Roosevelt County Fair kicking off

PORTALES - A week later than usual, but no less anticipated, the Roosevelt County Fair kicks off this week with carnival rides, livestock shows, antique tractors, cowboy polo and more.

"We're expecting it to be a little bit bigger this year," Fair Board President Wayne McAlister said. "We moved the date a week later than normal and we think it'll mean cooler weather and all the kids will be settled into their school routines by then."

McAlister said there are a few differences this year. Fiesta Night will be on Tuesday after poor Saturday attendance last year and Armband Night will extend Tuesday to Thursday night.

"Things are in good shape, though we're in uncharted territory with the week we're running this year," said Patrick Kircher, the county program director. "We're still doing a lot of the things we've always been doing, so we anticipate a pretty good turnout."

The fair runs Tuesday to Saturday, but the grounds open Monday to accept and judge exhibits and entries into this year's contests while merchants set up their booths.

Daily admission fees are $6 for adults from Tuesday to Thursday, then $8 on Friday and Saturday. Entry for ages 4-17 will be $4, with kids under 4 getting in free.

Things kick off Tuesday morning with the annual 4-H Pork Chop Breakfast in the Jake Lopez Building starting at 6 a.m. at $10 a plate. All proceeds go to the 4-H program. The Home Arts Building, Merchants Building, and Youth Building open at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

This year's big attractions are the Antique Tractor Show in conjunction with Pioneer Night and a Cowboy Polo Tournament. The carnival opens Tuesday night.

The tractor show will take place in the pavilion on Thursday starting at 8 a.m. Tractors will be judged in two categories: Best in Show and Most Original. From 7-9 p.m. there will be tractor games at the outdoor arena with three events: Barrel Push, Slowest Tractor and Balance Beam.

The Cowboy Polo Tournament will have teams of three compete on horseback Friday night in the outdoor arena. Entry is $25 per person and $75 for a three-man team. Admission is $3 with kids 10 and under getting in free.

There will be live music each night, with Joe Trevino on Tuesday, Bakersfield Twang on Wednesday, Tylor Brandon on Thursday and then opening for Randall King on Friday and wrapping up with The Delk Band on Saturday.

The usual staples will be returning as well, with the home arts, youth, and livestock shows running all week. The Junior Livestock Sale takes place Friday night and things wrap up Saturday with Kid's Day starting at 9 a.m., featuring a variety of kid-friendly events that include a pet show and turtle racing.

After the crowds clear, cleanup begins Sunday, but due to the Labor Day weekend, indoor projects won't be released to their owners until Sept. 3 from 4-6 p.m.