounding the fairgrounds as we prepare for the fair. The addition of gravel east of the fair barn is welcome as trucks and trailers will have more space to park, especially during our busiest show day, Saturday.

We extend our ‘thanks’ to all contributors: American Bank of Oklahoma, Brown Sod Farms, LLC, Darlington Ingredients, Inc., Dr Len Hart, Home Town Real Estate, Schultheiss Insurance, The Feed Store, Rogers County Bank, Rogers County Fair Board, Mid America Feed, Inc., Sonic, Pet Smart.

The Collinsville FFA Alumni will be in charge of the fair barn concession stand. An animal show supply business will be set up to assist exhibitors with last minute needs. This is year marks the 3rd year the fair board will have a special t-shirt designed and given to each exhibitor with their entry. Additional t-shirts will be available for purchase at the fair for $10 each.

The Collinsville Tri-County Fair Board, made up of volunteers, works year round to plan and implement this annual event. We appreciate the work done by the local FFA instructor as well as the students in setting up pens prior to the fair. Volunteers are always welcome.

For further fair information, check out cvilleok.com - Tri-County Fair. We are also on facebook.com/pages/Collinsville Tri-County Fair.

Submitted by Susan Worstell