Amidst all of the fair food, grandstand events, carnival rides and livestock shows, it’s important to stay safe, as temperatures are expected to rise into the high 90s during Park County Fair week. 

The fair offers a lot of fun during the day, but being outside in high temperatures for long periods of time can put people at risk of a heat-related illness if they aren’t careful.

This set of illnesses can include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, sunburn and heat rash. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion can occur when the body is unable to properly cool itself. 

“In these cases, a person’s body temperature rises faster than it can cool itself down,” a CDC webpage explains. “This can cause damage to the brain and other vital organs.”

Young children, older adults, and people with mental illness and chronic diseases are most at risk, the CDC said.

Other factors that can increase the risk of developing a heat-related illness are heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, dehydration, fever, prescription drug use, obesity, high levels of humidity, sunburn and alcohol use. 

While serious heat-related illnesses at the fair are rare, Park County Events Coordinator Billy Wood encourages fairgoers to stay safe and avoid drinking and driving. 

What to watch for

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. Symptoms include a body temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, skin that is damp or dry, red and hot, a fast pulse, headache, nausea, confusion, loss of consciousness and more.

If you recognize symptoms of heat stroke, call 911, move the person to a cool area, help cool them with cloths or put them in a cool bath, the CDC advises.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include heavy sweating, clammy skin, a weak pulse, nausea or vomiting and fainting. It’s typically not necessary to call 911 for heat exhaustion — unless the individual is throwing up and symptoms worsen or last more than one hour. In non-emergent cases, move the person to a cool place, loosen their clothes, cool them down with wet rags or a bath and have them sip water.

Heat cramp symptoms may include heavy sweating during intense exercise and muscle spasms while heat rashes are red clusters of small blisters that most often break out on the chest, neck, groin and elbow crease.

Opportunities to cool down

Wood said resources will be available during the fair for those who need to cool down. That includes air-conditioned exhibit halls and EMS personnel stationed near the fair office.

Park County Public Health will be posted across from Heart Mountain Hall, near Homesteader Hall, with a “Rock and Rest Trailer.” The air-conditioned camper will be set up to host mothers, offering cool water and a private space to breastfeed or change dirty diapers.

Safe Kids will be stationed next to Park County Public Health’s camper with informational displays about the dangers of leaving children and pets in a hot car. That will include a demonstration of how temperatures inside a vehicle can get hot enough to bake cookies. In the case of a kid or animal, the consequences of being left in a sweltering car can quickly prove fatal on a hot summer day.