Parents and grandparents, it’s time to ready your kids’ exhibits for the Jefferson County Fair. Every exhibit gets a ribbon and there are cash prizes for purple, heart and best in show ribbons.
This year’s fair events and contests include:
- Chickens, art, photography, crafts, cooking, sewing, canning: you name it, we have a category for it or will make one up. See the fair book for entry ideas. You can enter no matter where you live and for free.
- The kids’ horse show and rodeo, which starts at 9 a.m. Aug. 23. Due to limited arena space, only Jefferson County residents are eligible to enter. There is no cost to spectate.
- The kids’ parade, which starts at noon Aug. 23. Kids dressed in costume will line up 10 minutes before noon, walk down Main Street and get a prize and a ribbon. (This is a fun, easy way to be a part of the fair and your kids will love it.)
- The coloring contest. Entries are due by 5 p.m. Aug. 23. Pick up coloring contest sheets in local businesses and in the fair book at jeffersoncounty-mt.gov. The pineapple contest, for which kids can create out of a pineapple an animal, insect or whatever their imagination devises. Entries are due by 10 a.m. Aug. 24.
- The stick horse rodeo, which starts at 11 a.m. on Aug. 25. Kids six and under compete for ribbons, prizes, a stick horse and the Paula Heide Memorial silver belt buckle. Sign up between 10:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. that morning.
- The “Treasure Hunt in the Hay,” where hundreds of prizes are hidden under a pile of hay. Kids dive in for free treats and special prizes at noon Aug. 25.
Large inflatable slides and climbers are open and free for kids on Aug. 24 and Aug. 25. Saturday night’s family-friendly barn dance with the Insufficient Funds Band costs just $2 to attend. Ride the Boulder River Carousel for a quarter, watch the Toni Person puppet show, enjoy delicious fair food, see 4-H animals and hear live music. The Jefferson County Fair and Rodeo is guaranteed to end summer vacation with a smile.
You can find out how to enter the fair and view an events schedule in the fair book, which can be found at local businesses and online at jeffersoncounty-mt.gov.
Terry Minow is chair of the Jefferson County fair board.
