SLAYTON — County fair season continues in southwest Minnesota this week, with the Murray County fair officially starting today in Slayton. The fair schedule includes plenty of things to do for all ages, as well as food, music and entertainment.

This afternoon only, fairgoers will have a chance to ride in a hot air balloon. The Slayton American Legion post announced that the POW/MIA hot air balloon will be at the fair this evening to raise awareness of U.S. military service members who are still missing. The balloon will be located at the soccer fields across from West Elementary in Slayton.

Attractions at the fair range from inflatables to crafts and games. The Gail Byers memorial apple pie baking contest will be judged on Thursday afternoon. Events for adults include beer and wine tasting events, featuring Schell’s Brewery and the Painted Prairie Vineyard.

There’s lots of action planned for the fair’s grandstand events this year. As the fair kicks off today, there will be a tractor pull by the Great Plains Tractor Pullers. On Friday night, the action switches over to stock car racing at the Murray County Speedway. Racing returns on Saturday night, with enduro races.

Musical performances are also on the schedule for fairgoers. The Johnny Cash tribute group Church of Cash will be performing Thursday night, and IV Play will take the stage Friday night.

There will be fun events outside the fairgrounds this weekend, as well. An antique tractor show will be going on near the corner of Highway 30 and Highway 59 in Slayton from this evening until Saturday afternoon. That’s when Slayton’s Prairie Days parade starts up. The parade will travel a route that passes through Slayton’s downtown, not far from the fairgrounds.

A performance by the band Rewinder and a fireworks display will close out the fair on Saturday night.

More information on the fair schedule and events is available online at www.murraycountyfair.com.

If you go

Murray County Fair in Slayton

Today

Noon Commercial exhibit buildings, museum buildings and log cabin open

4 p.m. Bounce Around Inflatables

4-8 p.m. 4-H photography “People’s Choice Award” voting

5:30-7:30 p.m. Old Guy & The Kid Acoustic Duo

6:30 p.m. Great Plains Tractor Pull

8-11 p.m. KJOE Summer Fun Party

Thursday

Noon Commercial exhibit buildings, museum buildings and log cabin open

1 p.m. Gail Byers Tribute apple pie judging, followed by pie and ice cream

2-8 p.m. Petting zoo

2 p.m. Bounce Around Inflatables

2 p.m. The Flyers

5-7 p.m. Cattlemen’s Association ribeye sandwich supper

6 p.m. Open youth pet show

6 p.m. Beer tasting event featuring Schell’s Brewery and wine tasting featuring Painted Prairie Vineyard

7 p.m. Beer stein holding contest

8-10 p.m. Church of Cash

Friday

Noon Commercial exhibit buildings, museum buildings and log cabin open

1-7 p.m. Chainsaw sculptures by Dylan Semler

1:30 p.m. Kids’ beanbag tournament

2 p.m. Bounce Around Inflatables

2-8 p.m. Petting zoo

4 p.m. Woody’s Axe Throwing

5 p.m. Kiddie tractor pull

5:30 p.m. Pork loin supper

6 p.m. Open music jam

6-8 p.m. Myah Holinka, music and guitar

7:30 p.m. Stock car races

9 p.m. IV Play

Saturday

10 a.m. Commercial exhibit buildings open

Noon Bounce Around Inflatables

Noon Museum buildings and log cabin open

1-7 p.m. Chainsaw sculptures by Dylan Semler

1 p.m. Prairie Days Parade

2 p.m. Woody’s Axe Throwing

2 p.m. Kids’ fire hose games

2:30 p.m. Grain bin rescue

2:30-5 p.m. Entertainment by Star Fire

5:30 p.m. Community shrimp boil

6-8:30 p.m. Enduro car race

8-11 p.m. Rewinder Band – greatest hits of the casette era

Dusk Fireworks