BY ANDY  TAYLOR
Montgomery County Chronicle

COFFEYVILLE — When the gates open at the Coffeyville Inter-State Fair and Rodeo on Saturday, spectators will be dazzled by big-time improvements in the spacious rodeo arena.

The south end of the rodeo arena not only sports new seating for Chute Heaven — the prime seats above the rodeo chutes — but also new bucking chutes from which rip-roarin’ bronc riders and gutsy bull riders emerge for an eight-second thrill ride.

“We’re getting known for being among the largest rodeos in Kansas,” said Chris Johnson, president of the Coffeyville Inter-State Fair and Rodeo. “So, it only makes sense to improve the rodeo arena. We’re just trying to make it better for the spectators and the rodeo participants.”

Gone from the old Chute Heaven will be the wooden floor that often required replacement each year. Whereas folding chairs or lawn chairs would be used for seating in Chute Heaven, the new seating area now has stadium-quality, high-back seats — 200 in all.

The announcer’s booth also has been relocated to accommodate the new chutes and larger seating capacity for Chute Heaven.

Behind the chutes, new corrals have been erected to provide extra space for the steers and bulls that will entertain rodeo spectators during PRCA Rodeo on Aug. 12-15.

This year marks the 101st anniversary of the Coffeyville Inter-State Fair and Rodeo, and the improvements made to the rodeo arena are only one of the many to greet spectators during the week-long event.

Among the other events to be held during the fair . . .

• Music Fest — The 2009 Coffeyville Inter-State Fair and Rodeo will include a Music Fest on Saturday, Aug. 8. On the performance slate will be country music artist Eric Church.  Church is best known for his hits “How‘Bout You,” “Lightning,” “Guys Like Me,” “Two Pink Lines,” and his current hit “Love Your Love The Most.”

Three other country acts will be part of the Inter-State Fair’s Music Fest. They include Eli Young Band, whose latest album is “Jet Black and Jealous,”; The Bart Crow Band, whose 2008 single “Understand” was the fourth most-played single in country music; and Jeremy McComb, whose first single, “Wagon Wheel,” hit the radio airwaves in 2007.

A Coors Light Tent featuring live music by 2 Steps Back, plus a mechanical bull, will enhance the evening’s musical entertainment.

The show begins at 4:30 pm. Tickets are available online at www.FairandRodeo.com.  They are $20 if purchased by Aug. 8.  After Aug. 8, the price goes to $25.

• NASCAR Simulator — Racing fans can experience the thrill of victory lane by taking part in a NASCAR Simulator, which will be located along the midway during the fair.

Spectators can take part in three different simulations: the Pit Crew Tire Change Challenge, the full sized NASCAR Style Racing Simulator, and the 1/10 scale Mini Stock Car Racing.

The NASCAR simulation will be set up on the midway from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 8 and 9, and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., on Aug. 10-14.  On Aug. 15, the final day of the fair, it will be set up from 1 p.m. to 5 pm.  There is a nominal fee to play the Tire Change Challenge and the Mini Stock Car Racing.

• FreestyleMX.Com Tour and Demo Derby — The ever-popular motorcross demonstrations and demolition derby will not disappoint this year’s fair crowd. The FreestyleMx.Com tour will be held at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 10 in the grandstand while the demolition derby is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 11.

• Lots more — The annual fair also have dozens of livestock competitions and other judging events for all ages. See the schedule of events on page 8 of this edition of the Montgomery County Chronicle for a complete fair and rodeo lineup.