Brito, Reyes named fair grand marshals

Thursday, July 15, 2004
Pictured above, from left: front, Crystal and Raul Reyes, and Debbie and Mel Brito; back row, fair board members Darlene Gianelli, Mike Mitchell, Chairman Earl Gardner and fair director Cathy Whylie-Hill.

The Elmore County Fair Board has selected Debbie Brito and Raul Reyes as grand marshals of this year's Elmore County Fair.

The fair will be held at the county fairgrounds in Glenns Ferry (just off I-84, exit 121) July 26-31 although the first activity actually begins July 17 with the rodeo queen contest.

The theme for this year's fair is "Elmore County Fair and Rodeo and Fiesta," and will honor the area's Hispanic community. The grand marshals were selected by nominations from the community for two oustanding Hispanic leaders.

Brito came to Mountain Home in 1973 from Salinas, Calif., with her migrant family, working in the fields in the summer and potato harvest in the fall.

She graduated from Mountain Home High School in 1983 and attended Boise State University.

She has been employed by the City of Mountain Home Parks and Recreation Department since 1980.

She was one of the founding members of the Elmore County Hispanic Organization in 1989. She has been with the organization continuously and was appointed president in 2001 for a four-year term.

She has been married to Melesio Brito for 15 years and has two children; Bianca, 14, and Mel Jr., 12. They reside in Mountain Home.

Raul Reyes was born in Weslaco, Texas. He has lived in the county since 1964 and has been employed in law enforcement for the past 17 years. He has worked with the Elmore County Sheriffs Office since 2000.

Raul is currently employed as Sergeant of the Sheriff's sub-station in Glenns Ferry, serving the Hammett, Glenns Ferry and King Hill area.

Raul was the founder of the Neighborhood Watch Program and the Citizens on Patrol in the Glenns Ferry area. He is active in and supports the reading mentoring program in the Glenns Ferry Elementary School.

He is an advocate for the local Hispanic population, and a member of the VFW Post #3646.

Raul and Crystal Schroeder Reyes have been married for 27 years and have four grown children and three grandchildren. Raul and Crystal reside in Mountain Home.

Fair events actually begin this Saturday with the queen contest, beginning with a horsemanship competition starting at 9 a.m. at the fairgrounds.

The main fair week events begin Monday, July 26, with the 4-H Horse Show, beginning at 8 a.m.

The cost of admission to the grounds is $2 per person (six and under are free). There is no parking fee.

Registration also begins Monday from 6-9 p.m. for open class exhibits. Open class registration continues on Tuesday from 8-11 a.m. Judging will begin Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. following the annual judges luncheon.

The Exhibit Building will open Wednesday, July 28, at noon, and will be open the rest of the fair, Thursday through Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m.

The Royal West carnival will open at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and at noon on Saturday.

Tickets are now on sale for the carnival, which is bringing all new rides to the fair this year. "They'll be completely different from the ones you've seen in previous years," said fair director Kathy Hill.

Advance tickets are $13 for an all-day pass. They can be purchased at the gate for $17. Advance tickets are available at D&B Supply and Paul's Market in Mountain Home, or in Glenns Ferry at the Corner Market, The Stop, Southside Market, or Hometown Hardware.

For the first time, a concert will be held Wednesday night at the fairgrounds, beginning at 8 p.m. The group "Twisted Texas" will perform.

Although the first few days of the fair are busy, especially for the 4-H and Optimist Ag Youth Program youth, who will be taking part in judging contests through the first three days of the fair, the main events for most people kick into high gear on Thursday.

Thursday is alcohol-free family day at the fair. Activities begin at 5 p.m. with the Little Miss Elmore County Fair Pageant. At 8 p.m. the Hispanic band "Solaris" will perform.

The Junior Rodeo will be held at the rodeo grounds, beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday. The cost for adults is $2 and children six and under are admitted free.

Friday hypnotist Arthur Wayne will perform on the midway, beginning at 6 p.m., and the ICA-sanctioned rodeo begins two nights of shows at 8 p.m.

The queen and her court will be announced and crowned during the rodeo that night. The cost is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children, and children under age six are admitted free.

The Jeff Palmer Band will perform on the midway beginning at 9 p.m.

Saturday begins with the annual 4-H livestock sale, beginning at 9 a.m. The Optimist youth livestock sale will follow within the hour after the conclusion of the 4-H sale.

The carnival will open at noon, the hypnotist begins about 6 p.m., the rodeo begins at 8 p.m., the queen will be crowned at intermission, and the Jeff Palmer Band will perform on the midway beginning at 9 p.m.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: