Ya'll come on out to the fair

Get out of that easy chair, put on some comfortable duds, and head to the 2003 Red Willow County Fair. You won't be disappointed, because -- once again this year -- the Red Willow County Fair Board and Fair Manager Deb Lafferty have put together a rip-roaring, action-packed schedule of shows and special events.

After whetting fairgoers' interest with tonight's free family night, the fair will surge forward with a full slate of thrills and spills Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Every night's show will feature crowd-pleasing action, with swift-moving stock car races set for Thursday night, followed by rough-and-tumble NSRA rodeo competition on Friday and Saturday nights, and Red Willow County's first-ever Figure 8 race on Sunday night.

All those events will be in front of the open air grandstand, but the fair board is also making extensive use of the massive indoor Kiplinger Arena. Events are planned at the arena every evening, including the Lil' Red Tractor Pull Thursday at 6 o'clock and the Robin's School of Dance performance at 6 p.m. Friday.

Afternoon and early evening events Saturday and Sunday will also be at the Kiplinger Arena. The always fun-to-watch Mutton Busting Contest, featuring sheep riders weighing under 60 pounds, will take place in the arena at 3 p.m. Saturday, followed by the Chore Relay at 5 o'clock. Then, on Sunday, the Kiplinger Arena will be the site of Cowboy Church at 10:30 a.m. and Draft Horse Competition at 1 p.m.

To come up with the schedule of events, the fair board blended popular events of the past with some new and intriguing twists. For one thing, the fair board is switching the fair's rodeo affiliation to the NSRA, which stands for Nebraska State Rodeo Association. In past years, the Red Willow Fair was tied to the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association), but it became increasingly difficult to get enough rodeo performers to compete. This year, the stock supplier will be Rodeo Rose out of Hershey, and there will be two new events -- team roping and women's break-away roping.

Also new this year will be Figure 8 racing, the main attraction for Sunday night. Although new to this area, the sport has proven highly popular back east. Figure 8 racing takes place on a short, looping track, with action aplenty as drivers scrape and slam for position on the tight course.

Come to the fair, and while you're there, say a word of thanks to the fair board and the sponsors and promoters who make it possible, including Adams Bank and Trust, KICX 96.1, Mike's Achievement Plus, Coyote Country 105.3, Prairie 93.9, First Central Bank, Southwest Implement, K-Rock 98.5, KFNF 101.1, McCook Farm Equipment, Oldies 1300 KBRL, McCook National Bank, Pepsi and McCookNet.

Because of widespread community support and year-around planning by the fair board, the Red Willow County Fair has become one of the county's most popular events. Take advantage of the opportunity. Get out of that easy chair and come one, come all to the Red Willow County Fair.