It's fair time in Roosevelt County

PORTALES — The Roosevelt County Fair kicks off Tuesday for six days of family fun. But Fair Board President Wayne McAlister wants people to know this won’t be your grandfather’s county fair.

“This is not the same county fair it’s always been,” McAlister said. “We’ve put a lot of work into this fair and we’re changing some things up trying to make it more appealing to a broader set of people and we feel real good about the show that we’ve got coming.”

McAlister listed off a host of changes to the fair this year, including expanded band and entertainment options, the addition of barrel racing and team roping, a new show ring for livestock and a new carnival.

“We’re bringing in a bigger carnival that promises to reach a wider range of riders,” McAlister said. “It should be more appealing to the high school and college crowd.”

McAlister said that for the first time on Saturday night the fair will feature multiple bands performing at the same time, both on the slab and in the events arena.

“The biggest thing we’re trying to do is just expand our base,” McAlister said. “The county fair is always about the rural communities, but we’re trying to bring in some elements to make it appealing to the college, the air base and people who live in town to where it really is a family fun night for everybody no matter where you’re from or what your tastes are.”

Of course the 4-H and Future Farmers of America students will be present at the fair, showing their livestock and indoor projects like quilts, metal art and posters.

“It’s the culmination of what hard work these Roosevelt County 4-H and FFA kids have put in throughout the summer,” Roosevelt County 4-H Agent Ryan Craig said. “Each and every year kids that take this opportunity and run with it always gain a knowledge and gain a skill that maybe cannot be taught in the classroom.”

The 4-H students will experience some change as well; Craig said they will put on the Tuesday morning porkchop breakfast rather than hosting a concession stand this year.

“It’s one of those things that we believe we can raise funds for scholarships for these 4-H members. We can raise money for these kids to go on leadership activities that they may not get at the fair,” Craig said.

“So we want everybody to come out and support their local 4-H kids on Tuesday morning to where they can come out, have a porkchop, sit down, talk with friends and see some of the community that maybe they haven’t seen since last year at the fair.”

Ultimately, McAlister said he just wants people to have fun and enjoy the community atmosphere.

“The county fair kind of marks the end of summer and so we just want everybody to come out, have a good time and just be glad that they made the trip to the fair,” he said.