COLUMBUS, Kan. — When one thinks of the county fair, images are formed of young people with their livestock, carnival rides and cotton candy.

And politicians.

While politicians might not be the first thing that comes to mind, they have become as much a part of the tradition as the other aspects, especially when the August primary is approaching.

Candidates were plentiful Wednesday night at the Cherokee County Fair. The path to the carnival midway leads past the shelters set up by the individual campaigns and the two political parties.

Fred Cox, 54, of Columbus, had stopped to talk with Nathan Coleman, seeking the Republican nomination for county attorney. Cox had his 2-year-old grandson, Chris Ellison, with him.

“He seems like a very personable gentleman,” Cox said of Coleman after the talk. He said he may use the fair as an opportunity to get acquainted with the candidates.

“If I don’t come by and talk to these people, I’m never going to know” about their positions, he said.

Cox said though he’s not yet registered to vote, he feels more motivated to do so after his conversation.

Coleman said being at the fair was important.

“This is one of your few opportunities to get out and meet the people of the county in a nice, relaxed atmosphere,” Coleman said.

He said it gives people a chance to put a face with the names of candidates and become educated about their positions, or just to chat.

“We wouldn’t miss it,” Coleman said of the county fair.

Robert Myers, also seeking the Republican nomination for county attorney, had balloons that caught the attention of parents of young children. One could see balloons reading “Myers for County Attorney” carried by children or tied to the handles of strollers around the fairground.

“It’s hot, hot, hot and a lot of fun,” Myers said. He said bigger crowds turn out after the sun goes down. He also expects big crowds tonight and Saturday night.

He said attorneys spend a lot of time in court, and residents don’t often get a chance to talk with them in an informal environment like the fair.

“They see we’re approachable,” he said.

He said many of the people who stop by are friends.

Myers and his family and supporters also were handing out cold bottles of water.

“This is special water,” he said. “It’s campaign water.”

The bottle’s label had his campaign message on it.



GIMMICKS

Most of the candidates had a gimmick of some sorts.

Cecil Flood, seeking the Democratic nomination for county clerk, was handing out refrigerator magnets. Juanita Hodgson is seeking re-election as county treasurer. She was giving away bags of popcorn.

“We gave away 10 pounds of popcorn last night,” Hodgson said. She also gave away campaign notepads and ink pens. She and most of the other candidates also had campaign literature for those interested.

Charlie Napier, seeking the Republican nomination for 2nd District county commissioner, had another perspective on campaigning at the fair.

“It’s better than going door-to-door,” he said. “The people come to you. These are people who are going to be my constituents.”

Mike Houser, seeking the Republican nomination for state representative, was cooking burgers for a fundraiser for the Girl Scouts. He said he would be among the crowds campaigning later.

“I think you ought to be here if you’re running for something,” he said. “You ought to be here even if you’re not.”

He said he also made an appearance at the July Fourth celebration in Chetopa.



CAMPAIGN RITUAL

Some of the candidates on Wednesday were in the fairground arena, where a traditional campaign ritual was taking place — the dessert auction.

Many of the winning bids for the desserts went to candidates.

Sheriff David Groves, who is seeking re-election, bought one.

“To me, it’s critical” to be at the fair, he said. “It’s an opportunity to meet and visit with thousands of people throughout the week in an informal setting. To me, it’s vital to be here every night.”

The county Democratic Party paid $80 for a cake brought to the auction by Charlene Hunley, Republican nominee for county treasurer. She doesn’t have a primary challenger.

A few minutes later, the county Republican Party paid $80 for a dozen cupcakes.

Lorie Johnson, county Republican chairwoman, and Jim Oberbeck, county Democratic chairman, described a friendly rivalry between the political parties. They said the dessert auction gains a little publicity for the candidates and the parties.

Proceeds from the auction go to the county 4-H Council, which is distributed to all the 4-H clubs in the county.

Grant Randall, Democratic candidate for state representative, also doesn’t have a primary challenger. Yet, he bought a cake. He said the fair is the starting point of his campaign. He said he tries to find a balance when talking with fair-goers, trying not to be overwhelming or overbearing.

“You come here to be seen and have informal conversations with people,” he said.

Brandi Jarvis, who lives near Galena, was at the fair with her nephew, her three children and other family. She had stopped by a candidate’s tent and had planned to visit more.

“I always talk to the candidates,” she said. “I went to school with the sheriff, so I visit with him.”

She described her criteria for deciding how to cast her vote.

“I always vote for who I know,” she said.



Saturday drawings

The county Democratic Party will conduct a drawing on Saturday at the Cherokee County Fair for a $100 gas card, while the county Republicans on Saturday will hold a drawing for a .22-caliber rifle and for free training for a concealed-carry permit.