Country fair takes us back in time

A rebranding the name, adding attractions and expanding the Ranch Rodeo and bull riding accentuate this year’s Churchill Country Fair and Rodeo, which begins Friday at the fairgrounds.

During previous summers, both the Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe Festival and the Country Fair competed against each other for family activities. The fair has been held in early August, which the Cantaloupe Festival has been an established event during the Labor Day weekend since the 1980s.

Now, in its sixth year, the Churchill Country Fair has come of age and looks and feels like an old-fashioned fair. It is seeking its own identity. While fair organizers have worked tirelessly on putting together a plethora of events for the fair, an expanded Ranch Rodeo fills a void for those hankering for some action in the arena. Scheduled events include steer stopping, barrel racing, bull and saddle bronc riding and some team roping. The board has launched an aggressive public relations campaign to draw people to Fallon this weekend as summer reaches its halfway point.

The fair board deserves the community’s thanks as this group of volunteers has spent hundreds of volunteer hours to make this weekend a travel in time.

The expanded rodeo is especially welcomed for this year’s fair. It hasn’t been too long ago when rodeo and Fallon were synonymous beginning with the high school rodeo in April, the Silver state International Rodeo and All-Indian Rodeo and Stampede in July and the Lions Junior Rodeo and Senior Pro Rodeo in September. With most of those rodeo gone from the fairgrounds, the Churchill Country Fair presents bull riding and ranch bronc riding featuring the Camp Pendleton Marines on Friday night.

The other ranch-hand rodeo vents during the weekend include team event such as roping, doctoring, tying and sorting ... to name a few.

Additionally, organizers have included events to give the country fair a true family atmosphere.

According to organizers, “the fair promotes our community’s rich cultural and agricultural heritage through shows, exhibits and hands-on participation. From educational interactive hands on science demonstrations and farming exhibits, the fair offers unique experiences for everyone. 

Among the exhibits are flowers and vegetables, homemade jellies and jams, hand-made quilts and farm equipment. Other exhibits include photography, crafts and hobbies, home furnishings and fine arts.

An authentic civil war re-enactment group will stage realistic battles wearing period costumes and weaponry. A dutch oven cook off invites participants to use locally grown beef and other ingredients to prepare delicious entrees.  

A carnival for kids of all ages has been added in addition to the Kiddie Zone that provides such fun experiences as a dunk tank and bounce house. Sack races and the like are being organized. 

Fair organizers have also included free music provided by popular local and regional bands.

Going into its sixth year, this fair will definitely give Churchill County residents some memories of what a family fair was and will be this week.

Editorials written by the LVN Editorial Board appear on Wednesdays.