"Farming for the Future" is the theme of the 2008 Blaine County Fair that runs today, Wednesday through Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Blaine County Fairgrounds in Carey.
Grand marshals are Lawrence and Joyce Edwards of Carey, owners and operators of Sagebrush Belgians for the last 18 years. They also received the 2007 Distinguished Service Award at the district and state level for their dedication to 4-H.
This week's county fair focuses on the many 4-H and Open Class projects displayed for the public Thursday through Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. and continuing through the day. Judging occurs today.
Projects like fruits and vegetables, flowers, canning, crafts and hobbies, and small antiques are displayed. So are 4-H beef, swine, sheep and horse projects in Senior (ages 13-18), Intermediate (12-14), Junior (8-11) and Cloverbud (5-7) age classes.
A big highlight is Saturday's 4-H Market Animal Buyers Luncheon and Market Animal Sale. With beef weighing 1,000 pounds, custom buyers receive up to 23 retail cut pounds in porterhouse, 37 pounds of sirloin steak, 50 pounds of round steak, 65 of chuck roast and 108 pounds of hamburger.
Evening activities include the 4-H barbecue and style revue today, Wednesday; the motorized rodeo Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; the Blaine County Little Kids' Rodeo Friday at 7:30 p.m.; and the annual Blaine County Rodeo Saturday at 8 p.m.
New this year is a food drive for local food banks. The goal is to fill a trailer with non-perishable food items and watch it overflow. All items help Blaine County holiday baskets and local food pantries.
The youth group ENTHUSE (enthusiastic youth leadership for a promising tomorrow) is sponsoring the food drive as a service project, and ENTHUSE is also having a dance and campfire after the Saturday night rodeo, about 9:30 p.m.
Fair board members are April MacLeod, Lisa Niedrich, Becky Payne, Dick Simpson, Ivan Swaner, Polly Noe-Holland and Laurie Fiscus. The Market Sale Committee features Kristy Molyneux, Kenny and Jayne Bailey, Thelma Cameron and Tracy Green.
The fair board expressed its appreciation to the Carey LDS Stake, the 4-H program and Valley Floor and Paint for improvements to the fairgrounds.
Ambassadors are Misha McGonigal, Jared Koudelka, Salvador Ruiz, Ashley Harshbarger, Jayce Koudelka, Austen Alberdi, Catrena Pepcorn, Angela Ellsworth, Kayla Bailey, Kelsey Green, Emily Andrews, Paige Koudelka, Glen Andrews, Shelby Hansen, Fidel Ruiz and Alec Alberdi.
Fair booklets can be obtained at the Blaine County Extension Office (788-5585) located kitty-corner from the County Courthouse Annex on First Avenue in Hailey.
