PHOTOS: Scenes from the 109th Middle Park Fair and Rodeo
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
Middle Park Fair and Rodeo officially kicked off in July. The celebration, one of Grand County’s western highlights, finished its 109th year at the Middle Park fairgrounds this weekend.
Team roping and horse loping
On Tuesday, Aug. 5, ropers and their horses headed to the arena for the Fair and Rodeo’s team roping event. Riders working together as headers and heelers displayed their skills. The teams — including kids learning the ropes and seasoned cowboys — lassoed steers.
These maneuvers are a legacy of the American West, where wranglers and their horses had work together to lasso cattle. These skills, impressive for spectators watching from the stands, help create a bond between the horse and rider as they rope in the arena.
Welcome to the goat show
During the fair, 4-H members from both Grand and Summit County show off the hard work they’ve put into their projects, including livestock such as goats. During the Aug. 5 meat goat show, 4-H and Future Farmers of America members entered the arena with poise, walking and setting up their goats for the judge. Kids of all ages participated in the show.
Members spend all year with their goats, training them, feeding them, then grooming them to get ready for show. While raising animals takes lots of effort, the rewards include community with fellow 4-H and FFA club members, bonding with their animals — and perhaps a purple ribbon in the show ring.
Much to celebrate at Middle Park Fairgrounds
The event ran until Aug. 10, offering a celebration of the area’s western heritage and a chance for students to show off their projects. These shows reflect the 4-H and FFA’ers diverse interests and skills, from horsemanship, to rabbit raising, to baking. The Junior Livestock Sale on Aug. 9 gave buyers a chance to help 4-H’ers purchase their animals for next year.
The youngest cowgirls and cowboys competed in the Junior Rodeo on Aug. 7, and a CPRA rodeo on Aug. 10 was the cumulation of the celebration. Although animals and their owners were the highlight of the show, other events included: a car show; pie, cookie and salsa cookoffs; horseshoe tournament; rodeo royalty pageant; Western BBQ; plus, plenty of live music and kids’ games.
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From left: Queen contestant, Lauren Pierce, with Fair and Rodeo Princess, Eleanor Sanders and Rayne Pryor, winning first with her goat in the her weight class for intermediate division.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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Ryder Pryor braces her goat for the judge.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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Ryder Pryor (left) and Carly Wood brace their goats for the judge.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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Sego Krempin during the goat show on Aug. 5
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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The goat show on Aug. 5.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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The goat show on Aug. 5
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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Gage Mulder and Markey Hren with their goats.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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Lyndee Thomson helps show another participant’s goat.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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Team roping on Aug. 5.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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Team roping on Aug. 5.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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Team roping on Aug. 5.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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Team roping on Aug. 5.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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Team roping on Aug. 5.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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