The 2017 La Plata County Fair is fast approaching, and this year’s theme is “A Living Legacy.”
4-H members throughout the county have been working hard all year for this event. Members will enter projects, perform in contests and show animals, all for the general public to see. The fair will be held Aug. 9-13 at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave., in Durango.
Members will complete projects in a variety of categories, including natural resources, foods and nutrition, home economics and animals. To complete a project, members must finish a record book and interview, present a demonstration or illustrated talk and participate in at least one community service event during the year. These requirements allow for young people to gain the life skills of responsibility and commitment.
4-H contests this year will include: Cake Decorating, Creative Cooks, Demonstration and the Fashion Revue. These contests will take place during pre-fair events Aug. 7-8 in the Extension building. Individual and team winners of these contests will qualify to represent La Plata County 4-H at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo.
The animal shows are always a major highlight of the fair. 4-H members will show horses, dogs, rabbits, poultry, sheep, goats, pigs and cows. 4-H’ers have been applying good animal husbandry skills all year to prepare their animals for these events. 4-H members take great pride in taking the best care of their animals.
Once again, we will also host the tastiest barbecue of the summer from noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 12 on the lawn of the Durango/La Plata Senior Center. The meal will include beef and pork, corn on the cob, salad, bread, dessert with ice cream and a non-alcoholic beverage. Tickets are $5 for seniors and kids 7 years old and younger. Adult tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. You can purchase tickets at the Extension Office or through 4-H members.
All proceeds from the 4-H Community BBQ will go directly to support local 4-H programs. We couldn’t pull off such a great fundraiser without sponsorship from our community. We would like to thank Chevron, XTO Energy, BP America, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, La Plata Energy Council, Basin Co-op, Coca-Cola of Durango, La Plata Electric Association, the Gillen family, Bread, First National Bank of Durango, Bank of Colorado, Serious Texas Bar-B-Q, Durango/La Plata County Senior Center and Farm Fresh Market.
Cooking teams Chevron, BP America, XTO Energy and the 2016 champion Crossfire will compete for the coveted Sizzling Cup trophy. There will also be a People’s Choice Award for best barbecue. In addition, Stillwater Music will again be provide tunes while you eat. This is one meal you won’t want to miss.
Greg Felsen is the La Plata County 4-H youth development agent. Reach him at gregory.felsen@co.laplata.co.us or 382-6463.
Greg Felsen
Fair information
For more about the La Plata County Fair, visit
http://bit.ly/2sgfX9f
. Fair programs are also available the Extension Office at 2500 Main Ave.
