BEATRICE – The annual Ag Appreciation Barbecue at the Gage County Fairgrounds was a popular meal option for many, Tuesday night.
About 24-hundred to 25-hundred tickets were distributed this year for the kick-off event to the Gage County Fair and Expo, which has its opening day, Wednesday.


"Last year was down a little bit because it was our first year back after Covid. Last year, we ran about 22-hundred, so its back up again."


Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Angie Bruna says the chamber’s Ag Business Committee organizes the event each year as one of three major projects.


"They do this Ag Appreciation barbeque and then we also have our Ag Expo in the wintertime, where we bring in a speaker. Then, we also do something for Ag Week in March.....so it keeps them busy."


A line was already in place just before serving began at the main livestock barn. From 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., people could have a seat for supper, or opt for take-out.
"We have a lot of different member businesses who are volunteering, whether it's through some of our financial institutions or real estate...we just have a whole bunch of people who support ag in our community."


The Gage County Fair runs Wednesday through Sunday, with livestock shows, a midway and evening entertainment events. Tuesday was the judging of Four-H entries that will be on display, throughout the fair.