Ranching demonstrations, crashing cars, and livestock of all varieties converged at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds this week for the annual county fair.

The fair kicked off July 26 with a concert by Austin-based band Reckless Kelly, and then continued through the week with 4-H showings and competitions, all leading up to the Friday night Ranch Rodeo and Saturday livestock auction.

The concert was the biggest change of the year, said Kelly Comisky, a member of the fair’s board of directors – Reckless Kelly is a bigger name than the Montezuma County Fair has previously hosted. They saw a high turnout, Comisky said.

But other than that, much remained the same.

Youngsters chased chickens, archers competed in their craft, and tug-of-war competitors tested their pulling power and prowess. In the main barn, booths were set up for food vendors and local organizations ranging from honey and woodworking businesses to political collectives.

The La Plata County 4-H Livestock Judging Team was selling raffle tickets for prizes including a locally raised and processed whole pig, quarter beef, a chain saw, local of 3/4-inch gravel, and Colorado Saddlery headstall, rug and holster.

The team travels around the state judging hogs, sheep, goats, and cattle, said Rylie Zufelt, a team member from the Bayfield-Durango area. The raffle money will be used to send the group to Denver to take part in the National Western Stock Show in January.

At the chili contest Saturday, fair attendees could pay $2 to judge the competition, and they were able to sample a host of homemade chili and salsas.

Liana Wright was serving out green chili, an old family recipe of her husband’s – with a potato twist.

“We always make a big vat of it,” she said. “Like a turkey roaster pan of it. You can’t get enough.”

ealvero@the-journal.com