Labor Day weekend brings the traditional end of summer all over the country, but in Mariposa County it also brings the biggest celebration of the year. The Mariposa County Fair’s “Big Time in a Small Town” opens on Friday, Sept. 3 and runs through Monday, Sept. 6.

Mariposa County Fair Manager Brian Bullis is probably the busiest guy in the county this week, but he is excited to welcome visitors on Friday for something unique. “Mariposa County Fair and Homecoming has something special you will not find at any other fair, that is the ‘homecoming’ aspect of our fair,” he said. “People who have ties to Mariposa come home each year to enjoy family, friends, and great fun.”

The grounds open at noon on Friday, and the carnival rides start twirling at 4 p.m. There are all kinds of strolling acts on the grounds, musical entertainment and livestock judging on Friday afternoon and evening.

The signature of Friday’s events is Family Fun Night, sponsored by Foster’s True Value Hardware. The dachshund races begin at 6 p.m. in the Gold Bowl. The stick horse races start at 6:30 p.m., followed by the ultimate cowboy and cowgirl contest at 6:45 p.m. The hilarious barnyard scramble begins at 7:30 p.m., and the couple’s wheelbarrow race concludes the night’s events at 8 p.m. All events are free. The dance floor in the Amigo Stage area will be open from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Saturday’s activities start early, with horse show events at 8 a.m., and livestock judging at 9 a.m. Buildings open at 10 a.m. The stock horse show begins at 11 a.m., and the parade steps off at the same time in downtown Mariposa. The carnival opens at 12:30 p.m. The featured event of the night is the destruction derby at 7 p.m. in the Gold Bowl. The Chris Gardener Band performs for dancing from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on the Amigo Stage.

Local team roping competition begins at 8 a.m. on Sunday, followed by kids’ dummy roping at noon. Livestock judging begins at 9 a.m., and cowboy church starts at 10 a.m. in the Amigo Stage area. The carnival opens at 12:30 p.m.

The local saddle roping and champion of champions competition starts at 1 p.m. in the Gold Bowl, and there is a karaoke contest in the Amigo Stage area from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The diaper derby is set for 3 p.m., followed by the tricycle race at 4 p.m. The CCPRA rodeo starts at 8 p.m. in the Gold Bowl. Whiskey Dawn performs at the Amigo Stage from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Monday is senior citizens’ day at the fair. Round robin showmanship takes place from 10 a.m. to noon, and the seniors’ program is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Western Fairs Blue Ribbon Award will be presented to Barbara Appling and Johnny Hogan, posthumously, at noon on the Amigo dance slab.

The carnival opens at 12:30 p.m., followed by watermelon seed spitting contest at 3:30 p.m. The buildings close at 8 p.m.

Bullis said the wide variety of entertainment and events should draw people from all walks of life. “Mariposa Fair has something for everybody, so please come and enjoy a true piece of Americana and celebrate life,” he said.