Middle and High School Students

Contests and Events

One of the best ways to engage your students is through the competitive exhibits and demonstrations provided by the Kansas State Fair. There is ample opportunity for students to showcase their skills in school arts, forensics, debate and band.

Be sure to register your school for discounted admission, parking instructions and other helpful information to guide your experience.

Marching Band Competition

Monday-Wednesday, Sept. 11-13, 2023

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Friday, September 1st

Nearly 6,000 band students attend the Kansas State Fair each year, some showcasing their marching skills on the Fairgrounds for a competition, before putting their best foot forward for a professionally judged competition at the People's Bank and Trust Arena. This highly-popular event is favorite of fair-goers, students and teachers.

Forensics Showcase

Forensics Showcase: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14

Forensics Demonstration sponsored by Sterling College.

Forensics is competitive speaking and includes such events as Solo and Duet Acting, Prose, Poetry, Informative Speaking and others. State Champions and medalists from all 6 school classifications will be presenting their pieces at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. Forensics provides a wide variety of topics and performances from dramatic and comic to thought-provoking and informative.
For more information contact Dennis Dutton, Director of the Arts for Sterling College at ddutton@sterling.edu.
Register your class for discounted tickets here.

Scholastic Press Corps

Monday-Friday, Sept. 11-15

The Scholastic Press Corps is a yearly favorite that often fills up well before the end of the previous school year. This is a fantastic chance for students interested in print and broadcast journalism to experience work in the real world—spending one day at the Fair producing a newsletter, video, or broadcast related to their Fair experience. About 250 students each year craft several story packages–including specific assignments from the Fair–which are then submitted for competition.

School Art

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: August 23

School Art is moving back to the OZ Gallery in 2022! Due to limited space, each student will be allowed one entry from their teacher(s).

For questions about School Art entries contact Nancy Schmutz at 620-669-3621.

Students wishing to enter additional individual artwork or crafts may do so in Fine Arts under Kreative Kids. Deadline for Fine Arts is July 25.

Field Trips for Grades 7-12

It’s hard to outgrow the fun of the Kansas State Fair — older students still relish the chance to experience a change of scenery with a day to explore Kansas’ Largest Classroom.

While many middle school and high school students come to the Fair for specific competitions and special events such as band, forensics, debate, or FFA, they can spend the rest of their day learning more about their world. Teachers of older students typically use the Kansas State Fair to create assignments for students, who are then free to explore and find the answers in their own ways. This allows students the flexibility they enjoy, while still providing enough structure to make a day at the Fair a fun learning experience.