Transitioning for Grandstand Entertainment - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Transitioning for Grandstand Entertainment

Nodak Speedway racing was back at the North Dakota State Fair for the first time in more than a decade last night at the grandstand...
Obviously, racing and concerts can't take place with the same set-up...and once the final checkered flag had dropped...the task of cleaning up was started.
Perry Olson was there late last night as the process started.

(Perry Olson) "Tuesday is about ready to turn into Wednesday and I can report that it is hot and sticky here...kind of glad I am dressed like this I guess!  Now before the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band can entertain thousands here at the Grandstand, this mess needs to be picked up.  They are doing it right now...basically a well oiled machine here with the Nodak Speedway."

Now don't think this is totally enjoyable once the racing is wrapped up...

(Jordan Huettl) "It is getting old!  We just got done doing it and then we have to do it again...and then again one more time!  We do know what we are doing...getting really good at it I will say that!"

The hard work is certainly worth it for Huettl and his dad Ron who were both part of the crew working feverishly to get ready for concert go-ers who will be standing where the dirt sits less than 20 hours later...

(Ron Huettl) "We have done it a few times in a hurry.  Last fall for the Black Eyed Peas concert...we took it out, had the concert, and raced again right away the next day."

And that speed with which they can work was key Tuesday night and Wednesday morning...with the looming threat of delay waiting in the sky...

(Ron Huettl) "Tonight we are in a bigger hurry because we need to get ahead of the rain.  The dirt movers can't move the dirt if it gets too wet out here."

Once the hardware is removed...Keller Paving gets the dirt out...and the playground of power is returned to a party playground...Nitty Gritty style Wednesday night.

(Ron Huettl) "They will come with scrapers and get the dirt off and get it mostly out.  Then the fair people come in the morning and clean the cement..."

So while some wrap up an evening of play...this crew of seven had skid steers churning...and sweat pouring -- returning the Grandstand to close to concert-ready.  At the Fair, Perry Olson, KX News.

    And everything went off without a hitch transitioning back...Nitty Gritty hits the stage soon here at the Fair.