With cakes, cattle and competition, the La Plata County Fair is back in full swing after a scaled-back celebration in 2020.
Last year, COVID-19 put a damper on county fairs across the country, including the annual event held at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Bleachers were half-filled because of crowd capacity limits, and several events were limited or canceled by public health restrictions.
But this year, the fair, themed “Mountain Air, County Fair,” will bring back crowd-pleasers like the Demolition Derby, 4-H dance and community barbecue. And young participants in La Plata County 4-H clubs and Future Farmers of America will finally have the chance to show off months of work.
“Last year was amazing getting to have the fair we had, even though it was just 4-H and FFA,” said Angela Fountain, with Colorado State University Extension of La Plata County. “We all feel really good to be able to all get back together and hang out more. ... It’s going to be a good year. We’re excited.”
On Monday, 4-H club members showed off their skills in the cake decorating and the “Creative Cooks” contests. They presented on everything from the physics of bows to first-aid kits.
Tuesday, they held the “4-H Fashion Revue” and turned in their home economics, natural resources and general projects, oftentimes the results of months of hard work.
“All of those went really well. My kids did an amazing job in every single one,” Fountain said. “I was so proud of them.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has not completely disappeared from this year’s fair. Organizers have asked anyone who goes to indoor events to wear a face covering, with a basket of masks ready to greet people entering the Extension building.
Face coverings are not required in La Plata County, although the doubly contagious delta variant has reinvigorated concerns about the spread of the virus.
“We can’t quite require it, but we’re begging people to do it. We have a lot of kids that can’t get vaccinated, and we have a lot of elderly people that help us out with volunteering,” Fountain said. “It’s really important for us to be able to protect them as much as we can.”
Volunteers roamed around the Extension building Tuesday, placing ribbons on projects during the judging process. Decorated and hand-sewn clothing projects hung on the walls as part of the “Upcycle Your Style” competition.
Sprinkle-covered cakes and carefully designed desserts rested on some tables and shelves, while rocket displays and tri-fold presentation boards covered others. An award-winning rustic wooden bench, made by 9-year-old Truman Lee, sat next to other woodworking projects.
Next up: The fair royalty crowning, talent contests, animal costume contests and days of showmanship competitions for cattle, goats, swine, poultry, rabbits and other livestock.
The 4-H Fair Family Dance is back on Saturday, as is the Community 4-H BBQ Cook Off, the biggest 4-H fundraiser each year. The Demolition Derby, a battle between beefed-up cars outfitted with metal cages, is back on. Tickets are still on sale for $15 each, Fountain said.
“It’s like the last car standing is the one that ends up winning,” Fountain said. “It’s just complete chaos.”
Bleachers, partially empty because of COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, will be filled with community members alongside the families involved with 4-H and FFA.
Families are camping out at the fairgrounds all week, in part to stay with their livestock overnight and in part to spend time with friends.
It’s just a huge week of fun, Fountain said.
“The fair is a really exciting time, no matter what happens,” she said. “Most people, especially the kids, are just excited to be able to turn in their projects and show them off.”
smullane@durangoherald.com
4 p.m.: 4-H Sheep Show, all classes; judging Open Class Sheep Show, followed by Swine Showmanship.
6:30 p.m.: True West Rodeo. $15 adults, $10 veterans/seniors/youths, children 4 and younger free. Tickets: www.twr.primoticketing.com.
8:30 a.m.: Judging 4-H/FFA Breeding Swine, Market Swine, followed by Open Class Swine, all classes.
9 a.m.-8 p.m.: Exhibits open to the public.
9 a.m.: Judging Open Class Home Economics, Horticulture, Floriculture and Creative Arts; judging 4-H/FFA and Open Class Fleeces; 4-H Poultry judging followed by Open Class.
1 p.m.: Judging 4-H/FFA Goat Show, all classes; followed by Open Class Goat, all classes.
4 p.m.: Fair Royalty interviews.
5 p.m.: Fair Royalty speeches and modeling.
7 p.m.: Talent Contest, patio.
9 a.m.-8 p.m.: Exhibits open to the public.
9 a.m.: Judging 4-H/FFA Rabbits.
10 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Breeding Beef, Beef Showmanship.
1 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Market Beef, Grand Champion and Reserve Grand; Champion Market Beef, Champion Selection.
2 p.m.: Dairy Cattle, all classes.
4 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Livestock Round Robin, All-Around Showmanship.
3:15 p.m.: Pee Wee Showmanship.
8-10 p.m.: Michael Martin Murphey concert, $25-$45. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. Tickets: 247-8477 or www.tix.com/ticket-sales/durangoconcerts/260/event/1227424.
9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.: Exhibits open to 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, $15. Doors open at 10 a.m. Tickets at Handlebar Motorsports, Fender Menders, Durango Muffler and Walker’s Do It Best Hardware in Ignacio.
Noon-4 p.m.: Community 4-H BBQ Cook Off, senior center lawn. $10 at the door. Advance tickets $8 adults, $5 seniors and children. Tickets: 382-6465 or from 4-H members.
2 p.m.: Rabbit Costume Contest, follow by animal costume parade; Poultry Costume Contest.
5 p.m.: Silver Steaks, Silver Loin and Silver Chop Award presentation.
5:45 p.m.: Fair Royalty Crowning.
6 p.m.: Junior Livestock Sale, pavilion.
9 p.m.-midnight: Fair Family Dance, patio. $5 at the door.
8:30 a.m.: Cowboy Church, pavilion.
9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Exhibits open to the public.
1:30 p.m: 4-H/FFA Catch-it Contest.
Open Thursday to Saturday.
