2009 Elmore County Fair opens next week

The Elmore County Fair will kick off next week, July 12-18, featuring the return of Paradise Amusements from last year and the return of the ICA/IMPRA rodeo to the same week as the fair.

The fair is held at the fairgrounds in Glenns Ferry. Due to the economy, fair officials have decided to drop the $3 parking fee, charging only the $3 per person fee to enter the event.

The theme of this year's fair is "104 Years of Cowbells and Carousels." The first county fair was held in 1905.

"People often don't realize we have our own fair, that it's not just a carnival," said new Fair Director Shae Burns. "It's the biggest contest in Elmore County," with events open for everyone, from contests for the best pie or quilt, to the biggest vegetables grown so far this season.

The rodeo this year will not feature a queen contest, as fair officials were unable to find anyone to run it.

The fair is being held early this year in order to be able to schedule the carnival.

In addition to regular food venddors in the midway area, the event will feature a craft fair as well.

Most of the events for the first three days of the fair, from July 12-14, are for fair participants only. The main events for the general public begin on Wednesday, July 15.

Fair activity highlights, not counting a large number of lesser events, include:

Sunday, July 12 -- 4-H Llama Show at 4 p.m., followed by the 4-H Horse Show at 6 p.m.

Monday, July 13 -- 4-H Horse Show at 9 a.m.

Registration for Open Class events will be held from 6-9 p.m.

Tuesday, July 14 -- Registration for Open Class continues from 8-11 a.m.

The 4-H Lamb Show begins at 8:30 a.m. and the Optimist Youth Organization Team Sorting event begins at 9 a.m.

Weigh-ins for most of the animal events are held throughout he day.

Following a noon luncheon for the judges, Open Class judging begins at 1:30 p.m.

At 2 p.m. the Optimist Youth Organization Horse Show begins, followed by the 4-H Working Horse Ranch event at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, July 15 -- The 4-H and Optimist Beef Showmanship contests begin at 9 a.m.

The opening of the exhibit building at noon is the point at which most activities for the general public begin. The exhibit building will be open until 10 p.m.

At 1 p.m. an Open Tractor Driving contest, sponsored by 4-H, begins.

Paradise Amusements Carnival opens at 4 p.m. and will run until 10 p.m.

Thursday, July 16 -- The 4-H and Optimist Swine Show begins at 9 a.m., along with the 4-H Dog Showmanship and Obedience events at the same time.

The exhibit building will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Optimist Youth Organization Goat Show starts at 4 p.m.

Paradise Amusements Carnival opens at 4 p.m.

The All Youth Junior Rodeo begins at 6:30 p.m.

Friday, July 17 -- The 4-H Dairy Show begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the Optimist Youth Organization Lamb Show and 4-H Dog Agility Show at 9 a.m.

The exhibit building will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Paradise Amusements Carnival opens at 4 p.m. The main rodeo begins at 6 p.m.

Dancing on the midway, to the music of Groovin DJ, will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Saturday, July 18 -- The University of Idaho 4-H Livestock Sale begins at 9 a.m., followed by the Optimist Youth Organization Livestock Sale at 11:30 a.m.

The exhibit building will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The carnival will open at noon.

The second day of the rodeo begins at 7 p.m.

Dancing on the midway, to the music of Groovin DJ, will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight.