County, Stories

Rio Blanco County Fair kicks into full gear on Friday night

On July 12, Rhett Long of Vernal, Utah, visited the Rangely 4-H Community Pens to teach the 4-H members how to shave a pig, what to expect in showmanship at the Rio Blanco County Fair and offer advice for feeding 4-H swine. There were more than 30 4-H members and parents, some from as far as Grand Junction, present to listen to Long. Bonnie Long, who organized the event, said, “Rhett did a great job and we had a great turnout from Rangely and Grand Junction 4-H members and parents. Thank you to Encana for adding monetary support for activities such as this.” In 2015, a new 4-H club called Elite 8 will be exploring livestock, leadership and will be putting together another clinic to inform 4-H members, she said. Every 4-H member at the event received a prize. The Rio Blanco County Fair officially begins Friday and runs through Aug. 2.
On July 12, Rhett Long of Vernal, Utah, visited the Rangely 4-H Community Pens to teach the 4-H members how to shave a pig, what to expect in showmanship at the Rio Blanco County Fair and offer advice for feeding 4-H swine. There were more than 30 4-H members and parents, some from as far as Grand Junction, present to listen to Long. Bonnie Long, who organized the event, said, “Rhett did a great job and we had a great turnout from Rangely and Grand Junction 4-H members and parents. Thank you to Encana for adding monetary support for activities such as this.” In 2015, a new 4-H club called Elite 8 will be exploring livestock, leadership and will be putting together another clinic to inform 4-H members, she said. Every 4-H member at the event received a prize. The Rio Blanco County Fair officially begins Friday and runs through Aug. 2.
RBC I All the fun and work involved in the annual Rio Blanco County Fair officially begins Friday with the equestrian events and runs through Aug. 2 at the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds in Meeker.

The theme of the 2014 Rio Blanco County Fair will be “Wheels and Squeals,” and there should be enough food, fun, games, animals and events to interest just about everyone.
Fair events start Friday with three classes of the All-Around Horse Show Competition at 4 p.m. and the start of the team roping at 6:30 p.m., and will conclude on Saturday, Aug. 2 with the annual Junior Livestock Sale.
Many different events throughout the week give the community a chance to participate in the fair and to see some of the great work the local 4-H and FFA members have been working on.
Fair Event Highlights
■ Sheep Lead: Friday, Aug. 1 at 3 p.m. The Sheep Lead will feature either a ram or ewe that is conditioned, fitted and trained to show at halter, which will be led by a contestant wearing an outfit made out of at least 60 percent wool. This fun contest gives the opportunity to showcase the entrants’ purchased or made wool outfit.
■ Rio Blanco County’s Got Talent: Friday, Aug: 1, following the Beef Show. This is a chance to showcase your talents on the stage during the fair.
■ Little Buckaroo Rodeo: Saturday, Aug. 2, following Round Robin competition: Youth ages 3-12 can try their luck at mutton bustin’, calf riding, pole bending, barrel races,and goat tying (or the ribbon pull for the younger buckaroos).
■ Pet Rock Contest: Saturday, Aug. 2 at 10 a.m.: The Pet Rock Contest is open to any and all rock owners who are willing to publicly claim and name their pet rocks and compete in a costume and rolling contest.
■ Silent Auction: Bidding open until 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2: Bring anything and exhibit it at the fair and bring home a little hard-earned cash when you enter it in the silent auction.
These events, along with many more, are great opportunities to show off your projects or animals and to participate in the community.
Participants should be readying their fair entries, be it canned goods, sewing and needlework projects, photography, art or any other Open Class fair exhibits. Open Class exhibits will be accepted at the fairgrounds on Thursday, July 31 from 7 to 9 a.m. with the photography exhibits being accepted on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m.
The Rio Blanco County Fair Board encourages everyone to enter exhibits that showcase their talents.
“This county is full of talented people and it is wonderful to see those talents exhibited,” CSU Extension agent Bill Ekstrom said.
Entrants should make certain to pick up a Fair Book and see all the classes that are still available, including cream pies, cheesecakes, custard pies, milks and cheeses.
Boxes of baked goods and grand champion baked goods will be auctioned off on Aug. 2 at 5:30 p.m., just prior to the to the Junior Livestock Sale. Proceeds from the baked goods auction will go to the RBC Extension Office’s 4-H Scholarship Fund.
Open Livestock classes are a great way to show off your prized hens and roosters, rabbits, goats, wool fleece, dairy and beef cattle, sheep, and even your pig.
Bring your dog to the fair on Monday at 1 p.m. for the dog star competition.
There are plenty of fun contests for the whole family to participate in, such as: “Rio Blanco County’s Got Talent,” the Pet Rock Contest, the Rabbit Chase, the Little Buckaroo Rodeo, Sheep Lead and more.
RBC 2014 Fair Entry Information:
■ Indoor Open Class Exhibits accepted Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m.
■ Little Buckaroo Rodeo. Entries will be taken in the indoor arena during the Round Robin on Aug. 2
For more information, call the Meeker Extension Office at 878-9490 or the Rangely Extension Office at 878-9495.
There are also a number of special events fair judging and regular events on Friday and Saturday.
On Friday at 3 p.m. is registration for the Rio Blanco Talent Show, which will begin at 4 p.m., and at 5 p.m. is the Stockgrowers’ annual barbecue.
On Saturday at 11 a.m. is the Pet Rock Contest in the front parking lot followed by the Rabbit Chase at 11:30 a.m. in the indoor arena. At noon is the Lil’ Buckaroo Rodeo, and from 3:30 to 5:15 p.m. will be the Meeker Lions Club Barbecue under the arena grandstands. At 5:30 p.m. is the bake sale in the 4-H barn sale area, at 6 p.m. the indoor Silent Auction closes; and at 6 p.m. is the premier event of the fair, the 4-H/FFA Junior Livestock Sale.

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  • Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
  • Bailey is our first Marketing Mixology partner and we are excited to help her promote this fun event along with the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce!

Bailey and Real Estate West will host the second annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25th-29th. Go follow her page so you don't miss any clues!
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Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! 

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  • More freudenfreude, less schadenfreude… Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
  • 🍀 Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Herald Times! 🍀 According to the Census Bureau, over 31 million people - or 9.5%! - in America claim Irish ancestry! Everyone have a safe and fun Patty's Day celebrating your Irishness, real or honorary!
  • The Cowboys played in their first golf tournament in the spring at Chipeta, “it was a bit of a cloudy and windy day but it was awesome to see some grass and a golf course,” commented head coach Amanda Back. Vivian Brown, pictured on the left, broke 100 and shot a 94 and Jayda May second from right shot a 99. From the far right, excluding those that have been mentioned, Averee Woodward, Joelle Soler, Mia Pinzon, Aurora Stalling, and Kailynn Watson all played scramble. This was Pinzon’s, Stalling’s and Watson’s first tournament as Meeker High School girl golfers. “It’s going to be a great season,” ended Back.
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“For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.”
Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
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Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
9 hours ago
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Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
10 hours ago
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Bailey is our first Marketing Mixology partner and we are excited to help her promote this fun event along with the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce!

Bailey and Real Estate West will host the second annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25th-29th. Go follow her page so you don't miss any clues!
@bailey_waldref_rew 

💚💚💚

Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! 

#locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
Bailey is our first Marketing Mixology partner and we are excited to help her promote this fun event along with the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce! Bailey and Real Estate West will host the second annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25th-29th. Go follow her page so you don't miss any clues! @bailey_waldref_rew 💚💚💚 Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! #locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
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1 day ago
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🍀 Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Herald Times! 🍀 According to the Census Bureau, over 31 million people - or 9.5%! - in America claim Irish ancestry! Everyone have a safe and fun Patty's Day celebrating your Irishness, real or honorary!
🍀 Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Herald Times! 🍀 According to the Census Bureau, over 31 million people - or 9.5%! - in America claim Irish ancestry! Everyone have a safe and fun Patty's Day celebrating your Irishness, real or honorary!
2 days ago
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The Cowboys played in their first golf tournament in the spring at Chipeta, “it was a bit of a cloudy and windy day but it was awesome to see some grass and a golf course,” commented head coach Amanda Back. Vivian Brown, pictured on the left, broke 100 and shot a 94 and Jayda May second from right shot a 99. From the far right, excluding those that have been mentioned, Averee Woodward, Joelle Soler, Mia Pinzon, Aurora Stalling, and Kailynn Watson all played scramble. This was Pinzon’s, Stalling’s and Watson’s first tournament as Meeker High School girl golfers. “It’s going to be a great season,” ended Back.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Mountain Sage Therapeutics held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 640 Main St. in Meeker. Owners Teresa Wilde and Justin Noller offer movement, energy, and massage therapy for animals and their human companions. They are pictured here with the Chamber of Commerce and local citizens who attended. View their service on their website at www.mountainsagetherapeutics.abmp.com and contact them for an appointment 970-706-8445.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Members of the Rio Blanco Golf Association got a jump on spring this past week as volunteers shoveled and blew the snow off the greens. The winter’s snow and ice layers suffocate the fragile bent grass putting surfaces and getting the snow off allows Mother Nature to start her healing process earlier.
“For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.”
Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
Members of the Rio Blanco Golf Association got a jump on spring this past week as volunteers shoveled and blew the snow off the greens. The winter’s snow and ice layers suffocate the fragile bent grass putting surfaces and getting the snow off allows Mother Nature to start her healing process earlier. “For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.” Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
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The 2024 Colorado State Champions hosted their annual awards banquet Sunday. Head Coach JC Watt and Assistant Coach Carl Padilla commented on this year’s team’s success as a product of work in the room, dedication by wrestlers and coaches, and a champion mentality. Read the story online at ht1885.com.
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