New events complement a full fair schedule

    With the first few days of the Chase County Fair now history, residents and visitors are gearing up for a full four days ahead.
    A couple of new events have fit their way into an already packed schedule.
    In addition to the many returning events and activities, fair-goers will also enjoy a couple of new events this year—axe throwing and a dog pulling contest.
    Fair board member Troy Space said axe throwing is a new craze sweeping the country, and people at the Chase County Fair will have the chance to experience it.
    Axe Kickers of Broken Bow will be set up in the outdoor expo area, Space said. Owner Ken Teichmeier is bringing his mobile axe throwing booth here and will be set up all four days of the expo, Wednesday through Saturday, from noon to 7 p.m.
    Two, 15-foot lanes will be established for people 16 years and older to try their best to throw an axe at the target.
    Anyone 16 or 17 must have a parent or guardian-signed waiver to participate, and all trying their luck must have closed-toe shoes, Space said.
    Another new event—a dog pull—has been added to the Pepsi Fun Day events Wednesday. Registration will start at 4:30 p.m. at the fair office building, with the pull beginning at 5 p.m.
    Coordinator Marcie Kelley said the contest is for dogs of all sizes and is patterned after tractor pulls. There will be five weight classes, and depending on their size, dogs will pull a filled soft drink can up to an empty beer keg, she said.
    “We want dogs of all sizes and breeds,” she said.
    There will be a $20 entry fee per animal, and prizes to first place in each class. Proceeds from the event will be donated to an animal shelter to be named, Kelley said.
    Contact Kelley with questions, 308-414-0901.
Only one horseshoe tourney
    This year’s schedule includes just one horseshoe tournament on Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the beef barn pits.
    In the past, separate open and Chase County-only horseshoes were played, but they’ve been combined into one open tourney this year, said coordinator Janiel Kimble.
    There are still slots open for 2-person teams, with a maximum of 12. Register with Kimble by calling 308-883-1985.
    With that change, the fair’s cornhole tournament was moved to the Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. time slot at the beef barn pits, said organizer Jeff Lempke.     Lempke is taking registrations for 2-person teams at 308-882-8474.
    The 4-H/FFA livestock shows continue Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday’s schedule features the hog, sheep and goat shows, while Thursday is reserved for the beef show.
    The livestock sale is set for 2 p.m. Friday.
    See the schedule with this story, as the many events lead up to the grandstand shows Friday and Saturday nights featuring 38 Special and Tyler Braden Friday and Scotty McCreery and ERNEST on Saturday. Both concerts start at 7:30 p.m.
    The fair kicked off with a successful, day-long 4-H Horse Show Sunday, which enjoyed beautiful, mid-70s weather.     
    Activities continued Monday with the poultry, rabbit and companion animal shows and barrel racing, while activity took a breather much of the day Tuesday for livestock, 4-H/FFA projects and open class projects to be entered.
    Tuesday night featured the Ranch Rodeo and bronc riding in Allo Arena.
    The color brochures are now out with the full schedule of events and recognition of fair sponsors.
    They can be found at the info booth on the fairgrounds and in several local businesses.