The Fair and Rodeo grounds in Gilbert Plains will be a beehive of activity this week as Gilbert Plains/Grandview Agricultural Society volunteers prepare for their annual Fair and Rodeo, July 14 to 16.
“We’re going to be at the grounds starting to set everything up and any evening next week, if there’s any volunteers that want to come out, there will be stuff going on every evening,” society president Kevin Boese said. “Setting up tents and getting things cleaned up and ready to roll.”
Boese said new this year there is three full days of chuck wagon racing with races getting under way Friday evening and continuing Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
“When the chuck wagons association goes around, they like to set up and be there for three days and there’s lots of places that they don’t do that. So we just wanted to give it a try this year and I think it should be a good success,” Boese said adding the races add another element to the first day of the exhibition.
“We have the parade Friday afternoon and Friday evening there was never really much going on. Everybody was in town already anyways for the parade, so we figured why not have chuck wagons on Friday evening and that gives something else to do.”
On top of the parade at 3 p.m. and chuck wagon and chariot racing at 7 p.m. Friday attractions feature a light horse show beginning at 11 a.m., a petting zoo from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and a beer gardens featuring an open mic opportunity at 4 p.m., a DJ beginning at 9 p.m. and karaoke.
On Saturday things get underway with a pancake breakfast at the Lions Club booth at 7 a.m. followed by slo-pitch and the light horse show at 9 a.m.
A trade and craft show kicks off at 10 a.m. as does a show and shine car show.
“Last year there wasn’t a lot of cars, however, we’ve had lots of interest this year, so we’re hoping for a lot bigger show this year,” Boese said. “We thought bringing that in would maybe bring a little different crowd than the agricultural stuff.”
Kids activities such as the petting zoo, face painting and the Kinds Zone run all day , as does the Kids Sand Pile under the Fusion Credit Union Tent where youngsters can bring a shovel and dig for buried treasure. A kids tractor pull takes place on the tennis court at 12:30 p.m.
At 3 p.m. those in attendance will be treated to something completely new when the Truco Trick Riders perform some amazing feats on horseback, Boese said, adding the group will perform again at halftime of the rodeo along with the popular Wild Pony Races.
“We had a few people commenting that there just wasn’t much going on at a half times, so that’s why we’re bringing in a little bit of entertainment for the halftime show,” he said. “I can’t remember anything like that ever being (at the rodeo) since I’ve been involved. That should be very entertaining. They should put on a really good show.”
Chuck wagons and chariots get back in action at 3:30 p.m. with a special Redneck Farmer Challenge scheduled for halftime. The competition will see teams of three people attempt to complete a series of farm chore related tasks in a timed event.
“We’re hoping to get four teams. We don’t have any time teams signed up yet, but we haven’t actually done a whole lot of advertising,” Boese said. “It can be anybody, it doesn’t matter who or what age. There’ll be some laughs involved in that, that’s what that one’s all about.”
Rodeo action gets underway at 7 p.m. and the day wraps up with a Party in the Dirt featuring After Dark Xtreme.
Things get going again early Sunday with rodeo slack taking place from 8 a.m. to noon, if needed.
Slo pitch, the light horse show, petting zoo, face painting, Kids Zone and Legion bingo are all back operation and a church service and free pancake breakfast are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Donations are welcome.
Chuck wagons and chariots get underway at 1 p.m., followed by a gymkhana at 2 p.m. and the rodeo at 4 p.m.
It is a full weekend that would not be possible without the hard work of volunteers and the support of sponsors and the community at large.
“It costs a lot of money and a lot of man hours to put these things on. Way more than the average person ever knows and way more than I ever knew before I started helping with this,” Boese said, adding it is all worth it when you experience the final product.
“I think it’s going to be a great show there’s going to be tons of stuff. There’s a little bit of something for everybody. If you can’t find something to do there, you might as well just stay home.”
