McALESTER — It’s fair time.

Though fair weather is not in the forecast until Friday, the Pittsburg County Fair is slated to kick off today at the Southeast Expo and fairgrounds west of McAlester. The fair will run through Saturday.

Today, the doors to the Expo open at noon for participants to bring non-animal entries, and will remain open until 7 p.m.

“I believe there are many who would enjoy the fun and excitement of being part of the fair,” said OSU Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Educator Ladell Emmons. “Just bring your exhibit to the Expo on Tuesday, Sept. 7 between 1 and 7 p.m. If you are an adult or are not in 4-H, you will be entering under the Open Class category. Exhibits will be judged on Wednesday and will be displayed through Saturday, Sept. 11. They will be available to be picked up at 2 p.m. on Saturday evening.”

If the thunderstorms in the forecast for the area hold off, the exhibit portion of the fair starts tonight with the halter and performance classes of the horse show at the Cattlemen’s arena near the Expo. Horses pre-entered in the event are to  check in between 5 and 6 p.m., with competition scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

Last year’s exhibition by a few of the jockeys of the Therapeutic Equestrian Association of McAlester is scheduled to become a regular part of the horse show, earning a spot this year in the fair book between the halter and performance classes again.

Wednesday morning county fair activity starts bright and early. At 9 a.m. judging of non-animal entries starts in the Expo. The exhibit hall will be closed during judging.

At 3:30 p.m. the Poultry Judging Contest starts, then at 5 p.m. it’s another check-in time for horses entered in the timed events of the fair horse show, which start at 6 p.m. Wednesday back at the Cattlemen’s arena, weather permitting.

At 9 a.m. Thursday, entries in the Tractor Driving Contest will have a seat in the Expo building for the written portion of that event, while at 9:30 Land Judging Contest participants are scheduled to check in, as well.

At 12:30, the Tractor Driving Contest entries will complete the driving part of the contest in the Expo parking lot, then at 4 p.m. the livestock barns will open for livestock to be penned at the scheduled times.

From 5 to 7 p.m., goats will be weighed and penned. Fair officials said no goats will be accepted after 7 p.m.

From 5 to 9:30 p.m., poultry, pigeons and rabbits, all required to be caged, will be checked in.

In the Expo, those interested in participating in this year’s talent contest may enter at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. The County Fair Talent Contest will be held in the Expo Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

From 8 to 10 a.m. Friday, the livestock barns will open, and the Livestock Judging Contest will get under way at 9 that morning. Then at 1 p.m. Friday, the poultry, pigeons and rabbit entries will be judged. The barn will be closed during judging, but will re-open immediately following.

At 1 that afternoon, the Floriculture Judging Contest is slated, followed by livestock check-in, weighing and paper checks from 5 to 7 p.m.

Cowboy Olympics will take place in the show barn at 5 p.m.

As soon as the Cowboy Olympics obstacles are cleared from the ring, the livestock take the stage with the County Fair Goat Show.

Saturday gets busy early, with the livestock barns opening at 7 a.m., and the Junior Poultry Crowing Contest sounding the alarm at 7:30 a.m.

The exhibit hall in the Expo will open at 9 Saturday morning.

Meanwhile, back in the barns, the swine shows will begin at 8 a.m., with sheep and beef show contestants lining up immediately after.

The All Around Showmanship Contest immediately follows the Beef Showmanship Contest, after all livestock shows are complete.

The Annual Chili-Cook Off will be held in the Expo kitchen at 10 a.m. Entries will need a crock pot of chili from three categories:  Traditional, Specialty, and Fire Alarm. Entry fee is $10 per entry and the divisions are ages 9-18 and 19 and above. Top winners will receive trophies and a cash prize. The chili will be available for sampling at 12 p.m. by the general public.

Fair-goers won’t want to miss the Junior Poultry Ugly Chicken Contest set for 10 a.m. Saturday.

Fair officials said poultry and rabbit entries will be released at noon on Saturday, and stressed that these animals must be removed from the barns no later than 4 p.m.

All other animal exhibits will be released after their event unless they are qualified for the All Around Showmanship Contest.

At 2 p.m., all non-animal exhibits will be released.

By Friday the weather is expected to clear up, just in time for the main fair attractions to get under way, with mild temperatures and a low chance of thunderstorms.