By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
For the first time since 2019, the Barton County Fair will
have a carnival this summer. The Fair Association announced they have signed a
contract with WEEE Entertainment to provide a carnival. The fair will run July
5-9, with the carnival performing three nights, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
With a limited number of carnivals out there following the COVID-19 pandemic,
Barton County Fair Board President Charles Atkinson said a lot of work went
into securing a carnival vendor.
"It always takes a lot of people and working with other communities," said Atkinson. "It took a lot of phone calls and getting on the calendar. There's a lot that has to take place because many of these carnivals are scheduling two years out. With the limited number available, it's the luck of the draw, and everything fell in place."
WEEE Entertainment had previously contracted with the Hoisington Chamber of
Commerce in providing a carnival for Hoisington’s Annual Labor Day Celebration.
Scheduling conflicts will keep WEEE Entertainment from coming to Hoisington this
September, but Barton County residents will still be able to enjoy the carnival
excitement at the fair.
"I know they're bringing in 17 or 18 rides, which is the max that they have and a little bit more than we have seen over the years," said Atkinson. "We're mixing things up and will have a completely different look this year at the fair. As soon as we get contracts signed, we'll be able to announce our concert lineup as well."
While attending the Kansas Fairs & Festivals Convention in Topeka last weekend, Barton County Fair Association board members were able to meet with Chris Williams, owner of WEEE Entertainment, and work out the final details.