Anticipation builds as county fair hits crescendo this week

Fifty percent of Old Dominion tickets sold
By Jan Schultz
The Imperial Republican
    Even with five 4-H shows completed, there is much more in store for 4-H youths, their families and other fair-goers,  with a host of events on tap for all ages at the Chase County Fair & Expo.
    On Monday, Fair Board President Chad Oxford said “All’s going great” so far as he encouraged people to make plans to attend the many events through Sunday.
    More than 100 exhibitors will be in place by noon Wednesday for the expo, on the grounds and in two exhibit buildings. The Chase County Fair Expo is one of the largest held in western Nebraska. The expo continues through Saturday, opening at 12 noon daily.
    Excitement is really building for the Friday and Saturday night grandstand shows, according to fair board entertainment chairman Alex McNair.
    He reports 50 percent of the Old Dominion/Casey Donahew concert Saturday night were sold as of Monday, while 30 percent of Friday’s Foghat/Quiet Riot tickets had been purchased.
    On Monday, McNair also said numbers for Wednesday’s Christian Family Show, featuring rising star Danny Gokey were at about 15 percent, but they expected a lot of walk-up ticket buyers for all the concerts.
    Wednesday’s Christian Family Show returns to the fairgrounds this year and starts at 7:30 p.m. in the grandstand. Doors open at 7 p.m.
    From here, Gokey will be in Gothenburg for the “Livin’ Out Loud” concert, where he’ll join some of the nation’s other top Christian music performers together on one outdoor stage Saturday and Sunday.
    Sunday’s 4-H horse show, the first of the week-long list of events, dealt with over half an inch of rain the night before.
    Muddy conditions at the north end of the arena forced a slight relocation of some events, as 4-Hers altered the norm and entered from the gates on the south.
    Monday featured other small animal 4-H shows including dogs, rabbits and poultry.
    Tuesday’s barrel racing, exhibit building entry judging and the Ranch Rodeo are in the books, too, as the community and thousands of visitors get ready to enjoy the rest of fair week.
    It’s the biggest week in Chase County all year. Whether you’re ready or not, the number of events grows as the week unfolds.
    Here’s a recap of the rest of the week’s events.
Thursday events
    The last of the 4-H livestock shows arrives Thursday morning with the 8:30 a.m. beef show. Forty-one 4-H/FFA exhibitors were registered for the event in the show barn arena.
    At 1 p.m., amateur talent from the area will compete for the chance to move onto the State Fair and the Galaxy of Stars semi-finals there.
    The High Plains Radio Talent Search presented by KADL will be in the open air pavilion and is free. Chase County’s 9th St. Singers will also perform during the show.
    The first of six free shows with Magician Keith Leff will begin Thursday at 3:30 p.m. He’ll also perform at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, as well as twice on Friday and twice Saturday.
    After the 4 p.m. youth penny dive at the Imperial pool, the night caps off with the 29th annual Demolition Derby at 6:30 p.m. in the grandstand arena.
    Hosted by the Imperial Jaycees, coordinator Chris Lee said they usually have about 20 entries. There is no preregistration required for the no weld and pickup divisions.
    The derby will award $8,000 in purse money to winners.
    Along with the adult derby,

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