EDITORIAL: Park County Fair starts today

Posted 7/25/17

As always, there is plenty to see and do this year — animals, exhibits, a carnival for thrills and great entertainment as well.

While much of the fair will seem very familiar, some things will be new or different. First and foremost, this is …

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EDITORIAL: Park County Fair starts today

Posted

The wait is over: Today is opening day for the 2017 Park County Fair. 

As always, there is plenty to see and do this year — animals, exhibits, a carnival for thrills and great entertainment as well.

While much of the fair will seem very familiar, some things will be new or different. First and foremost, this is the first year that Teecee Barrett is managing the fair as Park County’s events coordinator. Barrett was hired in January to replace Echo Renner, who resigned from the position late 2016. 

We wish Barrett well this week. 

This is the time for agriculture to shine. Children, teens and adults who have worked for months to get their animals ready to show will head to the show rings at the fair, and growers have chosen the best samples of their crops, wool, hay and other fruits of their labors to exhibit.  

Park County bakers have prepared their most tempting and delectable creations for judges to sample. 

Also on exhibit are paintings, drawings, needlework, photography, woodwork, children’s artwork and many other forms of arts and crafts. 

Grandstand events include the traditional Pig Wrestling event today (Tuesday), a mounted shooting demonstration and a concert by Lonestar on Wednesday, a Ranch Rodeo (at the horse arenas) on Thursday, an Arenacross on Friday and the crowd-favorite Demolition Derby on Saturday. 

Acts on the Free Stage range from performances of The Rewinders, a local country dance band, to a trick-roping cowgirl, to a magic show — among many others. 

This year, tickets to grandstand events include same-day gate admission, and we think that was a smart move by the Park County Fair Advisory Board and Barrett.

Also new this year is a renovation of the Livestock Sale Barn, which improved the entrances and provided more ventilation in the barn. 

On Saturday, the traditional fair parade will roll down Bent Street, but under new management. The newly formed Park County FairGROUNDS Foundation is running the parade this year to help raise money for an electronic marquee sign for the fairground’s entrance.

Each year, planning for the Park County Fair begins almost as soon as the gates close on the previous one. We applaud all the hard work that has gone into those preparations by Barrett, Park County Building and Grounds crews, fair staff, board members, superintendents and many other volunteers. 

We also appreciate law enforcement officers from the Powell Police Department and the Park County Sheriff’s Office who will be on hand to make sure the public is safe.

Thanks to their combined efforts, we all can have a bunch of good, safe fun at this year’s fair. 

Let’s have a great week!

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