County fair bigger and better

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

A tradition of 125 years transitions to modern buildings this year as the Larimer County Fair and Rodeo celebrates its first event at The Ranch east of Interstate 25.

The multi-building complex opened last September, after the fair and rodeo said goodbye to its old digs near downtown Loveland. Pre-fair Days start July 30 with a free Sneak Peak Day on Aug. 4 at the new fairgrounds.

Entertainment, entertainment and more entertainment is the rallying cry expected to bring in thousands more fairgoers this year. The $62 million fairgrounds has a 7,200-seat multi-purpose events center, two large exhibit halls and an indoor arena for livestock shows and competition. The fair will be in full swing Aug. 5 through 11.

The Ranch is located a half mile east of I-25 at exit 259 (Crossroads Boulevard).

"It's an attractive place with attractive events," said fair manager Bob Holt. "I hope it's a good visitor experience for everybody."

Holt noted that Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at the fair will end with a short fireworks display around 10 or 10:30.

Much remains the same: parade, carnival rides, PRCA rodeo, 4-H exhibits, open exhibits, commercial booths and food stands. A change, however, is that vendors will be selling beer for the first time.

Parking is free, but fairgoers will have to pay an admission fee Aug. 5 through 10. Discounted advance all-fair passes are on sale through July 20. A $20, six-day flat ticket for adults or $10 for children (ages 4 to 12) and seniors covers daily admission Aug. 5 to 10. A second option, which includes carnival rides and admission every day of the fair, is priced at $50 for adults and $40 for children and seniors. Advance tickets are available at Ranch-Way Feeds, 546 Willow St., Fort Collins, and LaPorte Feed and Supply, 3612 W. County Road 54G.

Bill Hames Shows presents this year's carnival. With more space, there will be more rides, Holt noted. The carnival is the same one that appears at Cheyenne Frontier Days, the Greeley Stampede and the Colorado State Fair.

Daily admission for the fair is $5 for adults and $3 for children. On Aug. 9, children will be admitted to the fair free between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. while seniors are admitted free on Aug. 10 during the same time period.

Highlights

• July 24, 10 a.m. - Dedication ceremony for Dawn Weimer's bronze sculpture "Too Big For Her Britches."
• July 31, 9:30 a.m. - parade with the theme "New Faces, New Places at the Fair" following the traditional route in downtown Loveland.
• July 31 and Aug. 1 - junior rodeo with mutton bustin' to bronc riding in the Ranch-Way Feeds Indoor Arena. Events start at 1 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday.
• Aug. 2 and 3 - team roping and barrel racing, indoor arena.
• Aug. 4, starting at 6 p.m. and concluding at 12 a.m. - Sneak Peek Day with free admission; carnival opens.
• Aug. 6, 7 and 8 - antique and classic tractor show.
• Aug. 7, 9 a.m. - draft horse and mule show, Budweiser Events Center, no fee. Draft horse pulling starts at 7:30 p.m.
• Aug. 7, 10 a.m. - fourth annual fiddle contest at the community stage.
• Aug. 8, 9 and 10, 7:30 p.m. - Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association action in the Budweiser Events Center. Tickets are $15 for all seats. Price includes gate admission to the fair for the date of the ticket.
• Aug. 8 - Military Day with free pancake breakfast beginning at 7 a.m. and cowboy church service at 9 a.m. Free admission for all military servicemen and servicewomen in uniform or those with military I.D. Lawn and garden tractor pull in the events center.
• Aug. 11, 4 p.m. - junior livestock sale at the indoor arena.

Entertainment

The fair will kick off its lengthy list of events with a classic rock concert on July 30 at the events center. Beginning at 7 p.m., the concert will feature classic rock stars Grand Funk Railroad and Blood, Sweat & Tears. Tickets are $25.

On Aug. 1 at 1 p.m. a wide array of both local and regional bands such as Kenny Cordova and the Olde Rock Band, Woody Procell and Snowy River Band, Bob Purcell and the Outriders, and Kelly Aspen will gather inside the events center for an all-day music festival concluding with a performance by Ty England. Tickets are $15.

On Aug. 6, country superstars' Mark Chesnutt and Jo Dee Messina take the stage at the events center to perform the last concert of this year's Larimer County Fair. Local country stars, The Darn Thirsty Cowboys, will open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25.

Crystal Lyons will lead the opening ceremonies for each rodeo performance.

Tickets for the fair concerts and the PRCA rodeo can be purchased by calling 877-544-TIXX, online at ComcastTix.com, Budweisereventscenter.com, or at Fort Fun in Fort Collins.

The county fair office can be reached at 619-4000. Detailed information about the fair also is available on the Internet at www.larimer.org/fair/rodeo.