Rio Blanco County Commissioner Shawn Bolton, left, dedicated the indoor arena in the county multi-purpose building at the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds on Saturday evening to the memory of C.W. “Bill” Brennan, while several members of the Brennan family, right, looked on. The building was constructed in 1978. Brennan was a driving force behind development of the fairgrounds in Meeker. He was born in Rifle to Mike and Helen Brennan and was the sixth of eight children. Brennan, along with Commissioners Dale Frisby and Roy Kenney, could see the value and impact an indoor arena and multi-purpose building would have on Rio Blanco County, and they were instrumental in building this new facility to serve many generations of future Rio Blanco County citizens. This building, a true community asset, is widely used and offers many opportunities and economic benefits to county residents. On many occasions, Brennan traveled to Washington D.C., where he testified before Congress, bringing rural issues before federal legislators. He held many positions in banking and farm service organizations, Club 20 and held office and memberships in Rio Blanco Stockgrowers, the Colorado Cattleman’s Association and numerous boards and committees relating to the livestock industry. In the photo, from right to left, are: Mike Brennan; Jim Brennan holding grandson Milo; Kari Brennan holding daughter Hattie; and Rio Blanco County Commissioner Shawn Bolton. Present but not in photograph were Neil Brennan and Kay Bumguardner.
The owner of the champion market swine at the Rio Blanco County Fair this year was Connor Blunt. Blunt sold his swine for $2,400 to the Blue Spruce Inn/Watt’s Ranch Market. The Junior Livestock Auction, the highlight and termination event at the fair, took place Saturday evening at the 4-H Building at the fairgrounds in Meeker.
Macy Collins captured first place with her Champion Market Goat, which was purchased for $900 by Watts Ranch Market in Meeker.
It doesn’t get any better than the golden Best of Show ribbon at the Rio Blanco County Fair unless you know this award-winning cake, made and decorated by Jessy Pelloni. She had to win first place, then champion, to be eligible to win the Best of Show in cake decorating, which Pelloni did.
A wide variety of subjects drew these Rio Blanco County painters to submit their award-winning paintings to the county fair and the landscaping class. There were painting classes for amateurs and professionals and a wide variety of subject categories.
Enjoying the ol’ one-two punch are the work of second place finisher, Sparky Pappas, left, and her sheep photo and the work of Connie Kelley, who captured the shot of the pup for first place and reserve champion ribbons at the Rio Blanco County Fair.
Kacie Lapp walked off with Champion Market Sheep honors at the 4-H/FFA Junior Livestock on Saturday in the 4-H Barn at the county fairgrounds. Lapp’s sheep weighed 133 pounds and brought in the second highest amount of all champions and reserve champions. Lapp’s lamb was bought for $3,500, which was paid by Conquest Well Service.
Just about to blow up with pride, Connor Blunt is mighty proud of his 4-H Grand Champion ribbon in Junior Swine Showmanship, but he might be just a hair happier than normal because he beat a familiar face, his brother Cade, who captured the second place and Reserve Champion ribbons.
Until you get close to this fair entry, which boasts a first place ribbon as well as a championship ribbon, it is difficult to tell what medium this print of the elk is composed of. It took to getting just a foot or two away before realizing that this detailed art is counted cross stitch done in fine detail by Sharon Tafoya.
There were a high number of quality goats at the Rio Blanco County Fair last week in Meeker, and this goat, belonging to Kadence Wagner, was no exception. Her goat was chosen as reserve champion market goat and the animal was purchased at the 4-H/FFA Junior Livestock Auction on Saturday evening for $800 by Williams Midstream. Veteran auctioneer Bryce Purkey was at work again leading Saturday’s auction at the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds.
Rowdy Rosendahl and his guitar won the Rio Blanco County Fair Talent Show on Friday at the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds, where the top three winners won trophies for their efforts. In second place was singer Alexis Wiley and third place went to Rowdy’s sister, Abigayle Rosenthal, who played the piano.
The wild animal photography entries at the Rio Blanco County Fair in Meeker showed off a wide variety of animals from orangutan to deer, monkey to bear, elk to horses and owls. Not all are indigenous to the Rio Blanco County area. However, the category did catch a good variety of ribbons in various colors.
It’s a real challenge when a full-grown horse is concerned but Kelton Turner shows some fine style while taking part in the barrel race, part of the Li’l Buckaroo Rodeo on Saturday afternoon during the Rio Blanco County Fair held at the fairgrounds in Meeker.
The judge said it was a close contest, but Madi Shults, right, captured Grand Champion honors in the Senior Beef Showmanship class while Macy Collins, left, earned Reserve Champion status in the class. Shults and Collins won multiple ribbons at the fair and both were pretty happy after the showmanship competition.