After dozing through last year’s 145th anniversary year, the Nuckolls County Fairgrounds located on a hilltop south of Nelson are coming alive this week in anticipation of the 146th fair.

While a fair was held last year, the COVID-19 Pandemic made for an unusual fair. Admittance to the fairgrounds was restricted and participants were not able to stay on the grounds. Exhibitors were allowed to bring in their entries for judging but in many cases the exhibits had to be taken home as soon as the judging was over. The general public was not allowed on the fairgrounds.

In the early years of Nuckolls County, special trains brought visitors from through out the county to Nelson for the fair. Trains often stopped on the Burlington line just west of the grounds to either discharge or taken on passengers.

Prefair events were underway earlier this week and the fair activity ramps up on Saturday.

Tuesday the compaion animal and dog show started at 10 a.m. The clothing construction and fashion show judging began at 1:30. The public fashion show and performing arts contest was held at 7 p.m.

Today (Thursday) from 3 to 8 p.m. both the 4-H and open class static exhibits will be checked in.

The static 4-H judging begins at 8 a.m. Open class judging begins at 10 a.m. Friday. Horses will be checked in from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in advance of the horse show which is set for 8 a.m. Saturday.

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, rodeo action will be featured in front of the grandstand. Sunday night Superior Physical Therapy is sponsoring the Kids’ Rodeo, Check in begins at 4:30 with rodeo action starting at 6 p.m. The youngsters always put on an entertaining show.

Other events on Sunday included the ice cream contest and trap shoot,

A professional rodeo with start at 7:30 Monday and Tuesday nghts. The rodeo will feature Whistle Nut and Ole.

There will be inflatables and games for the youngsters, turtle races and pedal tractor pulls.

The chicken barbecue is Sunday night and beef barbecue on Monday night.

For a more detailed schedule of the events, please see the advertisement in this issue of the newspaper.