Fair week was a combination of barbecues, contests, exhibits, and once-a-year catch-ups. From the pet show to sugar cookie decorating to team roping’s and the AG Olympics, this year’s celebration was a ‘Grand Fiesta’. 

Exhibits at the fair showcased various booths set up by vendors including the Niobrara County Homemakers with posters honoring their unsung hero, this year the award going to Vicki Boldon, the Niobrara Conservation District, which celebrated its 50th birthday last month, and a booth dedicated to Niobrara County history the reserve grand champion, which included period clothing pieces, various old print newspaper articles with such headlines as ‘Crowds from 3 States Opening of Ranger Hotel’ and ‘Lusk 1933 Junior/Senior Banquet Held in Basement of Kilmer Creamery’, and an article with news from 100 years ago. In addition to the booths in the exhibit hall, there were sewing, garden, cake decorating, and photography items. Parked outside was Clayton Williams Grand Champion Large Metal Project; a tractor he worked on and painted the good ol’ brown and yellow.

Thursday night brought the Cloverbuds parade and the Junior Livestock Auction. Cloverbuds, a program for kids 5-7, showcased a number of kids who aren’t quit old enough to participate in 4-H but are ambitious and ready to learn the basics. They paraded with their animals before the crowd just prior to the Junior Livestock Sale where Tamara Jensen conducted interviews with each. Following the Cloverbuds Parade, the Junior Livestock Sale saw many project animals for the year before the crowd. Some animals will still make a show at state fair. Bill McCleery made the highest single-purchase for the evening, purchasing a lamb for $37.00 a pound after a good-fun Grandpa vs. Grandpa bidding war. Aiden Applegarth celebrated his 14th birthday and time was taken from the auction during his showing to sing him happy birthday. Sales Committee Award recipients were also announced and included Lexie Dockery, Garrett Wurdeman, and Reagyn Molzahn. The $350.00 scholarship is meant to assist with college or working expenses.  And finally, Corky Foscher decided to break away from pigs and purchased the only ducks offered in the sale. He had a change of heart and told them to re-sale the ducks. In the end, the ducks went home with Anne Whitehead for her pond and brought a total of $1750.00 between the two buyers. 

The parade was Friday night and winners included:

4-H Youth Float

1st Place: Up and Coming 4-H Club

2nd Place: Cheyenne River 4-H Club

3rd Place: Cloverleaf –H Club

Commercial Float

1st: Niobrara Community Hospital 

2nd: Jordan Auto

Non-Profit Float

1st: Rawhide FFA

Parade Chairman’s Choice: Lusk EMS

It was another great year for the fair and a great turn out to continue to support the youth and exhibit competitors that work so hard throughout the year. 

Clayton Williams’ tractor took home the Grand Champion ribbon in the Large Metal Project.