HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System has increased its annual support of the Kansas State Fair with the sponsorship of Kansas’ Largest Classroom, a program that includes participation from preschool through college level students from throughout Kansas.

More than 11,000 students participated in the program during the 2016 Fair and an increase is expected for this year’s event. Kansas’ Largest Classroom participants explore the Fairgrounds and sometimes design their experience to emphasize a special subject. Many participants undertake hands-on activities including art, agriculture, the milking parlor, and a spelling bee.

Anthea Bryant, who coordinates the educational programs at the Kansas State Fair, is pleased to partner with Hutch Regional. “The Kansas State Fair is pleased to welcome Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System as an outstanding partner of our educational program,” Bryant said.

Ken Johnson, President, and CEO said the sponsorship of Kansas’ Largest Classroom is a good fit for HRHS in that a majority of the participants in the program represent schools within the Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System service area.

“For more than 100 years, Hutchinson has been honored to host the Kansas State Fair to provide a venue for plenty of entertainment options for fairgoers,” Johnson said. “The State Fair is to be commended for their outstanding efforts to make the annual event an educational opportunity, especially as it relates to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects and Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System is pleased to assist with this worthy endeavor.”

Also, Johnson said Reno County EMS personnel, which operates under the umbrella of HRHS, will be stationed on the fairgrounds during the duration of the 10-day State Fair to assist fair-goers with their medical needs and emergencies.