SIDNEY -- The Cheyenne County Fair Board met Monday night. The agenda included updates on the beer garden, sponsorships and event tickets.

New this year is the ticket system and the beer garden. The Fair Board also brought back a carnival with a daily unlimited ride ticket.

Event tickets for the 2023 Cheyenne County Fair will be more available online than in previous years. The Fair Board is contracting with Etix, a company that provides a method of online ticket purchases, and accountability of how many tickets are sold.

Heather Shaw discussed how using Etix will improve efficiency for the Board and for the consumer. Tickets can be purchased online, by the family budget instead of only when the ticket window is open. 

"We are going to start offering online ticket sales. Online ticket sales are 70 to 80 percent of sales," she said.

The board had previously approved changing the beer garden to licensing by the Fair Board, with volunteers from local organizations. The Fair Board would thank non-profit organizations volunteering to help with the beer garden.

Discussion Monday included how to staff the beer garden and what method to compensate volunteers: tips only, a flat fee or a base and tips up to a maximum amount. 

Sponsorships were also discussed. Board member Ryan Filsinger said the sponsorship packages can be seen online. The website can be found at cheyennecountyfair.com

"That should be going live about April 1 is what we're shooting for," Filsinger said.

The board also agreed to move family fun night to Monday.