Cheyenne County Fair Board explains funding annual event

Photo: Country music artist Hunter Hayes performs during the 2025 Cheyenne County Fair in Sidney.

SIDNEY, Neb. — The Cheyenne County Fair Board is offering the community a closer look at how the annual fair and rodeo is funded.

In a public letter, fair board members outlined how the budget is developed each year and where funding comes from to support the weeklong summer event.

According to the board, the fair’s budget process begins each August as part of the county’s fiscal year, which runs from July 1 through June 30. Rather than starting with a set amount of cash on hand, the fair relies on projected revenue and historical data to plan expenses and programming for the upcoming year.

Fair officials said the budget is supported by three primary funding sources: county tax support, sponsorships from local businesses and organizations, and revenue generated during the fair itself.

About $60,000 of the fair’s annual budget comes from the county mill levy, which the board described as the only fixed portion of the funding. The remaining revenue must be generated through sponsorships and fair-related income such as ticket sales, beer garden sales, vendor fees and other on-site events.

The board used a simplified $200,000 budget example to illustrate how the system works. In that scenario, $60,000 comes from taxpayer support, while the remaining $140,000 must be generated through sponsorships and fair-related revenue based on projections from previous years.

Fair officials compared that amount to an operational advance that allows organizers to plan events, book entertainment and coordinate operations before the fair takes place.

Once the fair generates enough revenue to cover operational costs, additional income can be used to expand programming, improve facilities, book larger entertainment acts and invest in long-term improvements to the fairgrounds.

Board members stressed community participation is critical to the fair’s success.