Fun-filled fair week starts Saturday

Washakie County Fair was first held in Worland from September 1-3, 1938. Starting Saturday, July 22 with an 8 a.m. horse show, it will now celebrate its 85th year.

“Realizing the importance of the educational value of fairs throughout the United States and increased interest in livestock, agriculture, women’s work club organizations etc., resulting largely in keen competition and annual demonstrations at fairs, the county of Washakie has appropriated the sum of $500 for the fair for the year of 1938, to be paid on livestock, agricultural products, poultry and women’s work,” the first premium booklet read.

Nowadays the budget has grown, alongside the events offered. This year’s showmanship participants will compete for a first-place premium of $15, with open and youth classes receiving $6 for first prize.

“All livestock numbers are up,” reported Washakie County UW Extension Administrative Assistant Erica Reasoner. “We have many more local producers in the area, providing a better opportunity for 4-H and FFA members to purchase livestock locally and participate. The price of beef is also up which could be a contributing factor. Overall 4-H participation has increased, and we have lots of new members choosing livestock projects.”

For the first time, the horse show will continue on Monday at 6 p.m. for cow classes. The swine show and 4-H dog show are scheduled for Tuesday, with goat, sheep and cat shows on Wednesday. Thursday will see the rabbit, poultry and beef shows. The 4-H and FFA Round Robin shows will take place on Friday alongside Bred and Fed competitions. The Junior Livestock Sale and Strut Your Mutt competition will round things off on Saturday, July 29.

New this year is “Over the Hill Showmanship” following each youth show before open class. Anyone over 21 that is not a current 4-H or FFA member can be nominated to compete in showing horse, swine, goats, sheep and beef for a small entry fee. The nominee may opt out through a buyout, and all proceeds go to support 4-H Livestock and Horse Judging teams’ travel expenses.

As of Monday, a rodeo contract between Washakie County Fair Board and Cassidy Griemsman had yet to be approved by County Attorney Tony Barton, requiring that a scope of service be added to the document. Fair Board President Jeff Lapp predicted that changes would be made by July 19 and the agreement finalized soon after.

The Kids Rodeo will kick off on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., with mutton busting and stick horse riding for younger kids available alongside steer riding, barrel racing and the like for more experienced rodeo riders. The Fair Rodeo begins Friday at 7 p.m., with dally ribbon roping as a crowd-pleasing event among other classics.

Deana Carter, the singer-songwriter of the hit “Strawberry Wine,” will headline on July 29, with tickets available for purchase from washakiecountyfair.com or at the gates. One hundred and eighty-nine tickets had been sold as of Monday. Local band Rattlesnake Ridge will open for the country music star. Liam and Layne Jordan of Hyattville will perform Monday, and Big Praise on Wednesday on the free stage. On Thursday, Pretty Punchy – The Klemm Family will hit the grass stage with Rigby Summer and the One Night Band on the grass stage on Friday.

The Fair Parade, organized by the Worland-Ten Sleep Chamber of Commerce and funded by the Washakie County Fair Board, will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 29. Spectators can catch the festivities on Big Horn Avenue from 20th Street to Railway Avenue. Crazy Days will follow the parade in downtown Worland and Ten Sleep until 5 p.m.

Amongst other family activities, free face painting will be available Tuesday through Saturday from 5-9 p.m. in the concessions area. A Youth Water Balloon event will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday in the show ring. As of Monday, nine vendors were signed up for concessions alongside booths including the USDA Farm Service Agency, approved at Monday’s meeting, Elks Club and Washakie Hospital Foundation.

Fair books are available at Washakie County Extension Office and the Fair Office, with additional schedule flyers available at local retailers. A fair schedule is also available on pages B7 of this issue of Northern Wyoming News. The Fair Office will open for the entire week on Monday, July 24 at 8 a.m. It will also be open on Saturday, July 22.