THANKS HEROES

In an extraordinary way, the Steele County Free Fair and United Way of Steele County are teaming up to thank frontline heroes of COVID-19.
On Wednesday, Aug. 18, the fair is offering free admission for everyone to the Jason Pritchett Concert. Pritchett is a country music star from America’s Got Talent. Gates open at 6 p.m.
“This concert will remind us of what it means to live united,” said Annette Duncan, president of the United Way.
Added Wayne Steele, vice president of the fair: “The reason we are doing this is simply so Steele County residents can say thank you. Come join us to say thank you.”
Steele expects up to 3,000 people to attend the event. “We are hoping to fill the grandstand,” he said, adding refreshments will be available for sale throughout the night.
While admission is free, there will be an opportunity to support United Way of Steele County and Community Pathways. Buckets will be passed around during the concert for people to give cash donations for the nonprofit organizations. No cash will be taken at the gate, Steele said.
Several prizes will be awarded during the celebration. They include: (1) $300 cash prize, (1) $200 cash prize , (5) $100 cash prizes and (2) lifetime subscriptions to the Steele County Times. People will receive tickets as they enter at the gate for the drawings.
John Connor of KRFO Radio will be the MC of the event.
As part of the celebration, the National Anthem will be sung with Boy Scouts handling the colors and there will be a moment of silence for all people lost during COVID-19 pandemic.
All frontline workers will be requested to stand up and be recognized at the celebration.
“This is a family friendly event,” said Duncan. “We want parents to bring the kids. There is no need to find a babysitter.”
There has never been a free concert to this magnitude offered at the fair, according to Steele. “This is quite a gift,” Duncan said. “This is a big, significant event. It’s not like you’re giving away hotdogs on the side of the road,” she added.
Duncan shared how she feels it’s important to engage the entire community in an event like this. “We need to let them know we are in this together,” she said. “We have been through the worst and will be in recovery together.”
Steele said, “We need to say thank you to everyone who went to work every day to allow us to have some semblance of normalcy.”
Nancy Ness, executive director of Community Pathways, said: “This is more about being able to say thank you. This is the heart of it.”
Added Duncan, “We are one in recovery and rebuilding. This is an unified front.”
Organizers said they prefer cash donations rather than people bringing food items.
 
JASON PRITCHETT CONCERT
-Wednesday, August 18 at 6:30 pm
-Gates open at 6:00 pm
-FREE ADMISSION!
-Special Drawings
-Freewill donations accepted for United Way and Community Pathways organizations