For the week of July 30 - August 5, 2003

Blaine County Fair
next week in Carey

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By MATT FURBER
Express Staff Writer

Once again the Blaine County Fair is going to Carey for the annual celebration of livestock husbandry, produce, baked goods, sweets, flowers, handcrafts, hobbies, small antiques and of course horsemanship.

Family and others traditions common to 4-H competitions at a county fair give the event a country flair and an air of competition as judges hand out awards in all categories. All events are at the Blaine County Fairgrounds at Carey from Monday, Aug. 4, to Sunday, Aug. 10.

After open class exhibits on Monday, traditional events include an open Jamboree at the rodeo arena on Tuesday, and a two day 4-H horse show beginning on Wednesday. A 4-H Llama show runs on Thursday with team roping in the evening.

Friday things loosen up even more with an archery shoot, a family barbecue and a "little kids" rodeo.

Saturday there is a 4-H animal buyer’s luncheon at noon just before the animal sale beginning at 1:30 p.m. The week’s big rodeo event follows at 7:30 p.m.

New this year is "freestyle" reining, where equestrian entrants will be judged on their ability to demonstrate specific maneuvers on horseback using their own pattern, requiring a display of good horsemanship, and knowledge of their horses abilities.

There will also be a dance and Karaoke on Wednesday night. Thursday night the Kim Stocking band will be playing for no charge from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Another new event on Friday is called a Parent Trap, where parents will be judged showing off the animals of random children not necessarily those animals from their own families.

"The idea is to help parents get a better idea about what their children are doing,’ said 4-H coordinator Lisa Niedich at the Blaine County cooperative extension office in Hailey.

On Saturday there will also be a "Bottle Baby Brigade," which is a parade at 1:30 for children under eight years old, who will have a chance to march with a small animal being bottle fed.

Another unique event this year will be a Hay Quality Contest organized by University of Idaho extension educator, Ron Thaemert.

Hay entries will be judged for moisture content, protein levels and in appropriate categories for lack of weed content and if it is "horse hay" whether it is alfalfa free. For those under eight there will be a search for a needle in a haystack.

And for those who are feeling especially creative with straw a scarecrow contest on Tuesday carries a winner-takes-all $50 first prize.

 

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