Come Visit The Fair! Here is a Run Down of the Events

Quay County Fair Starts Next Week

Volunteers have been working hard to prepare for the 2018 county fair which will be August 15 - 18.  The fair is four packed full days and for many of our 4-Hers and FFAers represents the completion of year-long projects.

Tuesday, August 14 involves pre-fair activities of moving out to the fair, setting up for those with animals and commercial booths.  The Home Arts Departments will be accepting entries from 5 to 7 pm and the Shepherd’s Lead participants will be practicing in the show ring.  Volunteers will be busy finishing all of the last minute details.

Wednesday is entry day and our youth are excited as they bring their entries hoping for the big prize.  All animals, exhibits and open class entries must be on the grounds and entered by noon.  Then our youth with Shepherd’s Lead animals and show pigs will be busy grooming their animals for the shows that evening, while the volunteers in the Northend will be working with judges to get the many entries judged and displayed.  The fair kicks off in the evening with the Shepherd’s Lead show at 5:15 p.m. and the Swine show around 6:30 pm.  The exhibit hall will open at 5:00 p.m. along with the Quay County 4-H Concession.

During the day Thursday, the youth with sheep and goats will be busy during the day preparing their animals for the shows that begin at 5:00 p.m. and then we will have a catch-it-heifer contest in the rodeo arena around 9:00 p.m.  During the Catch-it-Heifer contest youth will be trying to catch a calf, halter it, and drag it across the starting line.  Those who are successful will receive a calf to raise and show at the next fair.

Friday is a big day at the fair.  Because of its size, the rabbit show has been moved to Friday morning at 10:00 a.m.  The poultry show will begin at 1:00 pm.   With support from the community the building has had many repairs and now has new cages and hutches and air-conditioning.  This is our fastest growing department, so stop by and visit. 

Throughout the day, our youth will once again be busy preparing for the Friday evening shows and caring for their animals.  At 2:00 p.m. everyone is invited to join us for a watermelon feed with ice cold juicy watermelon!  The heifer and steer shows will begin at 4:30 p.m.  Following the steer show, the exhibitors will meet to find out who gets into the sale.

Saturday is family day at the fair.  Bring your family and spend the day with us.  There will be lots to do starting with the Horse Show at 7:00 am.  At 9:00 am we will have a livestock judging contest in the Southend of the barn.  Youth will be able to try their hand at being the judge as they place classes of animals.  4-H Council Officers will be hosting the Itty Bitty Rodeo at 11:00 and the Pet Parade at noon in the show arena.  These shows have new times to make it easier for families.  Quay County Farm Bureau will host a Horse Shoe Pitching Contest at the Pits North of the Travis Nelson Building at 1:00 pm.  At 1:30 pm, the Quay County 4-H Council will be hosting their annual scavenger hunt.  This is for youth of all ages and adults.  You will need a partner as you compete in teams of two and a phone or camera.

 

The high-light of the week for the animal exhibitors is the Junior Livestock Sale at 6:00 pm.  Prior to the sale the youth will have their pens cleaned and the animals spiffed up.  They will report at 2:30 ready to have their picture taken and then work at the buyer’s meal.  The fair ends at 9:00 pm and exhibits will be released after 9:00 pm.

The exhibit hall will be open each day from 9 am to 9 pm.  The 4-H Concession Stand will be open Thursday through Saturday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.  Wednesday, the concession will be open from 5:00 to 9:00 pm.  Be sure to visit the 40 vendors in the Exhibit Hall as they have many door prizes and giveaways along with some good bargains.  Each morning the youth and adults working in the barn will be treated to breakfast burritos prepared by the Methodist Parrish.

To add to the excitement we will be having a carnival with rides beginning each evening at 5:00 p.m.  Sun Valley Rides has been providing the carnival for us the past four years and they provide a nice atmosphere for your whole family to enjoy the rides.  The fair board has 500 pre-sale carnival tickets on sale now for $18.00.  These tickets are good for an all you can ride armband.  You must be 36” tall and not have any casts in order to receive your armband.  Once we sell out, we cannot get more, so get yours early.  Purchase yours at Tucumcari Ranch Supply, Chamber of Commerce, Tucumcari Federal Savings and Loan, and the Extension Office.

The Quay County Fair does not charge for parking or admission to the grounds or fair.  We also do not charge an entry fee in the Home Arts Departments and we pay premiums to the winners.  Anything that you have crafted in the past year is eligible to be entered.  Entries are limited to Quay County residents and surrounding areas.  Fair is not just for youth.  Adults are eligible to enter in all open classes too.  Pick up a fair book and see what you have made that could be entered.  Be sure to check out the baking department as we have added some new categories and have additional awards for yeast breads.

Follow the fair happenings on the “Quay County Fair” FaceBook page and the Quay County Extension Service webpage.  We will be posting each day.  Visit now to learn about the various entry options.  Come out to the fair many times and visit with your neighbors aa you watch our next leaders learn and grow into capable young men and women.

The Quay County Extension Service is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator.