Fair starts strong with 4-H/FFA, rodeo events

    In just a few days, the Chase County Fair will kick off for another full week of events.
    Starting strong on Sunday and Monday with 4-H and rodeo events, the fair continues with days full of activities until Sunday, Aug. 19.
    There are 10 different 4-H/FFA animal shows and one of them, the horse show, is the opening event of them all this Sunday at 8 a.m. in the grandstand arena.
    Twenty-two riders will compete in events that include reining, trail, barrels, pole bending and more.
    That will be followed on Monday through Thursday, Aug. 13-16, with additional 4-H/FFA shows that include dogs, companion animals, poultry, rabbits, swine, sheep, goats and beef.
    Chase County continues to turn out good numbers for its 4-H/FFA shows at fair.
    Extension Educator Debbie Kuenning said participation is nearly double for the poultry show this year, with 26 exhibitors bringing 83 entries, and others are holding strong.
    She believes the growing interest in poultry follows a societal trend of more backyard birds and families wanting to raise their own flocks.
    “It’s a project that’s universal and economical too,” she said.
    “And, fun for the kids.”
    Participation in the goat show is up this year, too, with nine exhibitors compared to four in 2017. Sheep show numbers also continue strong, she said. The other livestock shows are holding their own in numbers, she added.
    The various livestock and animal shows are held in the show arena barn, the open air pavilion and grandstand arena.
    Check the schedule on page A2 for each show’s time and location.
Ranch rodeo, broncs, barrels
    Monday afternoon and evening will feature barrel racing in the grandstand arena, beginning with exhibitions at 3 p.m. and the first run at 5:30 p.m. Times were moved up a couple hours this year.
    On Tuesday, the 5 p.m. Ranch Rodeo competition is full with 15 teams, but there are still a couple openings for the bronc riding afterwards.
    Coordinator Chance Skomp said there are 18 bronc riders confirmed, and two more openings. If interested, contact him at 308-883-3019.
    In the Ranch Rodeo, teams of four will compete in two different events, in which they must complete a pair of tasks in each one for best times.
    He said several local riders are signed up for both the Ranch Rodeo and bronc riding, and encourages the public to come out and watch.
    A calcutta will precede the Ranch Rodeo at 4: 30 p.m. in the grandstand arena.
    Tuesday’s events aren’t leaving out the kids.
    About 6 p.m., there will be a nickel scramble in the arena. Coordinator Kelsey Steinkraus said $250 in nickels will be distributed on the arena grounds. Youths toddler age up to 12 years who find painted nickels can exchange them for a prize.
Turtles, mutton bustin, frozen
T-shirts on Wednesday;
expo opens at 12 noon

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