Chase County Fair brings new events

It is almost time for western Nebraska’s grandest fair. 

The Chase County Fair & Expo will take place Aug. 13-20. The theme for this year is “Come Home to the Chase County Fair.” 

The annual round-up dinner will be on Friday at the Nutrien Event Center. “This dinner is for all of our sponsors and is a kickoff for the 2023 Chase County Fair,” said fair board member Jake Burke. The event is only open to fair sponsors and anyone attending with them. A steak dinner will be served and a comedic game show will be presented. 

Livestock shows begin Wednesday

Weekday mornings will mostly consist of 4-H and FFA livestock and animal shows. 

Wednesday will be the swine show at 8:30 a.m. and the sheep show at 11 a.m.

The beef show is scheduled for Thursday, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Friday, the round robin competition will be at 9 a.m., and the auction will be at 2 p.m.

Fair activities all week

While many of the traditional events remain the same, Burke shared that there are a few new events for the fair and a few changes to existing events. 

Changes have been made to Wednesday’s mutton bustin’ for this year. “The Chase County Fair has joined Gene Jolly’s Southwest Nebraska Kids’ Rodeo circuit and will include peewee mutton bustin’ for ages 4-7, with a 55-pound weight limit,” said fair board member Caitlin Pollmann.

The draft horse obstacle competition is a new event taking place in the Allo Arena on Wednesday, starting at 6 p.m. Also on Wednesday prior to the draft horses, the dog keg pull returns after its inaugural competition last year. Registration begins at 5 p.m., and the pulls begin at 5:30 p.m.

“Another new attraction is there will be a RC race track that is 1/16 the size of a Nascar track people can race each other,” said Burke. 

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