Chase County Fair brings new events for public

It is almost time for Western Nebraska’s Grandest Fair.
The Chase County Fair & Expo will take place Aug. 13-20.
The theme for this year is “Come Home to the Chase County Fair.”
The annual Round-up dinner will be on Friday at the Nutrien Event Center.
“This dinner is for all of our sponsors and is a kick off for the 2023 Chase County Fair,” said fair board member Jake Burke.
The event is only open to fair sponsors and anyone attending with them.
A steak dinner will be served and a Comedic Game Show will be presented.
Livestock shows
begin Wednesday
Week day mornings will mostly consist of 4-H and FFA livestock and animal shows.
Wednesday will be the swine show at 8:30 a.m. and the sheep show at 11 a.m.
The beef show is scheduled for Thursday beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Friday the round robin competition will be at 9 a.m. and the auction will be at 2 p.m.
Fair activities all week
While many of the traditional events remain the same, Burke shared that there are a few new events for the fair and a few changes to existing events.
Changes have been made to the Wednesday’s Mutton Bustin’ for this year.
“The Chase County Fair has joined Gene Jolly’s Southwest Nebraska Kids’ Rodeo circuit, and will include PeeWee mutton bustin’ for ages 4-7, with a 55-pound weight limit,” said fair board member Caitlin Pollmann.
The Draft Horse Obstacle Competition is a new event taking place in the Allo Arena on Wednesday starting at 6 p.m.
Also on Wednesday prior to the draft horses, the Dog Keg pull returns after its inaugural competition last year. Registration begins at 5 p.m. and the pulls begin at 5:30 p.m.
“Another new attraction is there will be a RC race track that is 1/16 the size of a Nascar track people can race each other,” said Burke.
Barrel races and the Ranch Rodeo will take place in the Grandstand Arena on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.  The open barrel races and ranch rodeo each start at 5 p.m.
Plenty of favorite events are being brought back this year including ax throwing in the Expo area, the Heartland Pulling Series Tractor Pull on Thursday, horseshoe and cornhole tournaments and Saturday’s Fun Run.
Concerts Wednesday,
Friday, Saturday
The fair’s first concert will be the Christian Show by Lone Star Jubilee Wednesday. The concert will be held in the Open Air Pavilion at 7 p.m.
The two Grandstand Shows will take place Friday and Saturday night.
Co-Headliners Black Stone Cherry and Southall will perform Friday night.
The Saturday night show will be Ian Munsick with special guest Megan Moroney.
Gates open both nights at 6:30 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. concerts.
“One aspect of this year that will stand out to everyone is that our Saturday Night Concert of Ian Munsick with Special Guest Megan Moroney is on pace to sell out. It has the most interest for a concert in modern history, we have plans in place to increase attendance if we do sell out, but tickets are going fast,” Burke said. Last year’s Scotty McCreery/Ernest show Saturday sold 3,128 tickets.
Tickets and other info is available at chasecountyfair.com.
“This year is shaping up to be one of the best fairs to come, get your tickets now and enjoy the 2023 Chase County Fair,” Burke said.