Construction starts on new building at fairgrounds

At the commissioners’ May 26  meeting, Chase County Fair (CCF) Board members gave an update on an offer by Duane Martin of Martin Buildings to put up a 40 x 40 pole barn by the fairgrounds’ arena.
Six months out of the year, the fair board holds meetings in that area.
“The building we had before was an old trailer house,” CCF Board President Chad Oxford said. “Six months out of the year we had meetings in that building, and during fair it’s kind of our home base.”
Martin traded sponsorship and advertising for the new building and arranged for free concrete.
“It won’t be for awhile, but the only part we’re paying for is the inside pieces” like chairs and tables, Oxford said.
Fair board members also announced at the meeting that the Chase County Fair is still scheduled for Aug. 9-16 within the guidelines set forth by the State of Nebraska.
“Everything’s still kind of up in the air,” Oxford said. “But for now it’s on schedule.”
Oxford said the board is working on providing things like hand-washing stations during fair.
The two biggest parts of the fair Oxford is worried about are the parade and carnival.
“With the concerts, we can increase surface area with keeping the capacity,” he said.
Oxford added as more phases of reopenings come forth from Gov. Ricketts’ office the board will know more about how fair will go.