HUTCHINSON, Kan. (KWCH) — Crowds gathered at the Kansas State Fair on Monday as the week kicked off with Dillon’s Dollar Day, drawing fairgoers to the grounds despite hot and windy conditions.
General gate admission for the day was set at $1, with fairgoers receiving free entry if they brought a physical Dillon’s Plus card, limited to one free admission per card. Children 5 and under also received free admission.
“I think our fairgoers love Dillon’s Day because of that free admission,” Dillon’s spokesperson Sheila Regehr said. “It’s a wonderful time to come out and celebrate and see all the fun things that are happening at the Kansas State Fair.”
Agriculture and honey exhibit
Inside the Pride of Kansas Building, visitors can explore a honey exhibit organized in part by organizations including the Kansas Honey Producers Association and a local honey farm.
The display showcases various honey products, ranging from creamed honey to beeswax, alongside live educational demonstrations held each morning from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Organizers emphasized the role honeybees play in agriculture and the economy.
“Twenty-billion dollars in increased ag revenue just here in the United States, and so our honeybee is vital to our food chain,” said Becky Tipton with the Kansas Honey Producers Association. “A third of the food you eat is pollinated by insects, and honeybees are the ones who do most of that work.”
Freedom 250 mobile museum
The fair is also marking America’s 250th anniversary with the Freedom 250 truck, a mobile museum housed inside an 18-wheeler. The vehicle is one of only six traveling across the United States.
Inside, visitors will find interactive displays highlighting American history and history makers, including an artificial intelligence-driven portrait of George Washington that speaks to guests.
Fairgoer Marsha Tuttle noted the importance of the display for families visiting the grounds.
“History is really good, and history is really important to our younger generation,” Tuttle said.
The Freedom 250 truck is free to enter and remains open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The KWCH booth will remain open throughout the 10-day event. To find out booth, and a full list of daily events, visit www.kansasstatefair.gov/p/plan-your-visit1/schedule
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