It hardly seems possible that it’s that time of year again — but it is. The Chaffee County Fair and Rodeo is only weeks away, running from Thursday, July 21 through Sunday, July 31.
The county fair and rodeo is an annual marker stretching back 100 years or more across rural America and here in Chaffee County it is a beloved tradition. This year, after two years of COVID-19 adjustments — the fair is more or less back to normal.
For 4-H kids, this is the crowning achievement of their year’s project work, showing their rabbits or sheep, hanging out with their friends in the grandstands, making sure their cattle look “just-so” for the judging. Then there are the pie-baking and mutton busting, the cattle roping, bronc-riding, barrel-racing, and crowning of fair royalty; all of it is tradition and just plain fun whether you’re watching it — or participating.
To whet your appetite for this long-time county tradition, this is the first published Chaffee County Fair Schedule of the 2022 activities day-by-day:
THURSDAY, JULY 21
6:30 p.m. 4-H Fashion Review
FRIDAY, JULY 22
3:00 p.m. Gates Open
5:00 p.m. Muttin’ Bustin’
5:45 p.m. Steer Riding
7:00 p.m. CPRA Rodeo & Mini Broncs (slack to follow)
9:00 p.m. Atomic Fire Balls
SATURDAY, JULY 23
8:00 a.m. 4-H Indoor Judging (closed to public)
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Receive open class
3:00 p.m. Gates Open
5:00 p.m. Muttin’ Bustin’
5:45 p.m. Steer Riding
7:00 p.m. CPRA Rodeo & Mini Broncs (royalty crowning)
9:00 p.m. Jayme Hayes Band
MONDAY, JULY 25
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Receive open class perishables (horticulture & floriculture)
9:00 a.m. 4-H Horse Show
10:00 a.m. Open Class Judging (closed to public)
5:00 p.m. 4-H Dog Show
TUESDAY, JULY 26
9:00 a.m. Trail Competition
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 4-H & Open Class Rabbit Check-In
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27
8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 4-H Market Livestock Weigh-In
9:00 a.m. Exhibit Hall (open to public)
2:00 p.m. 4-H & Open Rabbit Judging
5:00 p.m. Open Equine Gymkhana
THURSDAY, JULY 28 (seniors day)
8:00 a.m. 4-H Swine Show
11:30 a.m. 4-H Goat Show & Sheep Show
12:30 p.m. Open Peewee Show
4:00 p.m. Rocky Mtn. Oyster Fry
5:00 p.m. 4-H Beef Show
7:00 p.m. Open Beef & Pen of 3 Show
FRIDAY, JULY 29
9:00 a.m. 4-H Round Robin
11:00 a.m. Adult Round Robin
1:30 p.m. Garden Tractor Race
6:30 p.m. 4-H Awards
7:00 p.m. Junior Market Livestock Sale
9:00 p.m. Silver Sage Band
SATURDAY, JULY 30 (kids fun day)
9:00 a.m. Stock Dog Demonstration
10:00 a.m. Horseshoe Pitching (Single & Doubles)
10:00 a.m. Sawdust Pile w/$$$ Coins
10:30 a.m. Catch a Pig Contest (20 entries/age 4 & 5), Catch a Pig Contest (20 entries/age 6 & 7) and
Catch a Pig Contest (20 entries/age 8 – 10)
11:00 a.m. Antique Tractor Pull
11:00 a.m. Queen For a Day
- Rodeo Clown For a Day
- Stick Horse Rodeo
- Frozen T-Shirt Contest
- Corn Challenge
- Marble Challenge
12:00 p.m. Garden Tractor Race
12:00 p.m. Antique Engine Demonstration Tack Sale
2:00 p.m. Hot Dog Eating Contest
2:00 p.m. Queen’s Barrel Race
6:30 p.m. Grand Entry Mountain States Ranch Rodeo & Calcutta
9:00 p.m. Ahgadaze
SUNDAY, JULY 31
10:00 a.m. Cowboy Church Service (grandstands)
10:00 a.m. Antique Tractor, Pull Archery Contest, and Melon Eating Contest
11:30 a.m. Catch a Pig Contest (20 entries/age 4 & 5),Catch a Pig Contest (20 entries/age 6 & 7) and
Catch a Pig Contest (20 entries/age 8 – 10)
11:45 a.m. Corn Hole (north building)
12:00 p.m. Antique Engine Demonstration
1:00 p.m. Circle 3 Gymkhana
3:30 p.m. 4-H & Open Class Exhibit Release; 4-H Animal Exhibit Release
5:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Closes (all exhibits must be picked up)
Featured image: Sam (age 8) Robert (age 9) and sister Lily Inge (age six-and-a-half) of Salida, having fun at the Chaffee County Fair in 2019. Mom Jill Inge says the kids look forward to the fair all year, and she always takes the family’s “calendar picture” at the fair. Photo by Jan Wondra
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