I love county fair season.
I vividly remember the Lancaster County and Saunders County fairs I attended and participated in as a child.
Remote radio broadcasts from the Dawson County Fair in Lexington and for several years at the Box Butte County Fair in Hemingford certainly highlight by 30-year career in radio broadcasting.
The summer of 1968 was my first opportunity to show livestock at the Lancaster County Fair in Lincoln.
I had joined 4-H in January, and Dad purchased a Hereford steer that I named Duke.
The county fair was held on the Nebraska State Fairgrounds, and the beef show ring was in the middle of a huge arena that seated several hundred people.
This was a day I had long awaited, but when I walked Duke into the ring, his halter unfastened.
I stood there frozen in a state of shock.
Fortunately, Duke didn’t move. The beef judge calmly took the harness and put it back together and directed me to lead Duke around the ring.
The Judge gave me a red ribbon for my efforts, which was disappointing.
Grandpa Henry Horn had been watching from the stands and he met me afterwards and informed me I looked as white as a sheet. Grandpa was laughing, and I didn’t know how to respond. I knew he was right because I was scared to death. Fortunately, my later experiences in a livestock show ring would be more positive and filled with less drama.
I later would show sheep and hogs at both the Lancaster County Fair and the Nebraska State Fair.
In 1976, I was named the top hog showman at the Lancaster County Fair.
This year, at age 65, I entered a photo in the Box Butte County Fair. I wasn’t crazy about the photo, but the judge like it and I received a purple ribbon.
Four generations of our family entered items in open class.
Those who organized the open class building did a marvelous job of showcasing Box Butte County’s talent.
I always enjoy viewing the 4-H and FFA exhibits. Our youth organizations certainly shine.
Very nice crowds attended the cookie jar and livestock auctions.
I scored a cookie jar and tray full of cookies that were consumed at a family dinner on Friday night.
My hope is that the young lady I purchased the jar from uses the money for her college or trade school education and doesn’t spend it on a for certain future boyfriend.
Having our two-year-old grandson stay in Alliance with us during fair week was also an added highlight.
Noah certainly enjoyed the parade, food, and animals. Except for having one of his fingers pecked by a chicken in the Little Red Barn. Some ice cream later relieved the pain.
Super congrats to Margaret and Greg Hansen for being named the fair’s grand marshals. They certainly can also carry the title of Mr. and Mrs. Hemingford for all they do for Bobcatville.
It was a thrill sharing the stage with my wife, Cynthia, and my daughter, Christa as co-emcees and chief musician at the queen contest.
Congrats to this year’s court, Shyla Salcido, Breana Specht, Arielle Lawrence and MaKenna Quick.
All 12 contestants did a marvelous job.
The highlight of the contest was during the talent portion when Shyla explained how to provide oral arguments in livestock judging, rating animals one-two-three-four.
She then had four high school boys appear on stage and she rated them one-two-three-four!!!
Thanks to all for making the 2024 Box Butte County Fair another wonderful experience.
The only down-side of this year’s fair was the heat.
For the first time in several years, I did not participate in the July 26 clean-up day due to the hot weather.
The heat also kept me from attending the August 3 horse show.
Thank goodness for the incredibly pleasant weather that graced us August 8-11.
It was more than a “fair” fair.
It was a wonderful fair.