Chase Co. Fair 2021 theme highlights post-COVID era

    Now that COVID-related mandates seem to be a thing of the past, the Chase County Fair Board wants to celebrate 2021 with a “No Restrictions” fair theme next month.
    The Imperial Chamber of Commerce also announced this week they will follow that theme for the parade which it coordinates each year.
    Fair board member Jakob Burke, who handles ticketing and marketing, said this will be the first year in awhile in which the fair theme and the parade theme are the same.
    He said the “No Restrictions” theme the fair board decided on relates to the COVID aftermath.
    Concern last year with COVID led to a cancelled 2020 fair in its week-long format, although the Chase County Extension Office and volunteers organized the livestock shows.
    Burke said the theme is pretty self-explanatory for this year’s fair Aug. 8-15.
    “We picked the theme because of the COVID regulations last year, and we are having a little fun with it” this year, Burke said.
    Chris Lee, a Chamber parade committee member, said fairgoers won’t notice much change in the Saturday, Aug. 14, parade as the same five divisions will return, along with prizes of chamber bucks to winners.
    The parade divisions include: organizations, business/professional, religious, equestrian and open class.
    Judging of entries will start at 9 a.m., with the parade to start at 10:30 a.m. led by local law enforcement and the VFW Color Guard.
    There is no entry fee, but participants will vie for a first and second in each division, and an additional grand prize.
    First place in each division will be awarded $50 in chamber bucks, with $25 to second place. Grand prize will win $75 in chamber bucks. The Chamber provides the prizes.
    Entry forms will be available now at Waypoint Bank or The Imperial Republican office.