The theme for this year’s La Plata County Fair, “Proud of the Past, Poised for the Future,” is intended to pay homage to the ranching and handicraft history of the area and its residents, said Angela Fontaine, the 4-H program assistant.
The fair board chose the theme from about 50 ideas submitted in an open call for suggestions. Fair organizers hope the theme resonates with the public, said Lorene Bondes, livestock superintendent and fair board member.
The county fair brings urban and rural residents together and celebrates the hard work of children and adults, some who have tended to livestock or labored on projects for nearly a year. And it is a time for fun and learning.
Bondes said it is important for rural and urban communities to come together, giving urban residents a chance to get a glimpse into rural life.
Isaac Greer, a 13-year-old from Hesperus who has been raising sheep for the past seven years, said it’s nice to show his livestock at the fair. This year, he has entered three market heifers and three breeding lambs and hopes to sell his heifers during the livestock auction.
The fair gives the urban community a chance to see and touch livestock, Greer said. Participating in the fair also helps children improve different skills, such as interviewing and finding their determination, said Nancy Shock, a Durango native whose family roots at the fair trace back to her great-grandparents. Shock said she attends the fair annually and looks forward to seeing familiar faces and the sense of community that comes with the fair.
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Highlights from the fair include livestock competitions, the demolition derby, a Friday night concert, the carnival, a junior livestock auction and dozens of exhibits, including handicrafts, photography, food preservation, quilt making, cake decoration and homemade beer and wine.
Children who have spent hundreds of hours raising livestock – remembering to feed their animals and learn proper care – will compete in Saturday’s Jr. Livestock Auction, where individuals and businesses bid to purchase the animals. This year, there are 258 livestock entered in 11 different categories. Calvin Story, livestock auctioneer, said the reserve champion hog, steer and lamb usually receive the highest bids.
Chevel Shepard, a country singer from Farmington and the 2018 winner of “The Voice,” will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at the fairgrounds after the Six Dollar String Band performs at 7 p.m. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets for the show are on sale online at shorturl.at/btGLZ, by phone at 247-7657 and in person at the Durango Welcome Center, 802 Main Ave. Reserved seats cost $35 and general admission is $25. Those looking for only general admission tickets can find them at the main office at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.
The Demolition Derby starts at noon Saturday. Tickets sell out fast, according to event organizers. They are available for $15 at the fairgrounds office as well as multiple businesses in Durango, Bayfield and Ignacio. The demolition derby features cars smashing into each other in a show of destruction. The demolition derby is always the fair’s biggest moneymaker and usually sells out, said Amy Peterson, president of the fair board.
The local 4-H program will host a barbecue from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday on the lawn of the Durango/La Plata Senior Center. Tickets cost $8 for adults and $5 for seniors 65 and older and children 7 and younger. People may stop by the fairgrounds office from now until the day of the event to purchase tickets. Tickets purchased on the day of the event will cost $10 for adults.
Bank of Colorado will sponsor a talent show at 7 p.m. Friday. The contest is open to residents of La Plata County and adjacent counties. There will be different age categories, and contestants will have a maximum time limit of five minutes as a panel of three judges scores them. Prize money will be awarded to the top three contestants in each age group. Entry into the contest is free.
The carnival will run Wednesday through Sunday, and a beer garden will be available Thursday through Sunday.
The CODY Project, a local initiative striving to break mental health stigmas and encouraging people to talk about mental health issues, will sponsor a Mental Health Foam Party starting at 11 a.m. Sunday. The goal is to raise awareness about mental health wellness and bring positivity to a day that can be difficult for entrants who are parting ways with their livestock.
bmandile@durangoherald.com
La Plata County Fair schedule
The La Plata County Fair is held at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.
Wednesday
4 p.m.,
4-H sheep show, all classes, 4-H swine showmanship.
6:30 p.m.,
True West Rodeo*
Thursday
8:30 a.m.,
Judging 4-H/FFA breeding swine, market swine following 4-H/FFA open class swine.
9 a.m.,
Judging 4-H/FFA and open class fleeces, 4-H poultry judging, followed by open class home economics, horticulture, floriculture, creative arts.
9 a.m.-8 p.m.,
Exhibits open to the public.
1 p.m.,
Judging 4-H/FFA goat show.
5 p.m.,
Fair royalty modeling and speeches.
7 p.m.,
Livestock sale verification swine and goat cards due.
Friday
9 a.m.,
Judging 4-H/FFA rabbits.
9 a.m.-8 p.m.,
Exhibits open to the public.
10 a.m.,
4-H/FFA breeding beef, beef showmanship.
1 p.m.,
Livestock award presentation.
2 p.m.,
Dairy cattle, all classes.
3:15 p.m.,
Pee Wee showmanship.
4 p.m.,
4-H/FFA livestock round robin, all-around sportsmanship.
7 p.m.,
Talent contest (patio), livestock sale verification beef cards due.
8-10:30 p.m.,
Chevel Shepard concert.**
Saturday
9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.,
Exhibits open to the public.
9 a.m.,
Judging open class beef all classes.
10 a.m.,
Rooster crowing contest, FFA showmanship.
11 a.m.,
Open class dairy cattle, all classes.
Noon,
Demolition Derby.***
Noon-4 p.m.,
4-H Community BBQ (Durango/La Plata Senior Center lawn) with 4-H Marketplace.
2 p.m.,
Rabbit costume contest (costume parade of animals to follow), poultry costume contest.
5 p.m.,
Silver Steaks, Silver Loin & Silver Chop Awards presentation.
5:45 p.m.,
Fair royalty crowning.
6 p.m.,
Junior Livestock Auction (pavilion).
9 p.m.,
Fair Family Dance (patio).
Sunday
8:30 a.m.,
Cowboy Church (pavilion).
9 a.m.-2 p.m.,
Exhibits open to the public.
10 a.m.,
Carcass animals loaded.
11 a.m.,
Mental Health Foam party
1:30 p.m.,
4-H/FFA Catch-It Contest.
Carnival open Wednesday through Sunday
Beer garden open Thursday through Sunday
* The True West Rodeo is not a part of the fair but happens to fall on the same week and is listed on the fair’s schedule of events
** Gates open at 5 p.m.
*** Gates open at 10 a.m.
