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County Fair Board Discusses Event Options

Discussions in the October meeting of the Cheyenne County Fair board focused less on what can be done and more on how much can be done.

The board discussed options of organizations and companies sponsoring events during fair week. The extensive list of potential events varied from a dog show and costume contest to a pedal tractor pull contest. The list of possible events was presented by board member Shelly Sutherland. Sutherland said each event would be sponsored and the sponsoring organization would be responsible for the program’s success.

The board also discussed how to design a beer garden at the fairgrounds. The discussion included where to designate the beer garden, who to manage it and how to build it. One option considered is the east side of the grandstands. The board also discussed designating a location near the west entrance to the grandstands. The board also discussed if consumption would be limited to the designated beer garden, or also in the grandstands. As of the Oct. 24 meeting, the board is still in the planning stage of introducing a beer garden.

The board anticipates a tractor pull returning to the county fair for 2023. Fans can expect the event to again be on Thursday night.

The board also talked on management of the rodeo, and how to contract for the rodeo management. Discussion included fundraising and how to differentiate between supporters who only want to fund specific programs, such as the rodeo, and those who support the fair overall.

Stephen Powell and Ashley Tomburg offered their resignations from the board. Powell’s resignation is effective immediately with Monday’s meeting his last official role on the board. Powell said one of the reasons he’s resigning is the commitment during fair week.

“I can’t be out there all the time. My body just can’t take it anymore,” he said.

Tomberg said she will be resigning at the end of the year because of anticipated medical procedures.

The board and Cheyenne County Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Tom Payne discussed whether to build new, or to update existing restroom facilities. The fairgrounds has restrooms near the south side of the grandstands, and in the 4-H building. During Oktoberfest, the sewer lines for the 4-H building collapsed and have since been repaired. Payne and the board discussed building a new, more centralized facility in exchange for repairing existing facilities.

Payne said the cheapest approach is to repair the west bathrooms.

“I just have to see what is feasible,” he said.

 

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