The State Fairs roots have been growing in Hutchison ever since 1913; and this year make that a total whopping 106 years.

The Baldwin High School Band has been performing at the state fair for 15-18 years under the direction of band director William Cooper.

“I like the pressure it puts on our band to perform well early in the year,” Cooper said.

Cooper has been a director for over 34 years and has had some pretty good scores.

“We have never received a score lower than a 1 rating,” Cooper said, “some years even getting a 1+.”

“This was my last year going to the state fair and it was way better than last year,” senior Eli Snively said.  “Last year it was really hot and miserable and I thought for sure we would get a 2.”

The most recent trip to the State fair for band was on Wednesday, Sept. 11, and resulted in the BHS band receiving 1’s in all categories.  

Bands from all over the state of Kansas come to perform starting as early as 9 am and going late into the day.

“Being at the fair lets us see some bands from across the state and compare ourselves to them,” Cooper said. “It keeps all of us on our toes.”

“I just moved from Ulysse Kansas where marching was our main focus for band,” junior Tiffany Wise said. “We’ve never been to the state fair for competition so this experience was super cool.”