KINCAID — As the 1800s gave way to what soon would be the Industrial Revolution of the early 20th Century, land in these parts was a patchwork of small farms.
Farmers rose early each morning, pulled on a long-sleeved cotton shirt and a pair of Key overalls, made in the company’s new Fort Scott plant. They headed for the field, with expectation of a long, labor-intensive day. Their conversations throughout the day were mostly limited to a team of horses with an occasional “haw” and “gee.” Steel-wheeled tractors were on some farms, and those with rubber tires weren’t far off, but anything other than horsepower was rare. Farm wives also were up before the sun faced with a multitude of chores: Prepare three hearty meals, clean house, milk cows, plant and tend a garden, mend clothing. The list goes on ad infinitum.
In 1909 the community of Kincaid planned a celebration to bring all those farm folks to town for a good time. They showed up in their Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes. The Kincaid Farmers Free Fair was born and will unfold for the 107th time Thursday through Saturday. (Two fairs were canceled during World War II.)
Wednesday afternoon four women who have roles in this year’s fair circled a small table in Cricket’s Bar and Grill, the only business in downtown Kincaid other than the bank and post office, to talk about the upcoming fair and reminisce.
Bonnie McAdam, 81, is fair treasurer and takes special interest in the quilt department.
“We’ll probably have well over a hundred quilts this year, more than ever,” she advanced. “We give pretty good prizes,” she added.
Violet Sprague, who admits to turning 85 before long, is the girl Friday this year. She’ll do whatever is asked, pointing out “all pitch in and just do their jobs.”
Each year the fair “draws amazing crowds,” Sprague said, and while the fair isn’t getting noticeably bigger it is holding its own, said Hannah Thompson, who is in charge of a 5K run and somewhat shorter walk Saturday morning.
If the fair were to be pigeonholed, it might be best to term it a “big homecoming,” McAdam chimed in. “It’s also when a lot of the (Kincaid High) classes have their reunions,” Sprague added.
SATURDAY is the big day, with focus on the parade. The 1:30 p.m. procession typically lasts an hour or more and features bands, floats, kids on bicycles and goodness knows what else.
Satuday’s festivities start with the 5K run at 8 a.m. — registration opens an hour earlier — and more than 50 already have signed on. “We’ll probably have 70 or more,” Thompson said, of the event in its eighth year.
By the time runners and walkers cross the finish line, downtown Kincaid will be heating up to what it was years ago when farmers came to town on a Saturday night, and had a number of stores and shops to visit. This time around there will be carnival rides to entice kids, concessions, including the Lions Club building with grill fires blazing, and a noon meal of homemade fare at the Kincaid-Selma Church.
Children’s games, including a turtle race, are on tap after the parade. At 7 that evening Edward Wunder, a hypnotist will entertain.
Thursday and Friday also have hours of activities.
Queen voting will be open from noon to 8 p.m. each day. Anyone may vote, “but just one time,” cautioned Melissa Rhodes, the queen contest wrangler.
Exhibits will be entered on Thursday and judged Friday. Children’s games will occupy Thursday and Friday afternoons, with a senior citizens turtle race at 4 o’clock Friday.
