The Montezuma County Fair begins this weekend and continues through Aug. 2. It kicks off with a country rock concert Friday night.
Little Texas will perform at the fairground’s outdoor arena at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the door, and gates open at 6 p.m. Overton Road is the opening band.
Little Texas is a nationally known country-rock band from Nashville with a modern sound and a stage show that has been critically acclaimed worldwide.
Dubbed “the hardest-working band in country music,” it was not uncommon for the band to play more than 300 shows a year, according to their Facebook page.
The band’s first radio release, “Some Guys Have All The Love,” became a Top-10 hit, as did their next single, “First Time For Everything.” After the album “First Time For Everything” was released, five singles reached the top of the charts.
The second album, “Big Time,” has sold more than three million copies to date, spawned three No. 1 singles, and captured the group’s first CMT Award, a Billboard award, a Radio & Records award and a Grammy nod.
Classic events will return to the county fair, including the Ranch Rodeo, family gymkhana, lawnmower races, animal shows, greased pig chase, chicken chase, demolition derby, goat roping, team roping, barrel racing and an ATV rodeo. There will be chili and salsa contests, and other events.
Traditional 4-H and FFA events will be held, and the livestock sale will occur. There will be a farmers market, craft fair, food, and vendors. Entrance to the fair is free. There is a charge for the concert and the Demo Derby.
Organizing the fair is a collaboration between the county fair board and the Montezuma County Colorado State University Extension office.
Going forward with the youth livestock shows is important for the agricultural community, said county extension director Greg Felsen.
“People are super-excited that the youths can show off the hard work they have done with their animals throughout the year,” he said. “The livestock auction is a chance to support the 4-H community and is a way to get locally raised meat.”
Fair officials say they plan to follow state and county COVID-19 safety guidelines. Facial coverings are recommended for fair attendees, and social distancing should be practiced. People who feel ill or are suspected to have been in close proximity of a person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 are asked to stay home. Also wash hands frequently, refrain from mingling with others outside your household, and practice social distancing.
Indoor venues and arenas will be monitored to avoid overcrowding, officials said.
For more information and the schedule, visit montezumacountyfair.com, their Facebook page, and the Montezuma County CSU Extension website.
MONTEZUMA COUNTY FAIR SCHEDULE
JULY 18-19
8 a.m.:
4-H Horse Show, Outdoor Arena
FRIDAY, JULY 24
6 p.m.:
Gates open
7 p.m.:
Concert
SATURDAY, JULY 25th
6 p.m.:
Pen setup, Main Barn
4 p.m.:
Team Roping books open
5 p.m.:
Team Roping, Outdoor Arena
SUNDAY, JULY 26
9 a.m.:
Family Gymkhana, Outdoor Arena (pre-entry required)
2-4 p.m.:
Community Open Class entries taken, Main Barn
MONDAY, JULY 27
7 a.m.:
4-H Rocket Launch, parking lot west of grandstands (Clover buds then will launch their rockets)
8-11 a.m :
Open Class entries taken, Main Barn
1 p.m.:
Community Open Class judging, Main Barn
TUESDAY, JULY 28
8 a.m.-10 a.m.:
4-H entries taken, Main Barn
10 a.m.:
Club Table setup
Club tables must be set up by 1 p.m.
11 a.m.:
4-H and Open Class judging, Main Barn
11 a.m.:
Herdsmanship interviews and poster judging
1 p.m.:
4-H General Project and Open Class setup, Main Barn
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29
7-8 a.m.:
Swine check-in and weigh-in, Swine Barn
8-9 a.m.:
Poultry check-in, Rabbit/Poultry Barn
8-9 a.m.:
Goat check-in and weigh-in, Sheep/Goat Barn
9-10 a.m.:
Sheep check-in and weigh-in, Sheep/Goat Barn
10-11 a.m.:
Beef check-in and weigh-in, Beef Barn
1–5 p.m.:
Vendor check-in
5–6 p.m.:
Sign-ups for ATV/Lawn Mower Race, Outdoor Arena
6 p.m.:
ATV Rodeo and Lawn Mower Race, Outdoor Arena
THURSDAY, JULY 30
9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.:
Exhibits open to public
9 a.m.:
4-H/FFA Sheep Show, Main Barn (Open Sheep Show to follow)
10 a.m.:
4-H & Open Poultry Show
11 a.m.:
Chicken Chase, ages 3-8
1 p.m.:
4-H/FFA Goat Show, Main Barn (Open Class Goat Show to follow)
4:45 p.m.:
Bucket Calf Show, Main Barn
5 p.m.:
4-H/FFA Beef Show, Main Barn (Open Beef show to follow)
6 p.m.:
Goat Roping, Outdoor Arena
FRIDAY, JULY 31 – RED FRIDAY
8:30 a.m.:
4-H/FFA Swine Show, Swine Barn (Open Swine Show to follow)
9 a.m.:
Rooster Crowing, Poultry Barn
9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.:
Exhibits open to public
11:30 a.m.:
Peewee Cortez FFA Round Robin
1 p.m.:
Sheep Scramble, ages 8-18, Outdoor Arena, parent signature required
2:30 p.m.:
IFA Chicken Chase, ages 3-8, Swine Barn
3 p.m.:
Grand Round Robin, Outdoor Arena
3 p.m.:
Four Corners Community Bank Money Hunt, ages 3-4, Main Barn
3:30 p.m.:
Four Corners Community Bank Money Hunt, ages 5-6, Main Barn
4 p.m.:
Four Corners Community Bank Money Hunt, age 7, Main Barn
4.30 p.m.:
Four Corners Community Bank Money Hunt, age 8, Main Barn
7 p.m.:
Ranch Rodeo, Outdoor Arena, entries due by 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, AUG. 1
8 a.m.:
Mandatory sale meeting, Main Barn
9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.:
Exhibits open to public
9:30 a.m.:
Chicken Chase, ages 3-8
10 a.m.:
Four Corners Community Bank Money Hunt, ages 3-4, Main Barn
10:30 A.M.:
Four Corners Community Bank Money Hunt, ages 5-6, Main Barn
11 p.m.:
Four Corners Community Bank Money Hunt age 7, Main Barn
11:30 p.m.:
Four Corners Community Bank Money Hunt, age 8, Main Barn
11:30 a.m.:
First National Bank Greased Pig Chase, Swine Barn
1-1:45 p.m.:
Buyer meet-and-greet, Livestock Barns
2 p.m.:
Junior Livestock Sale, Main Barn (Chuckwagon dinner follow sale)
5 p.m.:
LJ Productions Barrel Race
5 p.m.:
Release vendors
5 p.m.:
Demolition Derby gates open, Racetrack
6 p.m.:
Demolition Derby starts, Racetrack
SUNDAY, AUG. 2
8-9 a.m.: Open/4-H General Project entry release
9-10 a.m.: General Project Room tear-down and cleanup
10 a.m.: Livestock and Exhibit release, pen tear-down and cleanup
***Schedule is subject to change; will be posted as changes occur
