The 102nd annual Middle Park Fair and Rodeo begins this week.
Friday, August 3 is exhibit day where 4-Hers show off their 4-H projects that they have researched, sewn, cooked or crafted. Shooting sports participants also share their projects with a judge who interviews them and scores them.
Saturday, August 4 is the dog and cat show. It is held at the fairgrounds. The momentum for the day continues with a 5K race at Ceriani and finishes with a fashion revue at Cliffview Assisted Living Center.
Sunday, August 5 is the Open Horse Show and all entries are welcome. From halter classes featuring young foals, quarter horses and draft horses, to western and English classes the day is a full one for all equine enthusiasts. The day begins at 9 a.m.
On Tuesday, August 7, participants need to bring their entries for the exhibit day beginning at 8 a.m. extending to 8 p.m. The horse 4-H show will also be happening in the arena.
On Wednesday, August 8 the 4-H horse events will conclude with the speed events and the 4-H rabbit and poultry show will begin at 9 a.m. The night will finish with a 5D Barrel Race.
Thursday, August 9 marks the end of the hard work for many of the 4-Hers as they head into the showring with their livestock projects. The 4-H swine show begins at 8 a.m. followed by the 4-H Sheep Show and Goat Show at 11 a.m. and the 4-H Beef Show at 3 p.m. The livestock judges will begin each of the shows by judging the showmanship skills of 4-Hers as they handle their animals in the showring. Later the judges will judge each animal and choose the champions.
Later on Thursday night, the popular junior rodeo returns this year for rodeo competitors younger than 18 years old. The evening is free for spectators and will feature the young cowgirls and cowboys running their horses through barrel and pole patterns, roping, goat tying, mutton bustin’ and riding bulls.
Thursday is the opening of the Exhibit Hall where there is something for everyone from quilting, photographs, art work, cakes, canning, gardening and more. Be sure to take time to visit.
On Friday, August 10, gate admission begins between noon and 5 p.m. Gate admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids. The day begins with Ranch Horse Versatility at 9 am in the morning in the big arena. Spectators can enjoy watching the age-old tools of cowboys as they use their horses to cut and sort cattle from the herd, rope and demonstrate their horses agility and control. At 10 a.m. the top 4-H showman from swine, sheep, goats, beef and horse, meet in the beef showring with their animals. Each showman then has the opportunity to compete for the overall showman as they rotate through each species.
At 11:30 a.m., the popular youth show for those under the age of 8 begins. They bring their favorite pets that range from – ferrets, ponies, chickens, bottle calves, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and walk them in the show arena in front of the pig barn. The Middle Park Fair and Rodeo royalty is usually on hand to assist with interviews!
Then at noon the 4-H llama and alpaca show begins. The llamas and alpacas are shown on halter, dressed in costumes and asked to complete obstacle courses.
At 3 p.m., the action circles back to the horse arena for a Calamity Jane Muley Roping hosting by the Middle Park Roping Club.
At 5 p.m. potential 4-H sale buyers and past buyers are invited to a steak pre-sale dinner with live music and all the fixens. At 7 p.m. the 4-H sale begins and culminates the year for the 4-Hers as their livestock projects are sold in a live auction.
At 9 p.m. the community dance, begins in the dance hall with a DJ sportin’ all of our favorite tunes. August 11, Saturday morning begins with the kids games at 9-11 a.m. The kids games are all free with admission and features carnival games, dunk tanks, egg toss and more.
The day continues its momentum at 10 a.m. with the Commissioner Cookie Jar Contest and the Mayor’s Pie Contest. Contestants can enter their favorite recipes for the commissioners from Grand and Summit and the mayors from Grand County to judge. The annual horseshoe tournament continues this year at the Don Pickering Memorial Horseshoe Pits. The Rosie O’Hotto Salsa Showdown continues this year. Participants will enter their salsa and fair-goers will sample their fares to vote and determine the overall salsa. Last year, featured tempting dishes from the traditional to those made of beets.
At 11:30 a.m. children bring their favorite small pets dressed in an array of costumes. Cash prizes are awarded. At noon, the community is invited to attend a ceremony for Pioneers of the Year and Citizens of the Year. This year pioneers are Barbara Mitchell and Ida Sheriff and Citizens of the Year are Chris and Bernie Murphy.
Those in memoriam being honored are Dale Clyde Childers, Emily Dee, Jim Lynch, Ben McClelland and Ed Pickering.
Following the luncheon at 1 p.m. are the popular horse race matches. The races will be on the track in front of the grand stands.
At 3 p.m., the entertainment continues with the mini-broncs
At 5 p.m., the Ranch Rodeo will begin. Teams of cowboys and cowgirls will once again demonstrate their skills as they rope, treat and trailer cattle in a timed event.
On Sunday, the final day begins with Cowboy Church Services at 9 a.m. and a archery tournament. At 10 a.m., the Walk Your Wool event begins with participants leading their wool animal in an outfit made from wool. At 11 a.m., the famous charcoaled top round roasts with secret seasonings BBQ begins. It is $10 a plate with a drink and all the fixins. Additional meat can also be purchased for $7 a pound.
The day finishes with the Colorado Professional Rodeo Association sanctioned rodeo at 1 p.m. The rodeo also offers a chance for the little ones to mutton bust. During the rodeo, the new Middle Park Fair and Rodeo royalty will be crowned. For more information, visit www.middleparkfairandrodeo.com.
