‘Barn in the USA’ fair is July 21-26

With some modifications in place, the Phillips County Fair is scheduled for July 21-26 at the fairgrounds in Holyoke.

Under the theme “Barn in the USA,” the fairgrounds will be alive with activity.

Fair board members are excited to be planning for the main grandstand events, as well as Saturday morning’s parade. However, those participating in the parade are reminded that candy and other handouts/throwouts are not allowed this year.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, cancellation was announced for this year for the Orphan Grain Train brat feed, salsa contest and Dutch oven cook-off. It is hoped that these events can return to the 2021 schedule.

As of Tuesday morning, July 14, fair board president Kayla Kafka said they’re still unsure whether there will be a carnival for this year’s fair.

Kafka noted there will be sanitizer stations throughout the grounds and buildings.

Plans are still being formulated for serving criteria for the Friday barbecue in the Biesemeier Room in the event center to accommodate social distancing.

In fact, social distancing precautions throughout the grounds and at the events are urged by the fair board.

New at the fair this year is an on-site ATM for those who need it. Kafka said this will be located on the north side of the event center.

Tuesday, July 21

General and 4-H projects will be entered Tuesday, July 21, and 4-H interview judging will be conducted.

Tiny tot horse show entries are scheduled at 12:30 p.m., and the 4-H/FFA horse show begins at 1 p.m.

Team roping will be the feature event of the evening, starting at 5 p.m.

Wednesday, July 22

Livestock will be entered and stalled from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday. It should be noted, however, that the rabbit show had to be canceled due to the highly contagious and fatal rabbit hemorrhagic disease detected in Colorado.

Open class entries in the event center are scheduled from 1-6 p.m.

Wednesday evening, the Thrashers softball team will host its Rocky Mountain oyster dinner at 5:30 p.m. Barrel racing will start at 6 p.m. with free admission. Registration for the Thrashers 21-plus cornhole tournament is at 8:30 p.m., and the competition begins at 9 p.m.

Thursday, July 23

Thursday activities begin with the tiny tot poultry show at 8:45 a.m., followed by the regular poultry show.

Starting at 2 p.m. is the goat show, followed by the catch-it goat contest, tiny tot goat show, swine show and finally the tiny tot swine show.

Topping off the evening is the ranch rodeo at 6 p.m., with free admission.

Friday, July 24

Dairy cow judging will begin at 9 a.m. Friday, followed by the beef show, including the tiny tot bucket calf show. The adult beef judging show will start immediately afterward. Sheep judging, followed by the tiny tot sheep show, starts at 1 p.m., as does horseshoe pitching.

The parade of champions will start at 4 p.m. Afterward, the chicken bingo contest will be held. A barbecue in the Biesemeier Room of the event center starts at 5 p.m.

Rounding out Friday’s activities is the Sunny Ledfurd concert at 7 p.m. Music in the beer garden will follow.

Saturday, July 25

Saturday’s parade begins at 10 a.m., followed by kids’ games in Homesteaders Park.

Cow patty bingo starts at 12:30 p.m. At 1 p.m. is the pet show in Homesteaders Park, horseshoe pitching and the round robin competition. The junior livestock sale is set to begin at 2:30 p.m.

Always a crowd pleaser, Bulls Gone Wild! is returning to Phillips County Fair at 7 p.m. Music in the beer garden will begin at 9:30 p.m. to finish out the night.

Sunday, July 26

Much of Sunday will be focused on simply releasing livestock and exhibits and paying out premiums. There is, however, a community church service at 9 a.m. in the pavilion.

Royalty promotes fair

Key assistants at the fair activities will be Phillips County Fair royalty. They include Lady-in-Waiting Josie Schlachter and Princess Megan Walker.

Schlachter was named lady-in-waiting at the July 11 tryouts last weekend. She will be crowned 2021 Phillips County Fair queen at the Haxtun Corn Festival this fall.