Wrangler supper thanks fair sponsors

    More than 140 businesses, organizations and individuals donate annually as Chase County Fair sponsors.
    Fair board members touted their support Friday night as 350 people were served a steak dinner thank-you at the Nutrien Event Center on the fairgrounds.
    It’s an annual event the fair board hosts. Board members Scott Way and Troy Space expressed their appreciation, noting they couldn’t put on the fair without that financial support of so many sponsors.
    Way outlined some of the recent improvements on the grounds and plans for the future.
    After last year’s construction of a new fair board office, which is also used to coordinate food for the entertainers, a new VIP section was added this year on the north side of Allo Arena that is larger and all on one level for special sponsor seating at the shows.
    In the future, Way said their plans are to eventually add on to the west of the Nutrien Event Center to expand its use and seating.
    The board has long wanted to upgrade the entrance to Allo Arena so the hundreds of people attending the shows will be better served when gates are opened, Way said. They hope to get that completed in the near future.
    Plans are also to take down the old beef barn and expand the livestock show arena area, he added.
    Thanks were extended to fair board member Kelly Beard, who kept water on the fairgrounds in this dry summer, and to expo director Ed Cupp for his work in that aspect of the fair, and all the other tasks he completes that go unseen.
    Space said there were “a ton” of board members before them who paved the way for Chase County’s successful fair.
    Former fair board members no longer serving were asked to stand and received a round of applause.
    Eric Reamer of Denver entertained the crowd with magic and mentalism.
    He said his career started 35 years ago in Imperial when he entertained at a local church.
    He’s been on five world tours and performed in 45 states.
    “I’m the most famous magician you’ve never heard of,” he joked.
    He was part of an illusionist show for 15 years. One of the other magicians in the group was David Copperfield, he said.
    Reamer used rope, playing cards, dollar bills and books in his magic tricks, bringing a number of adults and youngsters up on stage.
    Employees of Zoetis cooked the steaks for Friday’s meal, while Casey Francis handled the sides and dessert.
Pioneer farm
    Scott and Linda Clements were presented the Aksarben Farm Family Award plaque during the supper Friday.
    The award is presented by the Aksarben Foundation in partnership with the Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers. It honors the families who have held the same family ownership of land for 100 or more years.
    The Clements farm in Imperial was first farmed by the family in 1917.
    Nearly 10,000 families have been recognized in this Aksarben awards program.