Country Fair, Fallon Ranch Hand Rodeo highlight weekend fun

The Churchill Country Fair and Ranch Hand Rodeo is all about family fun, and it kicks off today with three days of events at the Churchill County Fairgrounds.

The fair, now in its seventh year, returns with more events that will be sure to entertain attendees of all ages, according to event chairperson Sue Frey. General admission to the fair and concerts is free.

“Our main mission for the fair has been to promote our agriculture heritage and to bring free entertainment to the county. When developing what the country fair should be we really thought about what old country fairs offered,” Frey said. “The fair has always been great family fun and we’ve always had a great turnout and we’re planning for another great one this year.”

The opening ceremony begins at 5 p.m. when Denise Taylor sings the national anthem. Among the opening-night activities will be a magic show, the Discover Science exhibit, the Kids Zone, the Localz and the Kyle Rothchild Band (a complete schedule is located inside this fair and rodeo wrap).

The Fallon Ranch Hand Rodeo, which has become a favorite among cowboys and cowgirls, is Saturday and Sunday, features competitors from Nevada and other states who will be present to show their rodeo abilities. Kids Goat Branding and Stock Dog Trials have been added to the lineup of events this year. The performances begin at 9 a.m. on each day.

A $5 spectator admission will be charged (children 10-and-under are free) for the Ranch Rodeo.

Frey said the much-enjoyed Battle Born Civil War Re-Enactors group returns for its second year on the Regional Park soccer fields on Saturday and Sunday, and the Dutch Oven cook-off starts Saturday at 10 a.m.

“This will be the second year for the Battle Born Re-enactors,” Frey said. “They put on a great re-enactment last year and we’re so glad they will be coming back this year. The individuals who perform the re-enactment are such history buffs and play their parts very well.”

Saturday the Department of Rock will be putting on a big show at 9 p.m., Frey said.

“We found some really good bands that will surely draw crowds to them ... some are local and some are from California,” Frey said. “I think people will enjoy them and have a great time. We’ll also have beer-tasting Saturday at 6:30 p.m. so the adults can enjoy a drink while they listen to the great music.”

A tribute to fallen cowboy Justin Edgemon, who was killed in an automobile accident in March, will take place Saturday night after the national anthem, said Richard Allegre, coordinator for the Ranch Hand Rodeo.

“I thought a tribute would be a good way to honor Justin,” Allegre said. “Justin’s wife, Janell, will lead his saddled-up horse around the arena and read a poem that is dedicated to Justin’s memory.”

Frey said the fair continues to grow every year and its success wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for the sponsors and volunteers.

“We have an incredible group of sponsors who are responsible for making the fair happen and without them we also wouldn’t be able to allow free admission,” Frey said. “We have more than 100 volunteers who help with vendors and exhibits, set up, break down and even help get participants checked in. The Navy has also been great with providing volunteers too.”

Frey said donations are welcome, which help keep the fair free for attendees.

“We’ll take any donation we can get,” Frey said. “We end up using every last penny that we receive from individuals and businesses to make sure the fair remains free. We really want a community event that pulls everyone together and this fair does just that. It’s a good feeling when you notice how happy and how much fun everyone is having.”

FAIR SCHEDULE

Friday Fair time

5-11 p.m.

Friday

All Day

Ranch Hand Rodeo

All Day

Carnival All Day

5:00 p.m. ~ 6:30 p.m.

Opening Ceremonies 

5:00 p.m. ~ 6:00 p.m.

Magician Close-Ups

5:30 p.m. ~ 11:00 p.m.

Discover Science Hands on Exhibit OPEN

6:00 p.m. ~ 8:00 p.m.

Kid Zone Open ~ Tentative Times

6:00 p.m. ~ 7:00 p.m.

Magic Show ~ Main Stage

7:00 p.m. ~ 9:00 p.m.

Kyle Rothchild Band~ Main Stage

9:00 p.m. ~11:00 p.m.

Localz  ~ Main Stage

Saturday Fair time

9:00 a.m. — Midnight

All Day

Ranch Hand Rodeo 

9:00 a.m.

Dutch Oven Cook Off Set Up~Encampment

9:30 a.m.

Dutch Oven Cook Off Cooks Meeting ~ Encampment

9:00 a.m.

Julian the Magician--wandering

10:00 a.m ~ 12:00 a.m. midnight

Carnival

10:00 a.m. ~ 12:00 a.m. midnight

Discover Science Hands on Exhibit OPEN

10:00 a.m. ~11:00 a.m.

Western Gun Fighters-West of Extension Office

11:00 a.m. ~ 12:00 p.m.

Magician Close-Up

11:00 a.m. ~ 8:00 p.m.

Kid Zone Open ~ Tentative Times

11:00 a.m. ~ Noon

CAPS Dog Show — Main Stage

Noon

Dutch Oven Cook-off Judging--

Multi-Purpose Building 

12:00 p.m. ~1:00 p.m.

Magic show ~ Main Stage

1:00 p.m. ~ 3:00 p.m.

4-H Fashion show

Cutest Cowgirl/Cowboy Contest — Main Stage

3:00 p.m. ~ 6:30 p.m.

Band set up and sound checks

4:00 p.m. ~ 5:00 p.m.

Battle Born Civil War Reenactment ~ Soccer Fields

5:00 p.m. ~ 5:30 p.m.

Magician Close-Up

6:30 p.m. ~ 8:30 p.m.

Beer Tasting ~ Pavilion

6:30 p.m. ~ 8:30 p.m.

Music by Kyle Rothchild ~ Main Stage

8:00 p.m. ~ 8:30 p.m.

Battle Born Civil War Re~Enactment ~ Soccer Fields

9:00 p.m. ~ Midnight

Department of Rock ~ Main Stage

Sunday Fair Time

9:00 a.m. ~ 4:00 p.m.

Ranch Hand Rodeo

9:00 a.m. ~ 3:00 p.m.

Carnival Open

9:00 a.m. ~ 3:00 p.m.

Discover Science Exhibit OPEN

9:00 a.m. ~ 10:00 a.m.

Western Gun Fighters-West of Extension Office

10:00 a.m. ~ 11:00 a.m.

Magic Show Close-Up

10:00 a.m. ~ 2:00 p.m.

Kid Zone Open ~ Tentative Times

11:00 a.m. ~ 12:00 p.m.

Magic Show ~ Main Stage

2:00 p.m. ~ 2:15 p.m.

Gettysburg Address ~ Soccer Field

2:15 p.m. ~ 3:00 p.m.

Battle Born Civil War Reenactment ~ Soccer Field

RANCH HAND RODEO

Friday

7:00 a.m.

Handler’s meeting of Working Stock Dogs

7:30 a.m.

Working Stock Dog Trials

2:00 p.m.

BREAK — Cafter Nursery Class

5:30 p.m. 

Opening Ceremonies 

Welcome: Jamie Lee

Flag Bearers: Emily Torvik and Julie Ikonen

National Anthem: Denise Taylor

6:00 p.m. 

Goat Branding — Main Arena

Working Ranch Horse — Green Arena

7:00 p.m.

Working Stock Dog Trials — Main Arena

Saturday

7:30 a.m.

Working Ranch Horse — Mandatory Team Meeting

8:30 a.m.

Team Roping, Section 1

Team Doctoring, Section 1

Team Sorting, Section 1

Team Tying, Section 1

Women’s Steer Stopping, Section 1

6:00 a.m.

Grand Entry

Emily Torvik and Julie Ikonen

6:10 a.m.

National Anthem

Denise Taylor

6:15 a.m.

Tribute to a Cowboy

Justin Edgemon

A Poem & Leading of Saddle Horse without a Rider

6:00 p.m.

Main Arena

Team Roping, Section 2

Team Branding

Women’s Steer Stopping, Section 2

Team Sorting, Section 2

Team Tying, Section 2

Team Doctoring, Section 2

Barrel Races — Green Arena

Sunday

7:00 a.m.

Cowboy Church

8:00 a.m. until finished

Team Branding, Section 1

Team Doctoring, Section 1

Team Sorting, Section 1

Team Roping, Section 1

Team Tying, Section 1

Women’s Steer Stopping, Section 1

30 minute break

Team Doctoring, Section 2

Team Roping, Section 2

Team Sorting, Section 2

Team Tying, Section 2

After the Rodeo

Working Stock Dog Finals

Awards Ceremony