Fair week events begin next weekend

Consider yourself a white hat? This year’s Crook County Fair invites you to test out your skills by “unmasking the outlaws, bandits and thieves and stealing the show” from July 24 to 31. Visitors and exhibitors alike can expect all the usual competition and entertainment throughout the week.

This year’s events begin a little earlier than fair week itself, however, with the Rodeo Royalty Banquet in Moorcroft next weekend on Friday, July 16, followed by the competition itself the next morning at 9 a.m.

Fair week itself kicks off on July 24 with the youth rodeo at 10 a.m., followed by the Bob Burke Memorial Drawpot Team Roping at 4 p.m. The ranch rodeo is scheduled for July 27 with the Calcutta beginning at 6 p.m., while the youth rough stock rodeo will begin at 5:30 p.m. on July 29.

This year’s parade, which will follow the outlaw theme of fair week, will take place on July 31 at 10 a.m. If you would like to participate, submit your entry by the end of the day on July 29 and line up at the corner of C&A Meats beginning at 8:30 a.m. with judging scheduled an hour later.

This year’s rodeo royalty will be crowned at the arena at 11:30 a.m.

Additional entertainment includes the kick-off and ice cream social event at 3:45 p.m. on July 27 and a free pancake breakfast cooked by Crook County’s elected officials on July 30 at 6:30 a.m. The Muley Fanatics will be hosting a family fun night at the rodeo grounds on July 30 starting at 5:30 p.m.

The fair contests will begin with the horse show on July 25 at 8 a.m., with the 4-H dog show the next morning at 9 a.m. Judging for FFA and open class static exhibits and fabric and fashion will occur on July 27, with the fashion revue at 3 p.m. in the shade structure.

On July 28, competitions include the poultry show at 8 a.m., rabbit show at noon, guinea pigs and pocket pets immediately afterwards and swine show at 5 p.m. On July 29, the dairy cattle and goat show is at 8 a.m. and the cat show at 3 p.m.

The beef show kicks off July 30 at 8 a.m., followed by the wool show at 1:30 p.m. On Saturday, July 31, the livestock sale is set to begin at 5 p.m. in the big barn.

Littler visitors to fair this year may enjoy Story Time with Miss Bonnie in the shade structure at 10 a.m. on July 28 and 29. Matt Henry, “Trained Human,” will be providing entertainment throughout both days, with comedy juggling and bubble making skills honed in performances across the world – including 8000 alone at Walt Disney World.

Visitors may also like to get up close and personal with some of the world’s most amazing predators on the same days. Raptor Project Inc of New York will bring the largest traveling tour group of raptors in the world.

Many of the birds have been donated as they could not be reintroduced to the wild and faced euthanization. Instead, these falcons, owls, eagles and more are tamed and trained to educate audiences across the nation.

As always, local anglers can test their skills at the fishing derby, running from July 29 to 31 with weigh-ins each day at 5 p.m. The annual bike relay will also be taking place again this year before the parade in the elementary parking lot at 8:30 a.m.

Enjoy activities at the hoop house with 4-H all day from July 28-31. The jump house will also be back during the week, from noon onwards.