Relay races canceled at the 2020 PC Fair

The NorthEast Corner Committee, sponsors of the Indian Relay and Chariot races at the Phillips County Fair in Dodson, announced last week that the races will not be held this year due to COVID-19 concerns.

In a letter to Wes KillEagle, who runs the races at the fair with his family, the NorthEast Corner Committee said they are in total support of the races as they promote positive activity, but because of the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Montana, said that they recommend the events be canceled and rescheduled for a safer time.

Phillips County Fair Board member Eric Wilke said other events are still scheduled for this year's fair in Dodson, but with the loss of the races that the fair will likely end on Saturday night this year.

"The fair board is in full support of the NorthEast Corner Committee's decision to cancel the relay races this year. Hopefully, they can come back next year bigger and better," Wilke told the PCN. "This has been a difficult year for everyone, and the board is proceeding with caution as we continue to plan for the Ranch Rodeo, Concert and AMX/Derby events. I would like to remind everyone that open class exhibits will also still be welcome at the fair with guidelines for everyone's safety."

Phillips County Fair Board's Sue Olsen told the PCN that the grandstand passes for this year's fair will now be $40 instead of $50.

For the past three years, the Indian Relay (and last year the chariot races) have drawn huge crowds on the final day of the fair. Though those have been canceled, this year's fair will still host the RCAN Ranch Rodeo Scramble on Thursday night, Kyle Shobe & The walk 'Em Boys in concert on Friday night, and the AMX races and Demolition Derby on Saturday night. All tickets will only be available at the Fair and children age 12 and under get into the grandstand events for free.