The La Plata County Fair opened officially Wednesday, kicking off five days of celebrating the region’s agricultural heritage with a smattering of events that range from traditional animal husbandry to the full-fledged destruction of the demolition derby, with a poultry costume contest in the middle. The fair offers all who attend – as participants or observers – a glimpse into the region’s personality and achievements, all packaged to bring the community together.
Today’s events will focus on the more traditional agricultural undertakings that the fair honors and include judging of the swine, goat and fleece categories. The various home economics, horticulture, floriculture and creative arts entries will be on display for the public and judges to peruse. It is worth a trip through the fairgrounds Extension Building to see the quilting, gardening, baking, canning and countless other skills so prevalent in the county. At 5 p.m., contenders for the fair royalty will model and give speeches, followed at 7 p.m. by a corn-shucking contest in the livestock ring.
On Friday, the livestock judging will switch to rabbits and beef, and the day’s activities culminate at 7 p.m. with a livestock sale, talent contest and antique tractor pull taking place simultaneously at the fairgrounds.
Saturday, though, will be the fair’s main event. In addition to more beef and dairy cattle judging, there will be a dog show at 9 a.m., followed by a rooster-crowing contest at 10 a.m. The poultry costume contest will be held at 11 a.m., not to be outdone by the rabbit costume contest at 2 p.m.
The Demolition Derby will begin at noon. This local favorite features all the smash-’em-up mud-flinging spectators can handle for a year, and is punctuated by the ongoing 4-H barbecue cook-off held from noon to 5 p.m. The fair’s royalty will be crowned at 5:45, and the evening will finish with a family dance from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on the patio. The fair will wrap up on Sunday with cowboy church at 8:30 a.m. and more opportunities to view exhibits throughout the day.
Ongoing throughout the week will be the carnival rides and associated food-indulgence opportunities of the fried variety. It is as much a rite of summer as sprinklers and lemonade, and for many of La Plata County’s children, marks a final hoorah before school’s beginning.
With its emphasis on homegrown achievements, hard work and connection to place and community, the La Plata County Fair is an important celebration of life in this region – and all the different shades that color it. Take time during the next four days to enjoy what it offers and learn something new about your friends’ and neighbors’ interests and skills.
Or at least stop by for a deep-fried Oreo.
