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| Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette |
From blueberry-flavored cotton candy to fun-house mirrors, the Red Willow County Fair in McCook has it all Thursday evening. Cara, top left, and Bailey Oltmer of rural Indianola show off their blue smiles after eating cotton candy during the llama show, and Jacob Fritsche, top right, of McCook looks at his lo-o-o-o-ong fingers in the mirror in the merchants' building. Cory Cuellar of Mullen, above center left, petted the wolf in the Collicott Taxidermy display, also in the merchants' building. A toothless Riley Wiese, above center right, of Steamboat Springs, Colo., enjoyed riding the little kids' rides as she vacationed with her grandmother, MaryAnn Hlavinka of McCook. Older riders were strapped in tight on the "Zendor." Another visitor to McCook and the county fair was 12-year-old Stephen Norton of Yutan, who played Lions Club bingo, above left, with his cousin, Zachary Latimer of McCook. The fair continues today, with a performance by members of Robin's School of Dance in the Kiplinger Arena at 5:30 p.m.; Moore's Greater Show carnival also opens at 5:30 p.m. The first performance of the Nebraska State Rodeo Association rodeo begins at 8 p.m. in front of the open-air grandstand.
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I think the fair is crapy. We used to have a great fair when my children were young the HEART OF AMERICA.. The prices are outrageous. With the ecomony is like it is and you want people to pay 5-6 dollars and only have a band 1 night for 3 hours it sucks. That is why we go to the Oberlin Fair it is inexpensive and clean. Find a different fair that has more rides Heart of America had at least 10 adult rides or more every year.
As time goes by, things change. Sure, in the past, the county fair was really good. Lots more of everything. Machinery, exhibits, merchant booths. Now we have streamlined most of our fun.
As I have heard, the Heart of America shows couldn't come to us because of booking differences in the past. And now it is because of the cost. We all have to remember that times are changing and so is the cost of it. We all would like to have the best for a carnival. Still the kids have fun with what can be provided. 4-H is still alive and makes it's appearance every year at the fair.
I do believe the fair at Oberlin is good. I have went there and enjoyed it too. Now, the cost of driving has some bearing on going to it. Their carnival is "home owned" which makes a big difference. No immense overhead costs from traveling across the country. And the local people donate their time and money to keep the place running.
Does it ever occur to anyone that maybe sometime McCook / Red Willow County could get themselves started with a "home owned" carnival?? The cost of having a company come in here for a week or less could pay for it in a short time. And maybe if the local people would donate time and money, not a fixed sum of money, we could have something similar to what Oberlin has.
I hope that people around this area would donate there time and money and not think that they have to be paid for whatever they do. It's called "pitching in" and helping so all can enjoy. From young to the eldery.
We can make the best of it. It still is there and isn't like other places where there is no carnival.
My family and I thought this was a good carnival (ride tickets were a little pricey), but the midway was clean, game workers were decent, and the fair itself was a lot of fun! This is our first Red Willow County fair, and where we came from the fair board didn't put nearly as much effort and planning into it as this one did. People of this area should be proud of the fair! If you think it was "crappy" (check your spelling) then invest in a little gas and drive more than 60 miles in any direction and compare for yourself. The RW County fair has nothing to be ashamed of!
Why must people be so critical and only see the bad side of things. We live in this area BY CHOICE. We have those in charge to make decisions. We might not agree, but, we must make the best of it. I, too, grew up here with a huge carnival. Times do change and the economy dictates what could be available. Even the State Fair is having HUGE money problems. We are so lucky to have such a wonderfully planned and executed County Fair. Many counties are not so fortunate. Stock cars, Rodeos, many FREE events at the Kiplinger arena, and local food vendors, if you didn't want the "fair" food.
Yes, the carnival rides were pricey....but it was clean and friendly. I also wonder about the timing of the wrist bands.....but just deal with it, and look at the good things. County Fair is about the Youth of the area doing good things for the community. Just let them. Our hats off to everyone who contributed in some fashion--the Fair Board and Rodeo committee, 4-H and extension service, volunteers in every area, food vendors who endured the heat so we could have great food, and yes, even the carnival folks who put up with us. Thank you.