BAYARD – While driving down Main Street in Bayard, something different catches your eye: a vintage tractor in front of a church. You investigate further and find that you have walked into the 13th Annual Community Bible Church County Fair.
The event was held on Aug. 28-29. Pastor Bradley Kihlthau said, “We try to make it look like the old fair back in the sixties and seventies.” Several area farmers brought in their tractors to help decorate and display.
On Saturday, fair entries were brought in, divided into categories, and placed in their respective areas in the church’s Fellowship Hall. Entries included more traditional items like baked goods, crocheting, and sewing. Welding, painting, and photography were among the items brought in for entry. On Saturday night, the entries were judge and awarded their ribbons.
Sunday morning began with an outdoor worship service and a luncheon. After lunch, the Rubber Neck Races were held. The goal was to get the shortest time in a three-stage relay race. “It’s just a fun relay game,” Kihlthau said.

The race begins with a down and back tricycle race. The racer then gets off the tricycle and has to start four irrigation tubes. After all four tubes are started, the bandana baton is handed off to the next member of the team for the second leg.
The second leg begins with the ladder toss. The racer must toss two (beanbags) and get them to stay on the ladder. Then they must run to a tractor, load two hay bales, drive the tractor through several cones, and unload the bales onto a palette. The baton gets passed on to the third member of the team here.
The third leg begins with a jog up a wet and soapy slip-n-slide with a cup full of water to an empty water pitcher. The pitcher was to be filled before the racer could move on. Once the green line on the pitcher had been reached, the racer took the pitcher and put it into a waiting wheelbarrow and pushed the wheelbarrow to the finish line.
Throughout the fair, attendees could bid on entered fair items with all of the proceeds going to a mission that the church supports. “We’re a missions-oriented church and I always try to encourage the church to give more and more to missions. This is a fun way to do it,” said Kihlthau.

This year’s funds went to KCMI in Scottsbluff, however, missions’ funds find themselves all over the world. Over $2,000 was raised from the event.
Kihlthau is looking forward to next year. “It’s just fun,” Kihlthau said. “The people really love it.”