News
For September 6–12, 2026, the most prominent Clinton/Custer County event was the 100th Annual Custer County Free Fair, held September 10–12 at the Custer County Fairgrounds in Clinton. Other reported local developments included the continuing county burn ban, Clinton’s Route 66 “Triangle Project,” and a change in the local Carter Healthcare operation.wright
Main event: Custer County Free Fair
The centennial Custer County Free Fair ran Thursday, September 10, through Saturday, September 12, in Clinton. It included agricultural, youth, livestock, food, and entertainment programming:
| Date | Reported activities |
|---|---|
| Thursday, Sept. 10 | FFA farm-equipment operators contest at 8:30 a.m.; FFA agricultural-mechanics competition; open and 4-H exhibit entries/judging; Farm Hand Olympics at 6:30 p.m.; free inflatables. |
| Friday, Sept. 11 | Petting zoo, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; 4-H/FFA trap shoot at 9 a.m.; horse show at 9 a.m.; judging in crops, farm products, poultry, rabbits, agricultural mechanics, FFA entries, and livestock categories. |
| Saturday, Sept. 12 | Livestock show at 8 a.m.; petting zoo, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; Custer County BBQ Smoke-Off and dinner; awards at 6 p.m.; free Jordan Rainer concert at 7 p.m. |
The barbecue competition was in its seventh year. First responders competed with ribs, while FFA participants were added to the event with a brisket division; the community dinner began at 4 p.m. and plates were $10. Jordan Rainer’s concert was separately listed as a free 7 p.m. event at the fairgrounds.wright+1
County and city developments
- Custer County burn ban: A 14-day burn ban approved by county commissioners on August 31 remained in effect during this period. Outdoor campfires and bonfires were prohibited; LPG, natural-gas, and charcoal grilling were allowed when used on nonflammable surfaces.wright
- Route 66 monument project: Clinton was preparing to begin its “Triangle Project,” planned for the intersection of 10th Street and Opal Avenue. The project calls for a two-sided Route 66 monument with sidewalks, flower beds, and a driveway. The State Route 66 Centennial Commission is to provide the monument at no cost to the city, while designer Andrew Stone continued working on the initial concept.wright
- Carter Healthcare transition: The Clinton Carter Healthcare operation became part of VitalCaring Home Health Group, marking a change in the local home-health provider’s organizational affiliation.wright
- Competitions held
The fair schedule identified these competitive events:
FFA Farm Equipment Operators Contest. Sept. 10
No verified online placings located
FFA Agricultural Mechanics Contest
Sept. 10
No verified online placings located
4-H and open-class exhibits
Sept. 10–11
Judging held; no public winner list found
Farm Hand Olympics
Sept. 10
No verified team or individual results found
4-H/FFA Trap Shoot
Sept. 11
No verified results found
Horse Show
Sept. 11
No verified class placings found
Crops and farm-products judging
Sept. 11
No verified results found
Poultry and rabbit judging
Sept. 11
No verified results found
Livestock judging/show
Sept. 11–12
No verified champion list found
Custer County BBQ Smoke-Off
Sept. 12
No verified winner list found
The fair also had FFA and 4-H livestock, agriculture, crop, poultry, rabbit, and agricultural-mechanics categories, along with open-class entries—so the full award list is likely extensive rather than a single overall-results announcement.wright
BBQ contest format
For the 7th annual Custer County BBQ Smoke-Off, first responders competed in a ribs division. FFA exhibitors were added this year in a brisket division. The contest’s awards presentation was scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, September 12, but the source I found did not name the winners.wright
Best places to check
For the actual names and placings, I would check these sources in this order:
Custer County OSU Extension / Custer County 4-H, which administers or supports many of the 4-H and FFA events. The Extension site maintains a Custer County 4-H awards presence, although its publicly indexed material did not yet show this fair’s 2026 results.extension.okstate
The Custer County Free Fair social-media page, especially posts dated September 12–16, where event photos and champion announcements may appear.
The next WestOK Weekly edition, since its September 9–15 paper promoted the fair and may publish its results afterward.wright
The Custer County OSU Extension office directly, for official exhibitor placings, champion livestock, and contest scores.
| Livestock judging/show | Livestock judging/show | Results |
|---|---|---|
| Custer County BBQ Smoke-Off | Sept. 12 | to be added later |
| FFA Farm Equipment Operators Contest | Sept. 10 | to be added later |
| FFA Agricultural Mechanics Contest | Sept. 10 | to be added later |
| 4-H and open-class exhibits | Sept. 10-11 | to be added later |
| Farm Hand Olympics | Sept. 10 | to be added later |
| 4-H/FFA Trap Shoot | Sept. 11 | to be added later |
| Horse Show | Sept. 11 | to be added later |
| Crops and farm-products judging | Sept. 11 | to be added later |
| Poultry and rabbit judging | Sept. 11 | to be added later |
| Livestock judging/show | Sept. 11-12 |
Nearby regional item
Although outside Clinton proper, Wright Media hosted its annual Breakfast in the Country open house in Weatherford on Friday, September 11, with breakfast, station tours, and opportunities to meet staff from KWEY, KKZU, and KCLI. It is relevant as a western Oklahoma regional community event occurring during the same week.
Weather & Environmental Concerns
- Drought & Wildfire Danger: Extreme heat and ongoing flash drought conditions caused heightened fire danger across Custer County and neighboring western Oklahoma counties.
- Burn Bans Enforced: Custer County Commissioners maintained strict outdoor burn bans due to zero rainfall and dangerous dry grass conditions across District 2 and surrounding rural areas.
Higher Education & Regional Growth (SWOSU)
- National Ranking Recognition: Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) in Weatherford (Custer County) was named No. 18 nationally among the Best Colleges for Rural America.
- Heritage Preservation Grant: SWOSU’s Al Harris Library was awarded a 2026 Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant by the Oklahoma Historical Society.
- National Accreditation: SWOSU’s History Education program officially received national recognition from the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) following a three-year review.
- Clinton Route 66 project
- Clinton was moving ahead in planning for the “Triangle Project” at 10th Street and Opal Avenue. The proposal included:
- A two-sided Route 66 monument.
- Sidewalks, landscaping, flower beds, and a driveway.
- A monument to be supplied without cost by the State Route 66 Centennial Commission.
- Continued preliminary design work by Andrew Stone.
- This was a municipal-development item with public-policy implications because it involves city planning, a state commission, and a landmark/improvement in Clinton’s Route 66 corridor. wright
Events
Community Events & Celebrations
- 100th Annual Custer County Free Fair (Sept. 10–12): The Custer County Fairgrounds hosted the centennial celebration of the county fair. The 3-day event featured agricultural livestock shows (goats, cattle, and sheep), quilt and baked goods exhibitions, inflatables, and the annual Farmhand Olympics.
- Rehearsals for local “Oklahoma!” Production: Preparation accelerated for Clinton’s upcoming community stage production of Oklahoma! set to open September 18. Local production teams acquired over 40 authentic vintage props supplied by PropsWest.