Fair attendance up slightly

This cowboy didn't quite make it during the ICA rodeo at the county fair.

The animals were being loaded, exhibitors were collecting their items, the carnival had been torn down and vendors were heading out to their next venue as the 2014 Elmore County Fair and Rodeo came to a close Sunday morning.

Overall, this year's fair was a winner, according to Elmore County Fair and Rodeo Executive Director Rena Kerfoot. Combined, the fair and rodeo gates increased by nearly $1,000 over last year's event, indicating that attendance was up by 323 people, she said.

A few vendors backed out at the last minute and a carnival representative told Kerfoot that one of the company's trucks carrying rides had broken down. Kerfoot said she had about two weeks before the fair to try and secure more entertainment.

One vacancy was filled by "Zombie Acres.. The large enclosed game involved shooting paint guns at human zombies and was a big hit, Kerfoot said.

Caden Bowman, 11, who is a new transplant to Glenns Ferry, was enjoying the Bungee Jump -- another last-minute vendor added to the fair's venue. Bowman was most excited when the ride operator slung-shot him high into the air.

The Bull and Donkey Show also was a last-minute hire and popular with fairgoers, Kerfoot said. All three vendors plan to return next year.

Thursday's celebration of the Hispanic culture was a huge success, Kerfoot indicated. Hispanic dancers and musicians played to a packed crowd and the carnival was buzzing.

King Rodeo provided stock for this year's rodeo. Bronc riders, barrel racers, ropers, bull riders, bull-doggers and more performed to large audiences both Friday and Saturday evenings.

Colt Yeager, 17, of Weiser won Friday night's bull riding competition. Yeager began riding bulls at the age of 12 and has dreams of one day being a world champion. His Friday night ride atop "Razor" was "fun" and "wild," he said.

Open Class exhibits were down slightly this year, indicated Bev Lucia, superintendent of the Open Class Division.

With an impish grin Lucia said her job was to "tell people where to go and what to do."

As superintendent of open class exhibits she tells volunteers where to set up the various displays, from quilts to canned goods, photos to paintings.

Visitors who entered the exhibit building were welcomed by cool air flowing from a new HV/AC system. Improved insulation in the 4-H room also helped with climate control, Kerfoot said. The new system will allow year-round use of the building, which will generate more operating revenue for the fair, Kerfoot said.

The fair's 2014-15 budget is just under $100,000 -- no change from the previous year.

Money was not an issue for 4-H and Optimist Youth with livestock projects. Kerfoot said prices at Saturday's livestock auctions were "very good."

Kerfoot noted that 4-H and Optimist Youth do more than generate a little spending money for exhibitors. Their activities also prepare the adolescents for adulthood, teaching them budgeting skills, raising money for college, and motivating and direct ing them toward a positive future.

This was Kerfoot's fourth year as executive director of the Elmore County Fair and Rodeo. She has no intention of relinquishing that position any time soon, she said.

There are still a lot of goals she would like to reach -- improved electrical system for the midway to accommodate more vendors, upgrading the plumbing for bathrooms, and improvements to the beef show and staging area. The last project is slated to take place sometime this year.

Improvements have already been made during her tenure. A new small animal barn was built (insulation was added just before this year's fair), all new metal and wire sheep pens were constructed last year, new doors were installed on the exhibit building, new styes were constructed with the addition of a new roof, and a stage for performers was built.

"We're all here for the same reason. We're all here to promote the kids and to provide a safe environment," Kerfoot said of the Elmore County Fair Board.

Members of the board could be seen throughout the week, helping out in anyway possible. They were just a few of the many volunteers that helped make the fair possible.

"This fair doesn't happen without volunteers," Kerfoot said, adding that more are always needed and welcome.

The 2015 fair could be held one week later if Kerfoot is successful in engaging another carnival. She has contacted six companies and four have yet to return her calls. The later date also would allow a little extra time for produce to ripen.