Join in the fun at a rural Nevada county fair
County fairs are anticipated annual events in several of Nevada’s rural counties, providing a break in the routine for farmers and ranchers as harvest season approaches.
These events emphasize agriculture, animal husbandry and the country way of life, while adding special events such as stock shows, rodeos and races (on just about anything with wheels or four legs).
County fairs are usually held at fairgrounds built for the purpose but used for many other community events. They include barns, corrals and stables for livestock, indoor spaces for exhibits, arenas for livestock shows, auctions and rodeo events, as well as open space for carnivals, vendors and parking. Expect to pay general admission fees, fees for featured events and occasionally fees for parking.
Travelers through Nevada should be mindful of fair dates, since lodgings will be scarce during these popular events. Travelers might want to schedule extra time to join in the fun.
Experiences may be new to those from urban areas. Rural county fairs have a different flavor from the huge state fairs that are much more commercialized. In small towns they are places to meet friends, show off skills, display projects and enjoy carnival rides, cotton candy and corn dogs.
Touring the outbuildings, visitors watch demonstrations of skills such as sheep shearing or horseshoeing and admire exhibits of farm and ranch equipment. They explore displays of farm and garden produce and find examples of home crafts and farm kitchen delectables such as cakes, pies, jams and jellies.
The variety and quality of livestock shown at rural county fairs set them apart. Tour the barns, pens and stables to view cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, goats, llamas and other barnyard favorites. You’ll never see greater variety in smaller animals and poultry than at a good county fair. Proud owners keep them well-groomed and tended for showing and judging.
In Nevada, each county fair will offer different main events. These may include sanctioned professional rodeos, horse races, formal horse shows, stock dog competitions, truck or tractor pulls, and other contests.
Nevada fairs may reflect the influence of cultures including Native American, Hispanic and Basque with events that include ethnic music, dances and foods.
Several Nevada counties plan to hold fairs in coming weeks.
Tickets for some larger fairs in towns such as Ely, Elko and Winnemucca will go on sale late this month or in early August. Room reservations should be made well in advance for these events.
The Lincoln County Fair and Rodeo will kick off the 2016 fair season Aug. 10 to 13 at the fairgrounds in Panaca, just east of U.S. Highway 93 about 170 miles from Las Vegas.
The Eureka County Fair will be in the town of Eureka on U.S. Highway 50 from Aug. 11 to 14.
The White Pine County Fair and Horse Races will draw crowds to Ely from Aug. 19 to 21. Stock dog competitions are scheduled in advance of the fair on Aug. 18.
This is the 96th year for the Elko County Fair. It will run back-to-back weekends starting Aug. 26. The Elko fair includes horse racing, a stock horse show and the Nevada Nations Indian Relay Races on the first weekend.
The Tri-County Fair in Winnemucca, Sept. 1 to 4, includes the oldest continuous rodeo in Nevada, marking 95 years of traditional rodeo events, plus a Western art show, pig wrestling and a truck pull.
Fallon’s annual Cantaloupe Festival is a well-attended harvest event set for Sept. 2 to 4 at the fairgrounds along U.S. Highway 95.
Margo Bartlett Pesek’s Trip of the Week column appears on Sundays.
