Independence Day is done. San Ignacio Fiesta is done. So now it's time for the La Plata County Fair. Activities start this weekend with the 4-H horse show on Saturday and 4-H gymkhana on Sunday, and the rabbit show on Saturday.
Events will continue on Monday and Tuesday with 4-H cake decorating, creative cooking, fashions, and other activities. The fair cranks up on Wednesday with all entries due, followed by the 4-H sheep show and swine showmanship. And the carnival opens. Fair admission is free, but the carnival and some other events like the demolition derby cost money.
The fair has open class competitions in livestock and a long list of other categories, as well as the 4-H and FFA events. Many are totally suitable for town folk, not just farm and ranch families. They include everything from quilts and weaving to beer and wine making to photography, arts and crafts, baked and canned goods, flowers and vegetables from home gardens, and more. All are listed in the fair book that's available now in many locations around the county.
The big days are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with something for everyone. Plan to park west of Main Avenue or north of the fairgrounds and Durango Rec Center. The entire fairgrounds is taken up with exhibits and the carnival.
Thursday activities include the 4-H and FFA market and breeding swine, poultry, and goat judging, plus all the fair exhibits, and the fair royalty contestant speeches and modeling, In the evening, teams will compete to be first to shuck a box of corn. Also on tap is the log skidding race.
Friday events include 4-H and FFA rabbit judging, and the big beef events - 4-H and FFA breeding beef and beef showmanship, and selection of the 4-H/ FFA market beef champion, reserve grand champion, and grand champion.
Also on Friday will be a demonstration on bees, the 4-H and FFA livestock round robin showmanship, a tug of war, pee wee showmanship, and the evening talent contest and antique tractor pull.
Saturday events include the 4-H dog show, the rooster crowing contest, FFA showmanship, open class beef and dairy cattle, the rabbit and poultry costume contests, and lots more. The demolition derby starts at noon, as does the community 4-H barbecue cookoff and 4-H marketplace. The Silver Steaks Award will be presented at 5 p.m., and the new fair royalty will be crowned at 5:45 p.m.
The culminating event for 4-H livestock kids is the Junior Livestock Sale starting at 6 p.m. in the livestock pavilion. Saturday ends with the family dance from 9 p.m. to midnight.
The fair winds down on Sunday with Cowboy Church, exhibits open until 2 p.m., and the 4-H/ FFA catch-it contests starting at 1:30.
More information is at 247-4355 or the county web site, www.co.laplata.co.us.
