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Mesa County Fair celebrates 126 years and counting

Caitlin Row
crow@gjfreepress.com
Courtesy Photo
Staff Photo |

2013 Mesa County Fair Schedule

Friday, July 12

8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open Class non-perishable entries received at the Community Building

Saturday, July 13

7:30 a.m. 4-H Rifle, Pistol, Muzzleload Fair Shoot - Orchard Mesa Gun Club

8 a.m. 4-H Flying Rocket Contest - Grandstands Parking Lot

8 a.m. 4-H Horse Show—Covered Arena

8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open Class non-perishable entries received at the Community Building

Sunday, July 14

7:30 a.m. 4-H Outdoor Skills Shoot – Orchard Mesa Gun Club

8 a.m. 4-H Ranch Rodeo—Covered Arena

5 p.m. 4-H Set up BBQ – Gazebo- Mesa County 4-H Foundation

Monday, July 15

8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open Class non-perishable entries received at the Community Building

TUESDAY JULY 16, 2013 – “KICK OFF THE FAIR!”

9 a.m. 4-H/FFA Goat Show - Show Ring

11 a.m. FAIR & EXHIBITS OPEN

1 p.m. Wolves of the World – Expo Park

2 p.m. Destinee – Celebration Stage

2 p.m. Hula Hoop Contest - Gazebo

2 p.m. Carnival Opens

4 p.m. Landslide Band – Celebration Stage

4 p.m. Enstrom’s Ice Cream Eating Contest—Gazebo

5 p.m. Wolves of the World – Expo Park

5 p.m. JR’s Carriage Service Wagon Ride

6 p.m. Vintage Voltage Band – Celebration Stage

6 p.m. 4-H/FFA Llama Show—Show Ring

7 p.m. 4-H Cat and Small Animal Show – Small Animal Arena

8 p.m. Charlie Jenkins – Celebration Stage – Kick off the Fair

8 p.m. Wolves of the World – Expo Park

8 p.m. Centennial Band - Grandstands (Free with Gate Admission)

8:45 p.m. Defy Gravity - Grandstands (Free with Gate Admission)

9 p.m. Fireworks Extravaganza - Grandstands (Free with Gate Admission)

(Weather permitting)

9 p.m. Community & Jockey Club Buildings Close

10 p.m. Fair Closes

WEDNESDAY JULY 17, 2013 “COLLIN RAYE DAY”

9 a.m. 4-H/FFA Sheep Show—Show Ring

9 a.m. 4-H Dog Show – Big Top Expo Tent

11 p.m. FAIR & EXHIBITS OPEN

1 p.m. Wolves of the World – Expo Park

2 p.m. Destinee— Celebration Stage

2 p.m. Carnival Opens

2 p.m. Watermelon Eating Contest—Gazebo

2:30 p.m.Bob Alster – Celebration Stage

4 p.m. Roundabout – Celebration Stage

4 p.m. Antique Tractor Pull - Grandstands (Free with Gate Admission)

4 p.m. Wienerschnitzel Hot Dog Eating Contest - Gazebo

5 p.m. JR’s Carriage Service Wagon Rides

5 p.m. Wolves of the World – Expo Park

5 p.m. 4-H/FFA Grand Champion Sheep Selection - Show Ring

5 p.m. Indoor Parade of Champions - Gazebo

6 p.m. Terry Nash – Cowboy Poet—Celebration Stage

7 p.m. Collin Raye in Concert - Celebration Stage (free with Gate Admission)

7 p.m. Team Roping - Grandstands – Free with Gate Admission

8 p.m. Wolves of the World – Expo Park

9 p.m. Community Building and Jockey Club Close

10 p.m. Fair Closes

THURSDAY JULY 18, 2013 – “BLUEGRASS MUSIC NIGHT”

8 a.m. 4-H/FFA Swine Show - Pavilion Show Ring

9 a.m. 4-H/FFA Rabbit Show - Small Animal Arena

11 a.m. FAIR & EXHIBITS OPEN

1 p.m. Wolves of the World – Expo Park

2 p.m. Carnival Opens - Buddy Day $30 for 2 people (Sold only from 5—8 p.m.)

2 p.m. Water Balloon Toss Contest - Gazebo

2 p.m. Destinee – Celebration Stage

3 p.m. Stirrup Some Fun Magic Show -Big Top Expo Tent

3:30 p.m. Doc Ezee Medicine Show - Big Top Expo Tent

4 p.m. Domino’s Pizza Eating Contest - Gazebo

4 p.m. Wooden Nickel Band – Celebration Stage

5 p.m. Wolves of the World – Expo Park

5 p.m. Flat Top Reed Band - Celebration Stage

6 p.m. 4-H Dog Agility Demo—Expo Park

6 p.m. 4-H Little Squealers Show – Pavilion Show Ring

6:30 p.m. Stirrup Some Fun Magic Show - Big Top Expo Tent

6 p.m. Little Squealers Show- Pavilion Show Ring

7 p.m. Stray Grass Band – Celebration Stage

7 p.m. 4-H/FFA Grand Champion Swine Selection - Pavilion Show Ring

7:30 p.m. PBR Professional Bull Ride – Grandstands

(Ticket required – includes general admission)

8 p.m. Wolves of the World – Expo Park near Gazebo

8 p.m. Doc Ezee Medicine Show – Big Top Expo Tent

8:30 p.m. Ms. Emily Band – Celebration Stage

10 p.m. Fair Closes

FRIDAY JULY 19, 2013 – “ROCK-N-REGGAE NIGHT”

8 a.m. 4-H/FFA Poultry Show - Small Animal Ring

9 a.m. 4-H/FFA Beef Show - Show Ring

11 a.m. FAIR & EXHIBITS OPEN

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 4-H Performing Arts Festival - Celebration Stage

1 p.m. Wolves of the World – Expo Park

1 p.m. Stirrup Some Fun Magic Show - Big Top Expo Tent

1:30 p.m. Doc Ezee Medicine Show - Big Top Expo Tent

2 p.m. Destinee – Celebration Stage

2 p.m. Impact Promotions Frozen T-Shirt Contest - Gazebo

3 p.m. Stirrup Some Fun Magic Show - Big Top Expo Tent

3:30 p.m. Doc Ezee Medicine Show - Big Top Expo Tent

4 p.m. Exit 42 Band - Celebration Stage

4 p.m. Enstrom Ice Cream Eating Contest - Gazebo

4 p.m. 4-H Bucket Calf Show - Show Ring

4 p.m. Interactive Demonstrations Closes

5 p.m. Wolves of the World – Expo Park

5:30 p.m. Kyle Groves – Big Top Expo Tent

6 p.m. Defy Gravity - Expo Park

6 p.m. Catch-A-Heifer Contest - Warm up Ring

6 p.m. Jack & Jill Band – Celebration Stage

6 p.m. Magician Dave Wallen - Strolling Act

6 p.m. Mutton Bustin’ - sign up at Mesa County Fairgrounds Office

6:30 p.m. Mesa County Cattlewomen’s BBQ – Shucking corn - Gazebo

6:30 p.m. 4-H/FFA Round Robin Showmanship (Llama, Poultry, Rabbit)

7:30 p.m. Doc Ezee Medicine Show - Big Top Expo Tent

7 p.m. 4-H Livestock Parade of Champions - Show Ring

7 p.m. Working Ranch Rodeo - Grandstands (Free with Gate Admission)

8 p.m. Pineapple Crackers Band - Celebration Stage

8 p.m. Wolves of the World – Expo Park

9 p.m. Community and Jockey Club Buildings Close

11 p.m. Fair Closes

SATURDAY JULY 20, 2013 – “COUNTRY ROCKIN NIGHT”

9 a.m. 4-H/FFA Large Animal Round Robin Showmanship

10 a.m. FAIR & EXHIBITS OPEN

11 a.m. Carnival Opens

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mesa County Cattlewomen’s BBQ – Big Top Expo Tent

12 p.m. Pet Rock Decorating Contest - Gazebo

12 p.m. Stirrup Some Fun Magic Show - Celebration Stage

12:30 p.m. Doc Ezee Medicine Show - Celebration Stage

1 p.m. 4-H/ FFA Junior Livestock Sale – Show Ring

1 p.m. Wolves of the World – Expo Park

1 p.m. Destinee – Celebration Stage

1:30 p.m. Terry Nash – Cowboy Poet- Celebration Stage

1 p.m. 4-H/FFA Junior Livestock Auction & Sale - Show Ring

2 p.m. Influx Band - Celebration Stage

2 p.m. Minute to Win It Contest – Gazebo

3 p.m. Defy Gravity - Expo Park

3:30 p.m. Kyle Groves - Big Top Expo Tent

4 p.m. Interactive Demonstrations Closes

4 p.m. Ram Band – Celebration Stage

5 p.m. JR’s Carriage Service Wagon Rides

5 p.m. Wolves of the World – Expo Park

5 p.m. Jalapeno Eating Contest - Gazebo

5:30 p.m. Doc Ezee Medicine Show - Big Top Expo Tent

6 p.m. Russ Chapman Band – Celebration Stage

6 p.m. Magician Dave Wallen - Strolling Act

7 p.m. Demolition Derby Grandstands (Ticket Required)

7 p.m. Kyle Groves – Big Top Expo Tent

7:30 p.m. David Starr Band- Celebration Stage

8 p.m. Wolves of the World – Expo Park

9 p.m. Community Building and Jockey Club Close

11 p.m. Fair Closes

NOTE: Times, dates and events are subject to change.

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SOURCE: Mesa County Fair

Entering its 126th year, Mesa County Fair attracts all ages — from the old-time rancher to young kids in 4-H and teens there to hang at the carnival — there’s truly an activity or booth for every taste. The fair is set to run Tuesday, July 16, through Saturday, July 20, at Mesa County Fairgrounds, 2785 Highway 50.

“The agricultural component is really the heart of the fair,” Fairgrounds Manager Jo Carole Haxel said, “but we want to make the fair a fair for everybody in Mesa County. Even if you’re not there for livestock, there will be something there for you.”

According to Haxel, the annual carnival is a huge draw, plus there are grandstand shows every night, live music at two stages, a demolition derby Saturday, July 20, and fireworks (weather permitting) on opening night (Tuesday, July 16). The Centennial Band will perform before the fireworks at 8 p.m. Tuesday, with an aerial performance by Defy Gravity following the band at 8:45 p.m.



“We put more focus into music with lots of local and regional acts and bigger names,” Haxel added.

Another new exhibit is “Wolves of the World,” in which rescued animals are part of an educational exhibit with demonstrations.



Contests, a variety of demos, and kids activities are also a huge component of the five-day event. And all the livestock shows are well attended, with the livestock auction attracting the largest showing on Saturday, July 20.

“There’s lots of great support from the community for that,” Haxel said. “It’s a really big deal for kids.”

Wine from a pre-fair Local Winemaker’s Competition, where judges recently picked the top vintages in a variety of categories, will additionally be served at the fair.

“All commercial winemakers in Colorado were invited to compete in the competition,” a recent Mesa County Fair news release said. “Each entry was required to have 75 percent of its ingredients grown in Mesa County.”

This year, Grand Junction’s own Whitewater Hill Winery won the double-gold for its 2011 “Ethereal” blend.

And to be environmentally mindful, Mesa County Fair teamed up with the Drought Response Information Project (DRIP) and the Join the Flock Campaign to hand out free water and inexpensive water bottles every day between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

“We are also handing out hundreds of pink flamingos,” Ute Water Conservancy and DRIP Spokesman Joe Burtard said. “The idea behind the water bottles and free water is to cut down on the waste and keep people hydrated. Mesa County Fair will be selling the water bottles at a really low price. The bottles are sponsored by several local companies, so it truly is a community effort.”

Tickets to Mesa County Fair are currently for sale online. Advance purchase of tickets is suggested to save a few dollars. A one-day ticket is $6. A Fair Week Pass for an adult is $20 at the gate. The pre-sale price is $15.

“It’s a really traditional, fun fair,” Haxel said.

For expanded ticket information and more, visit http://www.mesacountyfair.com.


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