Rio Blanco County’s Got Talent

RBC I This year, 4-H coordinator Roxie Leischer decided that the Rio Blanco County Fair should add something offered at fairs across Colorado: a talent show.
“We’ve had a lot of inquiries from both ends of the county asking about more performing arts in our county fair,” Leischer said. “We decided we would try it out and see what would happen.”
The 2012 Rio Blanco County’s Got Talent Show is open to solo and group acts of all ages. It will take place in the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds lawn area on Aug. 3 around 8 p.m., after the 4-H steer show.
“It’s a way to showcase the talent in our county and get people interested in things like this again,” Leischer said. “It also really brings the communities together.”
Performers currently signed up include instrumentalists, voice acts and dance acts, though Leischer says that “anything you can consider a talent” is fair game, from comedy to magic shows to gymnastics. Acts should last no longer than four minutes. Solo performers pay a $5 entry fee, while group fees are $10. The money will help pay for Rio Blanco County Fair ribbons, which will go to all participants.
The talent show has three age divisions for 4-H members: juniors (8-10), intermediates (11-13), and a senior division (14 and up). An open child division for participants not in the 4-H program, as well as an open adult division for performers 18 years or older, will also be offered.
Leischer said that 4-H members have the opportunity to perform their talent at the Colorado State Fair but will need to participate in this show to do so.
The event also offers $100 grand champion and $50 reserve grand champion prizes to the top two performers of the evening.
“Thanks goes to Ducey’s Electric for donating the cash prizes,” Leischer said. “I’m also grateful to Kim Kummer, a really outstanding member of the community who’s helped organize the stage and the sound. She’s helped wherever she’s needed.”
Individuals can sign up for the event until the end of July. Those interested can contact Leischer at 878-9495 for more rules and to get signed up.
Other non-livestock events at the fair include the car show, now in its second year; a Capitol tree Christmas ornament class; a healthy recipes baked goods class; and a Dog Star competition. For more information about these and other fair events, pick up a fair schedule at the CSU Extension Offices in Rangely or Meeker or go to www.co.rio-blanco.co.us, click on the “Extension office” link and go to “4-H.”