The 2020 Phillips County Fair kicks off next week and this year's honored couple is excited and humbled to be at center of the "Barn in the USA" themed annual event. Gail and Pat Wiebers are no strangers to Phillips County activities, making it only fitting for them to hold the title of Grand Marshals.

Gail grew up south of Fleming in the New Haven community where he was especially active with cattle in 4-H. In a family of 12 children, Gail and his siblings showed cattle, dairy cattle and breeding ewes at the Logan County Fair. While growing up, Gail's parents formed the Rock Haven 4-H Club and served as leaders for close to 20 years.

While a junior in high school, Gail showed his bull Onward Mischief 51 at the Logan County Fair where he earned the Grand Champion title. He went on to take Onward Mischief 51 to the Colorado State Fair and the National Western Stock Show, earning Grand Champion titles at those events as well.

Gail said his dad kept that bull until he retired and later sold it at an auction. He remembers the bull got his name from his bloodline and Gail's dad added the number 51 to the end of the name.

The same year, Gail also won Grand Champion Breeding Ewe, although he doesn't recall what the lamb's name was.

Gail went on to graduate from Fleming High School in 1963. While at FHS he was an active member in the FFA Chapter and played basketball and football and participated in track. Following graduation he went onto join the rodeo circuit riding bulls, making it to the finals twice, winning in both finals' outings.

When his rodeo tour was finished, Gail returned to the Haxtun area and began driving truck for Dean Casselman. He and his wife at the time, Shirley, had a son, Justin, and moved to Yuma and at that time, Gail went to work for Western Dairyman hauling milk to Chappell, Neb. and Fort Morgan. He held that job for close to 18 years.

In 1999, medical issues arose and the Weibers landed in Holyoke where Gail spent a few years working in maintenance at Holyoke Schools. Several years later, he went to work for Phillips County as a maintenance worker.

Gail spent nine years working for the County, but he also spent many, many hours volunteering on several committees for Phillips County. He played an active role on the committees for the new event center as well as the new Bank of Colorado Pavilion. He also maintained the arena at the fair grounds for 18 years.

Gail was on the Phillips County Fair Board for nine years and spent one year as the Horse Superintendent.

While living in Yuma, Gail met Pat, who taught his son Justin in high school. Pat remembers serving on a fundraising committee for the local band in which students were performing community service acts to help raise funds for a trip to Disneyland.

"He called me and said he had two questions," she said. "First he asked if the kids could wash his windows and the second he asked if I could go to supper with him."

Pat laughs that she must have said yes to both because the two later married and made their home just east of Holyoke, where Gail is now retired and keeps up with the homestead. Pat teaches middle school literacy in Haxtun.

Pat grew up in Bridgeport, Neb. and went to college in Chadron, Neb. where she earned her bachelor's degree in music education. She went on to earn her master's in curriculum in 2006.

Pat first taught music in Ovid for two years before returning to Nebraska. Later, she made the move to Yuma, where she would end up meeting her husband Gail. Pat taught for 15 years in Yuma and later spent 11 years in the classroom in Holyoke.

The long-time teacher retired but after nine years, learned she just couldn't stay away from the classroom. She substitute taught for a number of years before accepting a position with Haxtun Schools last year. This year, she is hoping to return to some normalcy in the classroom following a whirlwind end to the 2019-20 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I'm not ready for my rocking chair yet," Pat said about continuing to teach. "I am really thankful to still have a job and I'm really hoping to get back to in-person learning."

In addition to teaching, Pat serves as the President of the Holyoke Board of Education, where she has served as a member for the past seven years. She will be term-limited out in the coming year.

While growing up, Pat was active in both 4-H and Girl Scouts, where she learned to sew, something she still enjoys today. When she has time, Pat volunteers with the local Sew Caring group in addition to her work with local plays where she serves as both music director and costume director. Pat has also spent time serving the Phillips County Arts Council and assists with the Music Parents group in Holyoke.

The Weibers have three children and six grandchildren. Their son, Justin, is still active in 4-H in his hometown of Manhattan, Kan. The couple's two daughters both live in Scottsbluff, Neb. Daughter Hope is a registered nurse at Regional West Medical Center. Faith is the Executive Director at Panhandle Partnership, also in Scottsbluff. The Weibers' six grandchildren include Demi, Morgan, Anika, Alena, Merik and Amarie.

Several members of the Weibers family will be on hand when the Grand Marshals lead the Phillips County Fair Parade on Saturday, July 26. The two will ride in a vehicle provided by Buck Widgery.

While Pat always enjoys meeting up with old friends and making new connections at the fair, Gail enjoys the Ranch Rodeo and Bulls Gone Wild events.

The 2020 Phillips County Fair kicks off on Tuesday, July 21 and runs through Sunday, July 26 at the Phillips County Fairgrounds in Holyoke.