Westfair has a reputation of appealing to everyone in the family.
For the action-oriented fans, there are demolition derbies, car races, tractor pulls, adrenaline-pumping amusement rides and artwork created al fresco with a chain saw.
For the arts-oriented fans there are concerts, comedy shows, art exhibits and scenic strolls through the hilltop fairgrounds.
If you're interested in agriculture, you can check out the livestock shows and youth 4-H projects in science, engineering, food and nutrition and more.
The fair is the West Pottawattamie County Fair. It began Tuesday and runs through Sunday at the fairgrounds nestled on a lush, green hilltop on the east side of Council Bluffs.
The Chad Lee Band will headline an all-day concert on Saturday at the Westfair Amphitheater. Gates open at 2 p.m. and the music starts at 3 p.m.
The band line-up features Kelsey Doll; March Mahlock and Collective Twang; Haylee Grosvenor; Southpaw Bluegrass Band; Mace Hathaway; and McKenzie River. The Chad Lee Band is scheduled for 9:15 p.m.
Lee is a singer-songwriter and plays the guitar and other instruments. He wrote the song "Git-R-Done," performed by Montgomery Gentry, as the theme song for Larry the Cable Guy's film "Health Inspector."
As an instrumentalist, Lee has shared the stage with Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum, Gary Allen, Kenny Rogers and Randy Travis.
He is based in Nashville and in Omaha. His play list includes his original songs and familiar cover tunes.
New at WestFair this year are two cooking competitions: a barbecue contest sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society and a cook-out competition for youth ages 13 to 18.
The barbecue contest, "We Got Smoked," is for ribs, chicken, beef brisket and pork shoulder. The six judges for the contest are certified by the Kansas City Barbeque Society. The contest is not about samples for the public but bragging rights for the competitors, according to Ann Vorthmann, a WestFair board member. Teams may choose to offer samples, if they wish, after the judging.
The cook-out contest for youth is sponsored by Iowa Farm Bureau. The entry fee is $20 and contest categories range from beef and pork to turkey venison.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1052, jane.palmer@owh.com
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