Fair Opens This Week; PRCA Returns

Cheyenne County's Fair and Rodeo should be one not to miss as the Fair Board is pulling out all the stops this year with the best it could find for fun and entertainment.

As always, 4-H activities anchor this year's fair, which begins Thursday morning with the 4-H Fashion Show and judging in Clothing Construction, Table Setting and Life Challenges. All are underway at 9 a.m. in the 4-H Exhibit Building.

Technically, the fair has already started, with competition in Archery Shooting Sports taking place the last day in June. That competition took place at the Sidney Shooting Park. Those results, as well as all other 4-H results, will be printed in a Sun-Telegraph Special Edition after the fair.

Another competition taking place away from the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds will be Friday, when young swine owners will transport their animals to Ovid, Colo., where the Swine Carcass Contest will be held at Ovid Meats.

Small animal and dog judging will open the weekend at the fairgrounds, south of the Livestock Pavilion at 9 a.m.

Saturday morning will also mark the return of PRCA Rodeo to the Cheyenne County Fair and Rodeo. After a 12-year hiatus, cowboys in the top tier of professional rodeo will enter the Sidney arena. The main event will begin at 7 p.m., but slack (cowboys not qualifying for the main event) will begin at 9 a.m. There is no charge to attend and watch the slack performances.

The evening event will also feature a patriotic opening, led by Miss Rodeo Nebraska, Kristin Kohmetscher. Another important feature of the evening will be the introduction of this year's Cheyenne County AKSARBEN Award farm families.

For this year, attending the entertaining events doesn't have to break the bank, as the Fair Board has set prices low enough to fit nearly every budget.

Entry to the PRCA Rodeo Saturday night is just $10 for a family of four, or $5 for individual admission. For the Truck and Tractor Pull on Thursday, July 19, tickets are $10, as are those for the Demolition Derby. This year's musical treat comes from Rodney Aikens, with McKenzie Jaylen as the opener, for only $20.

For those who will be attending most of the grandstand shows, the price gets even better. This year the fair offers a ticket book that covers all shows for just $35.

Action begins on the midway Tuesday evening with a Family Fun Night that will have a number of activities including face painting for the youngsters, and a series of races, from three-legged to a greased watermelon race. For the more adventurous, a zip-line will take participants on a thrilling ride for just $2. All Fun Night events, culminating with a barn dance (with the possibility of other styles), are provided at no or minimal cost.