Fair schedule set; naming rights granted

    The Chase County Fair is but two weeks away, and plans are being finalized for the week-long event, Aug. 8-15.
    Fair sponsors will be receiving fair brochures next week with an updated schedule and recognition of its many sponsors.    
    Fair board member Jakob Burke, who coordinates ticketing and marketing, said 2,500 fair brochures will be out next week and the public will be able to pick one up at fair sponsor locations. It will also be downloadable next week on their website: chasecountyfair.com.
    When fairgoers are on the grounds, they will also notice a newly-named building and arena.
    The fair’s expo building will now be  known as the Nutrien Event Center. The arena, which has undergone extensive renovation over the last 18 months, will become the Allo Arena.
    Board Vice President Scott Way said these sponsors wanted to make a multi-year committment to the fair. Naming rights to the facilities proved to be the best option for a multi-year committment.
    Over the years, Great Plains Communications has been, and continues to be, a top-level supporter and ongoing concert sponsor.
    Granting naming rights keeps Great Plains as the fair’s only concert sponsor.
New fair activities
     The fair schedule has some new activities.
    One of the newly-named activities this year is the Pepsi Family Fun Day on Wednesday, Aug. 11, in front of the grandstand.
    From 1 to 5 p.m., there will be a myriad of fun and free contests for young and old alike. Previously held events including the turtle races and mutton bustin’ (60 lb. limit for entrants) are returning and will be part of the Pepsi Fun Day afternoon.
    CASA volunteers will organize the frozen T-shirt contest also held Wednesday afternoon in front of the grandstand.
    New events added under the Pepsi Fun Day umbrella include putt-putt golf and calf and steer riding for youths, Burke noted.
    Each year, the fair board contracts with an entertainer for free shows held several days of the fair.
    This year, “Critter Close-Ups” will give three shows each day Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 12-14, in the open air pavilion.
    Jodi Osborne of Herman has always had a passion for animals, according to her website. But her passion for exotics began with her first Capuchin monkey, Dexter. That passion quickly grew into a business, to educate and entertain people of all ages.
    Some of the animals fairgoers may get to see up close during one of her nine programs are the Capuchin monkeys, a Burmese python, cockatoo, Sugar gliders, red kangaroo, mini pigs, a ferret, Nigerian dwarf goat and a Sulcata tortoise, among others.
    The Critter Close-Ups free shows are scheduled for:
    Thursday, Aug. 12—1:30, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.
    Friday, Aug. 13—10 a.m., 4 and 6 p.m.
    Saturday, Aug. 14—3, 5 and 7 p.m.
    The switch two years ago, moving the Jaycees demo derby from Thursday to Sunday, and putting the Heartland Pulling Series Tractor Pull on Thursday night instead of Sunday proved a good move, based on attendance in 2019.
    That prompted the fair board to keep those two events on that same schedule this year.
    This year’s Christian Family show on Wednesday will feature the trio, 3D Gospel. The trio sings old gospel classics rarely heard anymore.  
    One event not on the schedule this year is the Chase County Schools’ 9th St. Singers performance Thursday afternoon. A new show choir director is coming on board at CCS this fall, and time constraints on getting a show ready prevented a performance.
Ticket sales
    Those planning to go to either grandstand show at the fair Friday and Saturday, Aug. 13-14, may want to buy tickets before Sunday.
    On Aug. 1, the face value of the tickets will increase $5, Burke said.
    Hairball with an opening performance from Romero will be on stage Friday, Aug. 13. Granger Smith with special guest The Josh Abbott Band will perform Aug. 14.
    Burke said ticket sales for the two shows are on pace to be a record year.
    The carnival will return for the fair, and will offer daily passes, as well as the mega ride pass for the entire week of riding, Burke said. The $59.95 mega pass can be purchased in advance. Day passes for $30 will also be sold, he said.
    Tickets for both shows, as well as the demo derby, tractor pull and carnival ride mega pass can be purchased on the fair’s website.