The Archuleta County Fair is already underway and runs through Sunday.
The theme of this year’s celebration is, appropriately, “Fun for the Whole Herd!”
Dedicated fair board members and CSU Extension staff have put in countless hours to direct one of the largest community events of the year.
No other event focuses more on local people and their accomplishments than our county fair. Youngsters and adults display everything from cattle to vegetables in hopes of recognition from their peers.
This year’s fair features Open Mic Night tonight at 7 p.m. Bring yourself or your band to play and compete for a cash prize, or just listen to live music from great local musicians.
Songs of the Fall performs Friday night followed by live boxing action.
Saturday’s 4-H Chuckwagon Dinner is a treasured community gathering followed by the livestock auction and fair dance featuring The High Rollers.
New this year to the fair is the homemade ice cream competition, which includes the opportunity for the public to sample the delicious entries on Sunday.
Other activities in the lineup include the Blindfolded Lawn Mower Race, Junk Yard Jamboree/Tractor Show, Kids’ Rodeo, Ranch Rodeo, Wild Man Phil and his Animals, and much more. A schedule of events can be found in today’s PREVIEW.
The real heart and soul of the fair is the junior livestock show, where youth active in 4-H showcase their months of work caring for and feeding animals. For many young exhibitors, the money they make from the livestock auction helps pay for a college education.
This great slice of Archuleta County life and heritage doesn’t come off successfully without the support of livestock buyers. Auction organizers and 4-H youth are hoping for a repeat of last year’s auction success.
Many of the fair’s attractions — animal shows, live music, exhibits, livestock sale — are covered by a $3 daily fee or $9 for the weekend, and for youth under 12, the cost is $2 per day or $6 for a weekend pass, and the other attractions are reasonably priced.
It’s hard to find family friendly entertainment at a lower cost.
As it is with most of our events, more volunteers are needed to pull off Archuleta County’s annual celebration of community. Over 150 volunteers are needed to put on the fair each year. Some of the volunteer activities include taking tickets at the entrance gates, directing traffic in the parking lot, driving the train that gives free rides to youth of all ages around the fairgrounds and many other fun activities.
Volunteers receive wrist bands for free admission to the fair all weekend and the gratitude of the community. If you have a few hours to help out, please contact Linda Moultin, the fair’s volunteer coordinator, at 946-6714.
The Archuleta County Fair is one celebration that’s all about us.
If you’ve never been to the county fair, you’re in for some pleasant surprises. Start a great summer tradition by taking the whole family to the fairgrounds and taking in a day or more of fun and entertainment. You’ll be glad you did.
Terri Lynn Oldham House
