Fair Time!

It's time for Kimball-Banner County residents to get excited about the upcoming fair. In five days, the fairgrounds in Kimball will be a lively hub of activity that includes several 4-H, FFA and rodeo competitions. The highlight of the fair for many will be the performance on Friday, August 8, by former contestant on The Voice, Gwen Sebastian.

This will be the 96th year that the Kimball-Banner County Fair Days has been around, and it's the event to attend. There will be an array of livestock judging, as well as forums in which horsemanship can be displayed. Barrel racing, archery competition and horse showmanship are among some of the excitement for the first two days, August 5th and 6th.

Thursday will kick off with a small animal show and then a dog show. In the afternoon there will be the weigh-in followed by the "Catch a Calf" contest and then the gymkhana at 5:30 p.m. Friday will be a long day of 4-H and FFA competition beginning at 6:30 in the morning. After the long day, everyone can relax with games and activities for the kids and a concert by Gwen Sebastian.

Gwen Sebastian grew up in a small farming town in North Dakota. Both of her parents were farmers as well as musicians.

"I grew up loving small town life and music. I've always had music in my life," Sebastian said.

Sebastian moved to Nashville, to pursue her music and in October 2009 released her first single "Hard Rain."

"I was touring a lot and playing several different shows and promoting my music. I wanted it to get heard and then I had the opportunity to audition for The Voice, and I decided to go with it and I'm really glad I did," Sebastian said.

Blake Shelton was Sebastian's coach on The Voice, and after her time on the show, she ended up touring with Blake Shelton as a back up singer for two years.

"After the voice, Blake asked me to tour with him as a back up singer and so for two years I did that, and I've also been able to tour performing my own music as well," Sebastian said.

Sebastian also expressed how much she learned from both Blake Shelton and his wife Miranda Lambert. Since Sebastian had the opportunity to work with both artists, she has really appreciated their knowledge and help.

"They're both such good people. I feel like Blake is one of the best entertainers out there. He really knows how to include his audience and make them feel like they're a part of the show. Him and his wife, Miranda Lambert, have taught me a lot, and we've become friends. They make you feel like family," Sebastian said.

As for Sebastian, since touring with Shelton she has released a self titled album with a song entitled "Small Town Soul" written by Nicolle Galyon and Hailey Steele, both friends of Sebastian and fellow contestants on the Voice.

"I write a lot of my own songs, but this song that Nicolle and Hailey wrote, it's real about something that I think really exemplifies who I am. Even though I'm traveling all the time and can't always be home, I'm a Midwest girl. I always have that place in my heart for small town midwest. It's home," Sebastian said.

Sebastian said she enjoys playing places like Kimball, because it feels like she's home because most the towns in the Midwest feel like her hometown.

"I really like seeing all the 4-H and rodeo stuff going on. It's stuff I used to do and be around so it's fun for me to see it and be able to perform in these places that remind me of home. I like to say as long as I'm in the Midwest, I'm home," Sebastian said.

Sebastian puts on a high energy show of her own music mixed with covers of lovable songs by artists like Fleetwood Mac and Guns and Roses.

"We hope to put on a show that everyone can enjoy, not just country music fans but all music fans," Sebastian said.

Sebastian recently released a song with Blake Shelton entitled "My Eyes" that hit number one, giving Sebastian her first ever number one song.

Sebastian will be performing at 7:30 p.m. on Friday August 8. Tickets for Adults will be $12, children 6-12 years of age will be $5, and children 5 and under will be free.

Saturday, the Mare and Foal parade will be downtown at 5 p.m. The Rodeo Queen and Princess can be seen at the parade as well as at the rodeo later that same night at 8 p.m. The Family Dance will be 9 p.m. at the 4-H building at the fair grounds.

Sunday, there will be another parade at noon downtown and another rodeo at 2 p.m. At 5 p.m. will be the Parade of Champions followed by a free barbecue. Monday will be the 4-H and FFA livestock Auction at 9 a.m.

Erika Loy, Office Manager at the UNL Extension office, expressed her deep appreciation and love for Fair Days.

"It's something everyone looks forward to. It's fun and very community-oriented. It's great to see everyone's hard work pay off and see the whole community have such a good time," Loy said.

Fair Days begins August 5 and goes through to August 11. It's a family event that not only provides entertainment, but also a pride in one's community.