By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Cotton candy. 4-H exhibits. Carnival. Livestock. Funnel cakes. Fair season has arrived but it will come with a different approach this year in Barton County. Due to the coronavirus, the Barton County Fair Board wanted to provide a safe environment for all attendees and staff and chose to go with a mostly virtual event July 8 – 12.
Fair President Charles Atkinson noted the board was
looking at three options to hosting this year’s fair.
"It was not a quick thought," said Atkinson. "There was a lot of heartache and discussion on what we should do. We had three plans for a full-blown fair, all virtual and a hybrid of the two. We decided on the hybrid fair to still allow children to show their animals."
A revamped website at bartoncountyfair.com will allow for open class submissions,
virtual car show, photo and social media contests, virtual talent show and even
a substitute for fair food.
"We did not want to miss out completely on fair food, so we did some research and found out there are restaurants throughout Barton County that have similar fair foods," said Atkinson. "We are doing a fair food bingo with the rules on the website."
During the week of the fair, the public will be allowed to vote on the online
contests.
Atkinson mentioned it was very important to continue the fair in some form or fashion to let people know the board is still committed to having a fair and receive community involvement.
Eagle Radio's Cole Reif spoke with Atkinson as the fair draws nearer. Listen to the entire interview with Atkinson below.