Keith County Fair & Rodeo

From the Keith County Ag Society: “It has been announced that the Governor would change the COVID DHM for our area from Phase 3 to Phase 4 on August 1st. Due to this impending change in status, the Keith County Agricultural Society met in special session tonight to discuss how the reclassification of our health district to phase 4 would effect our fair plans. As many of you know, the board decided Monday to cancel several events. Tonight that decision was revisited, and the board voted to reinstate the Fair Barbeque, Mud Volleyball and the Saturday night concert. Regrettably, in spite of the change in our official COVID status, we felt that the expected size of the crowd for the Combine Derby would make adequate social distancing impossible, and that in the interest of the health of our county’s residents, we could not in good conscience hold that event. In the past 2 weeks there have been at least 8 new COVID cases in Keith County, 9 in Perkins and 19 in Lincoln. The change in the district’s official status does not change the fact that we may be at risk for a wider outbreak. In evaluating the other events, we discussed what could be done to hold them with the least possible risk, and have established ways to achieve that. To be successful in making these, and the other fair events as safe as possible, we will also rely on the public to practice social distancing, hand sanitation, and when distancing is impossible, consider the wearing of masks.
All 4-H events will be held with precautions in place. The BBQ will be held on Wednesday, the Ranch Rodeo will be held on Thursday, Carriage driving clinic, Livestock Sale, Horseshoe pitching, the Llama and Alpaca show and Mud Volleyball on Saturday, Cowboy Church, Women’s Ranch Rodeo, Steer Roping, Horseshoe pitching and Carriage Driving Show on Sunday. The Ogallala Round-up Rodeo will be held on August 1st and 2nd. Food vendors will be on site August 1st and 2nd, August 6th-9th.
Our goal is to have the safest fair possible, while holding as many events as we feel can be made adequately safe. We appreciate your understanding and support.”