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.
