    The Chadron Ag Appreciation Banquet, a winter highlight for more than 3 decades, is moving next year from mid-January to mid-May and from the Assumption Arena to the Dawes County Fairgrounds because of the ongoing threat of COVID-19.
The banquet was cancelled this year because of the pandemic and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Gabby Michna says the event planning committee felt after talking with local health officials that changes would be prudent.
Michna says moving the banquet to a date and location with a more-open area should reduce the COVID risk with the May date also eliminating the threat of winter storms that have forced postponements and reduced attendance in recent years.
Retired county agent-extension educator Don Huls was one of the founders of the Ag Banquet, which he says is a way for the local business community to say thank you to the area farmers and ranchers who do their business in Chadron.
Huls says agriculture drives the economy in Chadron and the business owners then and now want to make sure local producers are recognized for their support of Chadron.
While the new date and location are set – May 20 at the Fairgrounds – Michna says more details will be released once plans have been finalized.
Invitations for the event will go out in April, but Michna says that as always any producer who doesn’t get one simply needs to contact the Chamber office or even just show up at the banquet.