Our La Plata County Fair is next month!
It will be held Aug. 11-15 at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Our 4-H members, the Fair Board and I are so excited to have our normal scheduled activities and to be able to welcome the public back to enjoy them with us.
Over the next month, our 4-H members will be finalizing their record books, putting the final touches on their projects and working with their animals to make sure they are show ready. Our pre-fair events will kick off on Saturday, July 31, with our shooting sport shoot, where members will show off their bulls-eye skills.
The next day, we will have our shooting sport shotgun shoot and our 4-H dog show. Our 4-H dog show is always fun to watch, especially the costume contest. Our members plan their costumes all year long, so it never disappoints. The next weekend, we have our horse show and gymkhana. This will be a fantastic weekend full of equestrian events that include jumping, speed events and horsemanship.
We will kick off fair week by having members turn in their non-animal projects, complete interviews with judges and compete in our demonstration contest, cake decorating contest and creative cooks contest.
Wednesday, Aug. 11, is the official first day of our La Plata County Fair, when our members bring in their animals and get them settled and ready for three days of shows. Sheep will show on Wednesday; swine, poultry and goats on Thursday; and Friday is our beef show. Our livestock shows are always fun and educational for the whole family. If you have a chance to swing by, check it out and talk with our 4-H members about their animals.
Don’t forget to mark your calendar for our annual fundraiser, the 4-H Community BBQ, from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, on the Durango/La Plata Senior Center lawn. The menu includes: local beef and pork, Olathe corn on the cob, garden salad, country bread from the famous Bread bakery, Serious Texas brownies, ice cream and a beverage generously donated from Durango Coca-Cola. Tickets are $10 for adults at the door or $8 in advance, and $5 for seniors and children (12 and younger). The barbecue is a fun-filled community event that supports our local 4-H program and you will not leave hungry.
Our Junior Livestock Sale is at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14. This is a wonderful way to support our local youths. For many 4-H/FFA members, the money they receive from selling their animals is used to pay for their college education. This is your chance to invest in them and the future of La Plata County by purchasing an animal.
We anticipate selling at auction: 39 beef, 16 sheep, 23 goats, 50 swine, five rabbits and six poultry. We will have a live auction for those of you who want to attend in person, and we are continuing to provide a virtual option so you can participate in the livestock auction from the comfort of your own home via phone bidding.
For more information about the La Plata County Fair, visit laplatacountyfair.org, check out the fair’s Facebook page @Laplatacountyfair or call the La Plata County Extension Office at 382-6465.
Angela Fountain is the La Plata County 4-H youth development agent. Reach her at angela.fountain@co.laplata.co.us or 382-6460.
