BAYFIELD – Excitement, dust and flies fill the air at Jordan Lott’s family ranch where the 16-year-old prepares her stocky black breeding heifer, Bunny, and freshly shaven breeding ewe, Marceline, for their big days at the 2024 La Plata County Fair.
Lott, who was born raised on this 120-acre Bayfield ranch that has belonged to her family for five generations, distinguished herself earlier this year as the state’s No. 1 youth livestock judge at the Colorado State 4-H Judging Contest.
Beginning today, however, Lott will be on the other side of the judge’s table, hoping her animals score high enough to earn her college money after she sells them at auction. She will be alongside dozens of other rural La Plata County children hoping their months of hard work raising livestock and honing other ag skills will pay off.
Like crackling embers leaping off a dying bonfire, as summer draws to a close, La Plata County residents come together at the La Plata County Fairgrounds to celebrate the season’s end in one last blaze of glory.
The theme of this year’s fair is “Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights,” chosen by Angela Fountain, 4-H youth development leader for La Plata County, who said the theme emphasizes the fair as an opportunity to put aside differences and come together as Americans.
“I look forward to the fair every year because it’s an exciting time that brings the whole county together,” said Fair Board President Amy Peterson.
Parking for this year’s fair, like last year, will be limited as a result of construction at Miller Middle School. Peterson said fairgoers can park at Durango High School or the Durango Public Library and walk to the fairgrounds, or find parking elsewhere and use public transportation.
A free shuttle service will be available between DHS and the fairgrounds at all hours the fair is open, Peterson said.
Kicking off the fair will be the summer’s last True Western Round-Up rodeo at Wednesday’s “Legends in Roughstock” show, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for youths and seniors, and free for ages 4 and younger.
Pam Petrie, producer of the True Western Roundup, said on top of watching veteran cowboys hold their own against bucking broncs and bulls, Wednesday’s show will feature the Flying Fireballs, a trick-riding group, and the San Juan Sparkles and Spurs, an equine drill team.
“We just love supporting the community and giving the locals a place to gather and come down, grab a cold soda and catch up with their neighbors,” Petrie said.
After two long days packed with competitions and exhibitions, participants can unwind Friday night with a concert opening with Durango-based country singer Tim Sullivan, and headlining with grammy-award winning country star Suzy Bogguss, most famous for her 1991 cover of “Someday Soon,” a love song about a cowboy from southern Colorado.
“Colorado definitely digs Suzy Bogguss,” said Gary Penington, organizer of the concert. He said he selected her for her crystal clear voice and lyrics that celebrate Western culture.
The Suzy Bogguss concert will begin at 6:45 p.m.; general admission is $30, reserved seating is $45 and VIP seating in front of the stage is $65.
This year, the demolition derby will he;d away from the Fairgrounds to the Sky Ute Fairgrounds in Ignacio, and rescheduled until a week after the rest of the fair on Aug. 17. Gates will open at 10 a.m. and tickets cost $15 per person.
For a time it seemed the continuation of this time-honored tradition may not happen when La Plata County officials told the fair board they could no longer host the derby at its usual location, citing concerns about being liable for holding it at the Fairgrounds.
However, in February, the fair board announced it found a willing host in Sky Ute Fairgrounds, with a venue that can seat an additional 400 audience members.
Some organizer still don’t see eye-to-eye with the county about its decisions: “The derby has never had one injury, not in the 27 years we’ve been doing it, but the county still insisted it was too dangerous,” Peterson said. Nonetheless, they are excited the tradition will live on.
Ralph Brawley, a demolition derby organizer and participant, said even though he’s worried the derby won’t have the same energy a town and a week away from its traditional place and time, nothing could curb his excitement about the smash-’em-up car event.
“I build cars all year round for this,” he said. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world, it’s exhilarating.”
From 4-H and FFA competitions for kids like Jordyn to show off their skills, to a demolition derby whose oldest-ever driver was 79, organizers said there will be something for everyone at this year’s La Plata County Fair.
“It’s good for the sense of community,” Peterson said. “It’s not just for part of the county or one group; the whole county comes together.”
nmetcalf@durangoherald.com
