Parade Grand Marshals have long ties with fair

    The Chase County Fair wouldn’t be possible without hours and hours of volunteer help.
    When it comes to volunteers, those affiliated with the fair’s organization and planning are quite familiar with Ed and Arlys Cupp and Jeannine Cox, all of Champion.
    That trio is this year’s pick as the Fair Parade Grand Marshals. The Imperial Chamber of Commerce organizes and runs the parade each year for the Chase County Fair Board.
    Chris Lee, a member of the chamber’s parade committee, said the Grand Marshals all have done so much for Chase County and Imperial in so many ways, especially at fair time.
    “A lot of what they do goes unrecognized and people don’t always see what they do,” Lee said of the trio.
    “They have that kind of hearts and are just good people,” he said.
    All three Grand Marshals have their own unique involvement in the fair.
    Ed Cupp is well known as the fair’s Expo Director. This will be his 24th fair heading up that major aspect of the fair which includes more than 100 display booths inside two buildings and on the expansive northwest section of the fairgrounds.
    His work starts in mid-June when contracts go out to previous participants, who have first shot at a space, Cupp said.
    If one chooses not to return, Cupp has a waiting list.
    “We’ve always been full—every year,” he said.
    In addition, Cupp also helps out where he can with general maintenance—he’s even unplugged a few toilets over the years, he said.
    “I go where I’m needed,” he said.
    He fell into the position when asked by then fair board member Bart Stromberger to take it on when they attended the Denver Stock Show in 1999.
    He’s held the position ever since.
    As a 32-year 4-H leader and mom, Arlys Cupp has been very involved in the 4-H aspect of the fair, helping members of the Challengers 4-H Club get their projects ready and entered.
    She’s also been a 4-H project judge in area counties, and also has the Nebraska State Fair marked off on her calendar each year when she supports local 4-H and FFA entries.
    At Chase County Schools, where she teaches second grade, Arlys also works with students each year to enter the state fair’s education division, with many coming home with ribbons and scholarships.
    All of the couple’s children have been involved in the livestock shows at fair, too, and daughter Morayah will compete for her final year in 2022.
    Along with Arlys’ mom Jeannine Cox, two of the large flower displays on the fairgrounds are due to their gardening talents.
    The display at the entrance of Allo Arena is done each year in memory of Jeannine’s mother and Arlys’ grandmother, Mabel Bernard.
    “She loved the demo derby,” Arlys said, and is why they located the flower display in that area.
    While there is no demo derby at this year’s fair, it has graced the entrance at many previous ones.
    Arlys said she also helps her mom prepare and take care of another flower display just east of the main livestock show arena on the grounds.
    Cox helps her daughter with her 4-H club as a “behind-the-scenes” expert.
    All three of the Grand Marshals can be found each year at the livestock shows in which their children and grandchildren are participants.
    You’ll also find Arlys, and maybe Jeannine, too, serving customers during fair from the Latte’ Da beverage booth owned by the Cupp family. They again have a spot reserved at this year’s fair.
    Arlys Cupp will start her 39th year as a teacher this year, currently in second grade at Chase County Schools. She also taught earlier in her career in Lamar and Champion.
    Cox is a retired elementary school teacher, beginning her career in Wauneta,where she taught nine years. She finished her teaching at Imperial Grade School and Chase County Schools.
    Ed Cupp has been sole owner of AACE Wash Systems the past 10 years, originally in partnership with Chad and Amy Leibbrandt when the Imperial business opened 13 years ago.
Parade details
    This year’s parade theme is “Here’s to the Chase County Fair—Cheers!”
    The parade is one of the fair’s best attended events. The 2022 edition is set for Saturday, Aug. 13, at 10:30 a.m. in Imperial.
    There are five divisions for entry—organizations, business/professional, religious, equestrian and open class.
    Participants should begin lining up at 8:30 a.m., and those wanting to be judged must be in line by 9 a.m., Lee said.
    The check-in table for all entries will be set up in front of the Imperial Manor at 10th and Grant Streets, where the parade begins.
    It will travel east along 10th Street, then turn south on Broadway until 3rd Street.
    The Chamber would like all participants to submit a free entry form, so they can plan for numbers.
    Copies are available at Allo in Imperial, and a form appears in this week’s issue. Completed forms can be returned to Allo or mailed to Parade Committee, PO Box 103, Imperial NE 69033.