Fair board sets budget for musical entertainment to include Saturday concert

WORLAND — The Washakie County Fair is looking at bringing a headliner to showcase the musical entertainment at the 2022 fair, setting an overall budget of $45,000.

The board unanimously approved contracting with Daniel Kosel to handle the musical lineup at the regular meeting Monday night.

Kosel, meeting with the board via telephone said if the board set a budget he could propose a handful of names to the board to consider.

He had provided a list of names ranging from $10,000 up to $30,000 per performance for the main concert. He said most bands will be setting their 2022 schedules by early January and some older bands have cancelled tours in 2022.

The board suggested that Kosel consider some lesser known but still famous talent such as runners up on reality shows like the Voice or American Idol.

The board also looked into one singer but cost for a performance was over $100,000.

Some names of singers and bands that were in the Washakie County Fair Board’s price range included Ben Haggard, Kentucky Headhunters, Exile and Laine Hardy, American Idol season 17 winner.

Kosel said if the board chose to move the main concert from the rodeo arena to stage already in place at the fairgrounds, that would save on cost. The board agreed and will finalize logistics in cordoning off the area since the event will be a paid event to help support the fair and cover expenses.

Chairman Jeff Lapp said he would also talk to a few people about helping sponsor the event.

The board also decreased the number of nights for music from four to three with free concerts on Thursday and Friday nights including some local artists.

In other entertainment news, Sherry Walter said she would get proposals from motocross companies in Casper and Billings for a show featuring motorcycles only. The show would be on the Tuesday night of fair and also be a paid event.

They will have the traditional pig wrestling on Monday night of fair week.

The 2022 fair runs July 25-30.

RODEOS

The board is now accepting bids for a fair rodeo, youth rodeo and a ranch rodeo. Bids are to be submitted by March 1 and can be mailed to the Washakie County Fair Board, ATTN: Rodeo, P.O. Box 451, Worland, WY 82401.

Upon receiving the bid packages the board will decide which rodeos will be on the schedule for the 2022 fair.

Decisions on the bids will be made at the March 14 meeting.

In other news the board approved purchasing five new sheep pens this year, with a plan to purchase about five per year to replace the older pens.