Fair opening with top-notch free events

You've heard it said before ... and you'll hear it said again ... that the best things in life are free. While admitting that might not always be the case, we do know that -- quite often -- opportunities arise for great experiences at absolutely no out-of-pocket cost.

The reason we are bringing this up is the free, family night activities which will launch the 2003 Red Willow County Fair. Starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday evening and lasting until past 10, fairgoers will be treated to two shows -- "Church Night" and the "Colgate Country Showdown" -- at a zero admission charge.

You are free to come and go, but, our guess is, once you arrive you'll want to stick around for the finale, which will be a performance by a country music recording star, Chad Simmons. Best known for two hits, "Heaven Sent" and "I Will," Simmons is gaining play again with a song called, "Soldier with a Gun."

The country singing star will not only perform, he will also help judge the contestants in the McCook area "Colgate Country Showdown." Ten area entrants will be taking part in the showdown, which will take place in front of the fair grandstand, starting at 8 p.m. The judges -- Dale Dueland of McCook, Susan Nelson of Oberlin and Simmons -- will select the local winner. The chosen performer will win the right to compete in the state contest at the Knox County Fair in Bloomfield.This is all leading up to the national showdown, which has a $100,000 payoff for the champion. For the second straight year, the local competition is being sponsored by Coyote Country 105.3 and Prairie 93.9.

Earlier Wednesday evening, talented entertainers from McCook churches and a nationally syndicated storyteller will share the spotlight at the new, spacious Kiplinger Arena. The humorous and inspirational storyteller is Torry Martin, one of the writers of the "Adventures in Odyssey" stories for Focus on the Family.

You will also be treated to local talent, including Steve Bales of the McCook Nazarene Church, Derek Beck and Christy Stevens of the Evangelical Free Church, Jason Van Pelt, Brad and Adrienne Randel of the McCook Christian Church and J.D. Hooten of the Assembly of God Church. Also performing will be the Praise Team from the First Baptist Church, the Mixed Quartet from the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and the "When We Are Not Eating Pie" praise singers from the United Methodist Church. Serving as master of ceremonies will be the Rev. Clark Bates, pastor of the McCook Christian Church, who, with the help of Margie Hauxwell, made arrangements for the Church Night program.

It's a night of family entertainment, and it's free. What a wonderful way to start the best attended event of the year in this area -- the Red Willow County Fair. Come one! Come all! It will be great fun ... and you can't beat the price.