This year's Blaine County Fair at the Carey Fairgrounds has an exciting addition that will pay off for years to come. It's a new covered show arena completed in May by Peterson Construction of Twin Falls.
Already, several local events have benefited from its completion. This week, however, is the big week at the fair. The covered arena will host the 4-H animal shows, the box car drive-in movie, entertainment and the 4-H Market Animal Buyer's Luncheon on Saturday.
The 2007 Blaine County Fair's theme is "Showing Our 4-H Pride." Just getting ready for the Aug. 8-11 fair has been an example of the pride shown by local leaders and youth.
On Saturday, July 28, more than 60 4-H members, leaders and Blaine County Fair Board members arrived at the Carey Fairgrounds to prepare the new addition for county fair week.
Youngsters picked rock and hauled dirt to make the site safe and well groomed. Once the top layer had been prepared, Lawrence Edwards brought in a loader to move dirt and Jayne Bailey followed with a small disc to level and pack the surface.
Several youths remained behind to pick up newly revealed rock and to hand rake hard-to-reach areas. After several hours, a sprinkler was placed in the center to let the grass recover.
This past week, 4-H members cleaned and planted flowerbeds, finished record books and waited for the fair to begin.
Overseeing all the work is the Fair Board featuring April MacLeod, Lisa Niedrich, Becky Payne, Dick Simpson, Ivan Swaner and Polly Noe-Holland.
The Market Sale Committee has Kristy Molyneux, Rocky and Terri Sherbine, John Brooks, Thelma Cameron, Kari Johnson and Tracy Green.
Grand marshals of the 2007 county fair are Les and Thelma Cameron, married 27 years and the parents of four. Les and Thelma were born in Hailey and grew up in Bellevue.
Les, a 1965 Wood River High School graduate, owns and operates Wood River Welding in Bellevue with his brother, Ed Cameron. Thelma, a 1973 Wood River grad, has been a 4-H leader for over 18 years. Her parents Bill and Ila Cloughton helped start the county fair.
Highlights of fair week include the following events:
· Today, Wednesday, Aug. 8: Judging of all exhibits (fair buildings closed) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 4-H barbecue at 5 p.m., style review 6:30 p.m. and box car drive-in movie 9 p.m.
· Thursday, Aug. 9: Fair exhibits are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
· Friday, Aug. 10: Fair exhibits open to the public from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. "Around the Campfire," with Ivan Swaner at 2:30 p.m. Lawn mower tractor pull races at 5:30 p.m. Family barbecue with entertainment by "The County Express" band from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The Blaine County Little Kids Rodeo sponsored by the Carey Rodeo Association for youths ages 13-and-under starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the arena. Fees are $2 for each event. It's for county residents only.
Fun events for ages 8-and-under are sheep riding, goat tail tying (no horse required) and barrel racing. For the 9-11 and 12-13 age classes, there will be calf riding, goat tying (horse required) and barrel racing.
· Saturday, Aug. 11: Fair exhibits open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 4-H Market Animal Buyers Luncheon 12 noon and Market Animal Sale at 1:30 p.m.
The annual Blaine County Rodeo for county residents only is Saturday at 8 p.m. Entries will be taken by phone on Wednesday, Aug. 8 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. by secretary Kathy Whitworth (823-4499 or 420-2201) or Dawn Bennion (823-4721 or 720-4230).
Events are three-per-team wild cow race (saddle/rope required), wild cow milking for two-person teams (rope needed), heifer riding, calf roping, breakaway and team roping, ribbon roping and barrels.
Fair books are available at the Blaine County Cooperative Extension System Office, 302 First Ave. South, Hailey.
Courtesy photo--
Getting ready for this week?s Blaine County Fair in Carey are young fair ambassadors who cleaned and planted a flowerbed in front of the 4-H building last week. In front is Catrena Pepcorn. Back, from left, are Emily Andrews, Paige Koudelka, Glen Andrews, Jaret Koudelka, Salvador Ruiz, Fidel Ruiz, Shelby Hansen, Jayce Koudelka, Alec Alberdi and Austen Alberdi.
