Chase County Fair still on schedule

It’s not summertime in Chase County without the Chase County Fair (CCF).
With COVID-19 restrictions, many are wondering if the fair will still happen or what will be different.
Right now, the fair is still on as scheduled for Aug. 9-16.
CCF Board President Chad Oxford said 90% of events will happen at this point, regardless of Gov. Ricketts’ Directed Health Measures (DHMs), some of which are being applied in stages.
Chase County and most of Nebraska are currently in Phase 3 of Ricketts’ reopening schedule.
Phase 3 includes outdoor gatherings being limited to 75% of rated occupancy.
“If it comes to it, we have options like moving the stage back to increase occupancy space,” Oxford said.
He doesn’t feel ticket sales will suffer.
In fact, “We’re kind of at a record right now compared to past years,” Oxford said.
The hope is that Ricketts’ Phase 4 will be in effect before fair.
Phase 4 includes increasing the occupancy to 100%.
“It’s hard to say” whether out-of-town crowds will be lower this year,” Oxford said. “We’re just right now going as is and if something comes up we’ll address it then.”