Every summer, the Garfield County Fair and Rodeo kicks off with a familiar sound: the voice of Ella Olson singing the national anthem. Since she was 9 years old, Olson has been the fair’s musical ambassador, transforming a routine ceremony into a moment of local pride. Now a junior at Rifle High School, Olson continues to inspire and entertain, proving that sometimes the biggest stars come from the smallest towns.

Olson’s journey into singing started at an early age.

“I started singing when I was about 5 or 6 years old,” Olson said. “I started with Showtime Performing here in Rifle, and quickly fell in love with it.”

The early experience with Showtime helped Olson develop her talent and overcome stage fright while also playing a significant role in developing her singing career. 

“Showtime is a little group that these parents started doing. It was these three sisters that started it, and all their kids sang in it too,” Olson explained. This community group gave many local kids, including Olson, the opportunity to experience the spotlight. 

Apart from singing, Olson is deeply involved in 4-H and sports, extending her experiences at the fair and rodeo far beyond singing.

“I was going from working with my animals and cleaning their pens to going and singing,” she said. “It is a really cool opportunity and everyone is so sweet and supportive and that helps me be able to sing there.”

Her competitive spirit shines in her achievements. Her time at the Garfield County Fair earned her achievements including reserve grand champion last year for lambs and grand champion in pigs during the poultry show. This year, she earned reserve grand champion for lamb while also excelling in marksmanship, winning grand champion for 22 scope and reserve grand champion in air rifle.

“It’s definitely fun to be able to compete against your friends and see how their animals turn out during the fair,” Olson said. “I always look forward to singing the national anthem, and it’s just fun to be there and represent our community and our country.”

Despite her busy schedule, Olson continues to enjoy singing at various events. She has sung the national anthem at school events like Veterans Day ceremonies. Her passion for singing and her involvement in the community make her a beloved figure at the Garfield County Fair and Rodeo.

This year, Olson once again graced the stage with her rendition of the national anthem, a tradition that began when she was just a young girl, and one that will resonate with her forever.

“Singing and performing at the fair has been a huge memory of my childhood,” Olson said. “Being able to have the opportunity to do this every year has been so much fun. It is something that I look forward to every time.”