There's good and bad news about this year's Box Butte County Fair midway events.

The good news: Just about everything will be free.

The bad news: The Extreme Ink Carnival has cancelled its trip to Hemingford, which was scheduled to provide hard rides (Ferris Wheel, Roller Coaster, ect.) August 11-14.

The carnival company has offered the explanation that it is experiencing financial problems as its reason for canceling this year's appearance at the Box Butte County Fair.

Fair manager Rachelle Poyzer says she is extremely disappointed the issue has arisen, and that once she was informed by Extreme Ink management that they were not coming, she contacted over a dozen carnival companies to see if they could find a fit for the Hemingford schedule, but with such late notice, she had little luck.

What Poyzer and the fair board has been able to organize is Extreme Ink agreeing to bring eight large inflatable toys, and two other companies bringing additional amusement features, such as a large trampoline.

The fair board will be offering the midway features free. People who had already purchased carnival ride tickets from the fair office or the Alliance Chamber of Commerce will be offered full refunds, but the refunds must be made at the fair office in Hemingford through Sunday, August 14.

However, since the ride coupons were $15, they may be exchanged for a ticket to the "Raise the Roof" fundraiser, which also carries a $15 value. It includes a prime rib sandwich plate and a raffle ticket for a Honda 4-wheeler and other prizes. Proceeds from that event will be earmarked for a new livestock barn.

The "Raise the Roof" fundraiser will be held Wednesday, August 10, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the tent near the grandstand.

For more information on the carnival ticket issue, contact the fair office in Hemingford at 487-5223.