This small town showed up in a big way for the county fair

    Beginning even on Wednesday night, typically a slower time at Phillips County Fair, board members were hearing comments about just how many people were in attendance. As animals were weighed in for the July 24-29 fair, fairgoers enjoyed the Thrashers softball team activities and a ranch rodeo, complete with mutton busting, Wednesday night.
    And as the week went on, large numbers kept showing up at the various events. Fair board president Kayla Kafka said, “We really appreciated the outstanding turnout of the crowd,” adding that she thinks the new pavilion and education center was a big draw for people who wanted to see how it had turned out.
    The pavilion also meant that livestock showing, judging and selling could continue uninterrupted regardless of the rain, wind and mud that people had to contend with outdoors. Kafka also noted that people at this year’s fair were generally very patient and understanding that the new facility will take some getting used to.
    Also back at the fair again this year were the Thursday night barrel racing and the Saturday night Bulls Gone Wild! show. A new event, Heartland Pulling tractor and truck pull was scheduled for Friday night, but it was ultimately canceled due to rain. That didn’t, however, stop people from making the most of the day at the fair.
    The American Ninja Warrior course, as well as trampolines and inflatables being run by Pumpkins and More A-maiz-ing Farm, gave kids plenty to do. Some additional mutton busting was also added that evening.
    Kafka thinks people would have loved that truck and tractor pull, but things worked out OK even with its cancellation. It has been rescheduled for Saturday, Aug. 18.
    Concerts have seen varying success over the years of Phillips County fairs. This year, the board opted to try something new. Country artist Lexi Larsen was scheduled to perform in the beer garden Saturday night, after Bulls Gone Wild! had finished. The strategy worked out well, and board members were pleasantly surprised by the turnout.
    The fair often concludes Sunday morning with a community church service at the fairgrounds. Last year it was not included in the schedule, but this year it was brought back by popular demand.
    Overall, Kafka said she was pleased with the 2018 fair and the community involvement, despite some changes to the scheduled plans.