Jefferson County’s “Fair of the Heart” will be fun for everyone — but it really helps to be a kid. For four days, there will be events, exhibits, and prizes sure to put smiles on their faces.
The festivities start Friday at 9 am with the kids horse show and rodeo. If you can’t wrangle up a horse to ride, come and watch the show for free. And don’t be late for the kids parade on Main Street. Kids in costume need to be lined up 10 minutes before noon. All participants will get a ribbon and a prize.
Make sure to drop off your kid’s coloring contest sheet before 5 pm Friday at the fairgrounds. Sheets can be picked up at local business or online at jeffersoncounty-mt.gov.
On Saturday, it’s time to dress up as this year’s favorite fruit: a pineapple! Design your pineapple costume any way you like: It can be an animal, an insect, or whatever your imagination comes up with. Make sure to have it entered by 9:30 am.
Meantime, there will be exhibits for art, photography, crafts, cooking, sewing, and canning, and much more. If your child’s entry doesn’t exactly fit one of the categories listed in the fair book, a new category will be made just for you. Every kid who enters an exhibit gets a ribbon, and cash prizes will be awarded for purple, heart, and best in show ribbons. Check out the fair book at jeffersoncounty-mt.gov for information on entry deadlines.
Then there’s the Best Rodeo Ever — Sunday’s stick horse rodeo. Kids age six and under will compete for ribbons, prizes, a stick horse, and the Paula Heide Memorial silver belt buckle. Make sure to sign up between 10:15 and 10:45 am to enter. The rodeo itself starts at 11 am.
The fun peaks at noon Sunday, with the Treasure Hunt in the Hay. Kids will dive into the pile of hay to win hundreds of prizes for free treats and more.
Make sure to grab some fair food, hop on the inflatable slide, and stop by Saturday night’s Barn Dance with the Insufficient Funds Band for a family-friendly party. And don’t forget to ride the Boulder River Carousel for just a quarter.
