Yuma County, Colorado: County Fair

Since 1915, Yuma County has gained the reputation over a wide area as having one of the finest County Fairs. One answer can be given for this success and that is the spirit of close cooperation, participation, volunteerism and pride. The Yuma County Fair provides our county with an opportunity to unite and share in the fruits of our labor, our friendship and our community.

From the competition to the grandstand shows; the rodeo to the parade -- let us remember that we are one county. We are neighbors, friends, teachers, clergymen, doctors, farmers, ranchers and business persons who strive to continue the excellence in Yuma County. Yuma County can be proud of its people and accomplishments! Let's enjoy these days of fellowship, friendly competition and fun!

Yuma County Board of Commissioners
Dean Wingfield	Robin Wiley	Trent Bushner
Yuma County Fair Board
Ed Berry	Craig Mergelman	Harold Blackham
Justin Blach	Pat Dugan	Teri Mekelburg
Kim Latoski	Greg Leonhardt	Ronald Merrifield

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View the Grandstand Seating Layout Here.

Tickets for the 2009 Grandstand Show and PRCA Rodeo will go on sale in June of 2009. Ticket information may be received by calling the Yuma County Administrative Office at 970-332-5796.

Jack Ingram 2009 Grandstand Show
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Click here for information on Jack Ingram.
Admission prices will be announced. Please check back later.

2009 PRCA Rodeo - Dodge Series Rodeo
Admission prices will be announced. Please check back later.

NIGHT SHOW ENTERTAINMENT
Tickets for the 2009 Grandstand Show and PRCA Rodeo will go on sale in June 2009. Ticket information may be received by calling the Yuma County Administrative Office at 970-332-5796.

Ticket Overview
Prices will be announced soon. Return to Top

2009 Royalty
Emily Pletcher, Queen
Kaytlyn Doke, Lady in Waiting

2008 Royalty
Hannah Fernandez, Queen
Emily Pletcher, Lady in Waiting

2007 Royalty
Kaci Brandner, Queen
Hannah Fernandez, Lady in Waiting

2006 Royalty
Amanda Wiltfang - Queen
Kaci Brandner - Lady in Waiting

2005 Royalty
Tiffany Minton - Queen
Amanda Wiltfang - Lady in Waiting

YUMA COUNTY FAIR QUEEN AND LADY IN WAITING
The Yuma County Fair Queen and Lady In Waiting are selected at the Yuma County Fair. This event is sponsored by the Yuma County Fair Board and the Yuma County Cattleman's Association.

Only one horse may be used during the tryout. The Lady in Waiting will be judged 40% on horsemanship with 20% on required 1 to 2 minute impromptu speech. 4-H Horse Rules will be used in judging the horsemanship part of the contest. Poise and personality will be 40% of the contest. There will be a panel of judges making the final decision. She must be at least 15 years of age, but no older than 20 years on contest day. She must also be a resident of Yuma County. She will be unmarried, having never been married or a single parent. If the Queen or Lady in Waiting becomes married during her reign she will relinquish her crown and the alternate will move up. If a girl should have to give up her crown she is expected to return all financial assistance and gifts she has received. She must have access to a horse and appropriate tack. Blue jeans, western long sleeved white shirt and hat are required during the Horsemanship tryouts.

The Queen and Lady in Waiting will be representing Yuma County and are expected to attain high moral conduct at all times, being ladies and examples for Yuma County. The Queen committee serves as sponsors for the Queen and Lady in Waiting. There are general duties of the queen and lady in waiting along with attending required events. A limited funding source is available to assist with expenses, under the guidance of the Queen Committee. Contact the Yuma County Extension Office for the most current fair book for additional information relating to the Fair Queen and Lady in Waiting.

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2009 THEME: Celebrate our Communities

Entries are open to Yuma County and trade area residents. The Fair Parade Committee is requiring all entries (except horses and children's division), who wish to be judged for a prize or trophy, to pre-register. Prize money will be awarded to the winners.

The categories are as follows:

ADULT GROUP: (Must pre-register) civic clubs, church and social groups and individuals.
First Prize: $200.00
Second Prize: $150.00
Third Prize: $100.00
YOUTH GROUP: (Must pre-register) 4-H, FHA, FFA, church groups, Scouts, other youth organizations and individuals.
First Prize: $200.00
Second Prize: $150.00
Third Prize: $100.00
COMMERCIAL GROUP: Must pre-register.
First Prize: $150.00
Second Prize: $100.00
Third Prize: $50.00
SWEEPSTAKES: Will be selected from all floats entered.
Prize is $250.00.
CHILDREN'S DIVISION: (on foot, tricycles, bicycles and battery operated vehicles):
Children 5 and under:
First: $20
Second: $16
Third: $12
Fourth:- $8
Fifth: $4
Children 6 and over:
First: $20
Second: $16
Third: $12
Fourth: $8
Fifth - $4
Children wanting to be judged must be at the Bank of Colorado parking lot by 9:30 a.m. and will start marching at 10:00.
HORSE DIVISION: Unload in football field parking lot or on 10th and Ash. Gather at the south end of Main Street by the Yuma High School fountain.
POLITICAL AND ANTIQUE CAR DIVISION: Gather on 9th Avenue between Albany and Buffalo Street.

All floats will be judged prior to the parade at 8:30 a.m. If you wish to be considered for a cash prize you must be in line at 8:30 a.m. and pre-registered before the deadline.

Questions may be referred to the Fair Parade Committee:
Chair Beth Saxton (970-848-2155) or Co-Chair Teri Mekelburg (970-848-0520)

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General Information | Junior Livestock | Educational Booths

General Information
The Yuma County Fair contains many contests such as showmanship, Feeding, and Carcass. There are many youth and adult categories for entering livestock and home economics project exhibits. Contact the Extension Office for the most recent Fair Book which contains all information relating to the Yuma County Fair.

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JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SALE RULES
Sale Order - Rabbits, Poultry, Dairy, Swine, Goats, Beef, Sheep

The sale will start at 7:00 p.m. Monday in the hog and sheep showing.
Sale Order:
1. Grand Champion Market Animal
2. Reserve Grand Champion Market Animal
3. Grand Champion Feeding Contest
4. Reserve Grand Champion Feeding Contest
5. Heavy, Medium and Light Weight Division Champions
6. Heavy, Medium and Light Weight Division Reserve Champions
7. Champion Market Heifer (beef only)
8. Reserve Champion Market Heifer (beef only)
9. Champion Showmanship
10. Reserve Champion Showmanship
11. First place class winners
  The Fair Management will establish the sale order of the fair.
The number of livestock in the sale per individual will be limited to one entry. Species include poultry, rabbits, beef, sheep, swine, goat, and dairy heifer. Dairy heifer should be a heavy springer (showing udder development or lactating).
No livestock will be sold that is not shown in one of the market classes, except for dairy.

A Buyer's Guide To Yuma County Fair Junior Livestock Auction
The Yuma County Fair Junior Livestock Auction provides a market for the livestock projects shown during the fair. The Junior members and the Yuma County Fair Board wish to recognize and thank past year's buyers. They also wish to thank Ranchland Livestock Auction and the many other individuals who generously contribute to the yearly success of this event.

We invite your participation in the sale. If you have any questions or need assistance, the sale crew and superintendents will be glad to help you.

General Sale Information:
All animals, even though sold, shall remain the responsibility of the junior exhibitor until a marketable carcass is hung or buyer takes possession.

A Base Price Value has been established for each animal by either a live bid submitted from a packer or through an ESTIMATED, current, market value as deemed equitable by the Yuma County Fair Board.

Each animal sold and going to a packing plant will stand on its own merit as established by grading and health standards at that packing plant.

How to Buy an Animal
Animals will be sold on a total dollars per head basis.
Bidding will begin at the Base Price Value shown on the sale sheets for each animal.
Animals consigned to the auction may be handled in one of two ways:

The buyer elects to pay the difference between the Base Price Value and top bid. The buyer pays only this amount. The exhibitor will retain animal ownership.
The buyer who purchases animals for personal or business use will simply pay the total amount bid at the auction. The Fair Board will coordinate delivery of the buyers' animals to the packer of choice.

Buyers: Please make settlement at the Fair Office after the sale.
Consignors: Please check at the Fair office following the sale to determine the final destination of your sale animal. All market animals going through the auction will be shipped to commercial slaughter unless other instructions are given by the buyer or exhibitors at the Fair office by Monday noon.

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Educational Booths and Displays
Groups and organizations are encouraged to exhibit at the Yuma County Fair. Space is available for educational and/or accomplishment displays to any Yuma County organization. If group is large and a significant amount of space is needed, please contact a member of the Fair Board, the Extension Office or Fair Manager.

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Superintendent: Jim Pagel

All purses and added entry fee will be divided between top three finishers on a 50, 30 and 20 percent basis. All judges' and superintendent's decisions are final and no appeal from these decisions can be made.

Official photos will become property of the management to be used by judges only. Entries will be taken from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. the evening preceding the race. No horse will be allowed to run with less than 110 lbs. weight in any race longer than 440 yards. No entrance fees will be refunded on scratches under any circumstances. Four horses must enter and three run to make a race. Each horse must run under colors. Racing superintendent reserves the right to change any race to accommodate the horses available. Superintendent will schedule the races for each day and announce purses and entry fees at time of entering horses for the races.

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Key Fair Operations Contacts:
Kenny Mitchell	970-848-5528	Fair Grounds Caretaker
Tracy Lungwitz	970-848-2842	Fair Manager
Kerry Weed	970-332-5683	Rodeo
Jim Pagel	970-848-5240	Horse Racing
Beth Saxton	970-848-2155	Parade
General Information:
Golden Plains Extension Office	970-332-4151	4-H and Event Information
Yuma County Administration	970-332-5796	Ticket Order and General Information

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FRIDAY, JULY 24:
	Record books due in Extension Office for all Livestock and Small Animals. Livestock and Small Animal pre-entry cards due in the Extension Office. Includes Junior and Open Class livestock and small animals.
TUESDAY, JULY 28:
	10:00 a.m.	4-H Fashion Review Practice
	1:00 p.m.	4-H Fashion Review Judging
	7:00 p.m.	4-H Public Fashion Review - Wray High School
THURSDAY, JULY 30:
	9:00 a.m.	4-H Interview Judging all Home Ec, General, Natural Resource, Jr. Leadership and Creative Cooks Contest. Fairgrounds, Yuma.
FRIDAY, JULY 31:
	10:00 a.m.	4-H and Open Dog Obedience Show - Fairgrounds
	5:00 p.m.	Fair Queen Judging
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1:
	8:00 a.m.	Jr. and Open Horse Show (Jr. pre-entries required. Open pre-entries encouraged.) Open entries close at 7:30 a.m.
		Show starts at 8:00 a.m.
	11:00 a.m.	Weigh Market Swine
	5:00 p.m.	Open Class Swine Judging Junior Market Swine Showmanship Junior Market Swine Judging
	5:30 p.m.	Ranch Rodeo Calcutta
	6:00 p.m.	Ranch Rodeo
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2:
	7:00 a.m.	Cowboy Church Services (Grandstands)
	8:00 a.m.	Gymkhana Events for Junior Horse Exhibitors only
	10:00 a.m.	Dairy Goat Judging (Hog & Sheep showring) Dairy Cattle Judging (Dairy Cattle Judging will begin at the conclusion of the Dairy Goat Judging)
	10:00 a.m.	Weigh Junior Market Sheep Weigh Junior Market Goats
	12:00 noon	Weigh Market Beef and brand inspection
	1:00 p.m.	Open Class Sheep Judging Junior Sheep Showmanship Junior Breeding and Market Sheep Judging Open Market Goat Judging Junior Market Goat Showmanship Junior Breeding Market Goat and Market Goat Judging
	1:00-3:00 p.m.	Crops & Garden Entry
	1:00-4:00 p.m.	Open Class Home Ec Exhibit Entry
	1:00-4:00 p.m.	Rabbit and Poultry Entry
	4:00 p.m.	Home Grown Beef Class Junior Beef Showmanship
	7:00 p.m.	Yuma County Ministerial Association Program (Grandstand) Nashville recording artist Stevie McGee
	MONDAY, AUGUST 3:
	6:30-8:00 a.m.	Junior Exhibitor & Leader breakfast courtesy of Yuma County Farm Bureau
	7:30-9:00 a.m.	Open Class Home Ec Exhibit Entry
	8:00 a.m.	Junior Market Beef Judging Junior Breeding Beef Judging
	9:00 a.m.	Poultry Judging and Farm Mechanics Judging
	9:30 a.m.	Open Class Home Economics Judging
	10:00 a.m.	Crops and Garden Judging
	10:30 a.m.	Junior Bucket Calf Interviews Begin (show will begin at 2:00 p.m. and will be held in the hog & sheep showring)
	11:00 a.m.	Rabbit Judging
	2:00 p.m.	Junior Bucket Calf Show (hog & sheep showring). (Open class baby calves will follow bucket calves in showring)
	4:00 p.m.	Pictures for Home Ec & General Projects (in General Projects Building) Grand Champion Trophy and Award Recipients only.
	4:30 p.m.	Pictures for Livestock, Plant Science and Small Animals. (east end of beef barn) Grand Champion Trophy Recipients only. (Hogs in hog & sheep showring) (Showmanship pictures are not taken)
	6:50 p.m.	Recognition of Meritorious Individual and Business, and Outstanding 4-H Homemakers - sale ring
	7:00 p.m.	Jr. Livestock Sale (Consignments must be submitted to the Extension fair office as stated on each species express consignment form)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4:
	10:00 a.m.	Parade, Downtown Yuma. Theme: "Celebrate Our Communities"
	11:30 a.m.	Barbeque - $5.00/person (Junior Exhibitors, 4-H Leaders, Ag Education Instructors and Superintendents free - must have a token. Tokens available in the fair office.)
	12:00 noon	Yuma County only Cow Horse Race
	12:30 p.m.	Horse Racing (PRCA Rodeo Ticket Required for Admission)
	1:30 p.m.	PRCA Rodeo - Dodge Series Rodeo - Admission $8.00
	4:00 p.m.	Round Robin Showmanship Judging
	8:00 p.m.	"Jack Ingram" Grandstand Show. Admission $20.00
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5:
	7:30 a.m.	PRCA Rodeo Slack
	8:00 - 10:00 a.m.	"Senior Day" Continental Breakfast and Activities
	9:00 a.m.	Youth Tractor Pedal Pull (front of grandstand)
	11:30 a.m.	Junior County Events. (Entry deadline along with fees for Junior County Events: Sunday of fair - 5:00 p.m.)
	12:30 p.m.	Horse Racing
	1:30 p.m.	Yuma County Fair Queen Announcement
	1:30 p.m.	Senior County Events (Entry deadline along with fees for Senior County Events: Saturday of fair - 5:00 p.m.)
	3:00-4:00 p.m.	All exhibits released
	7:30 p.m.	PRCA Rodeo - Dodge Series Rodeo - Admission $8.00

Both PRCA Rodeo performances and night show ticket package available for $30.00. A night show ticket and Wednesday PRCA Rodeo Package is available for $25.00. For tickets or for ticket information, call the Yuma County Commissioners' Office at 970-332-5796.

*Home Ec and General 4-H Projects will be on display for public viewing from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Sunday; 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. on Monday; 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Tuesday and 10:00 a.m. - 3 p.m. Wednesday.

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