\u201cUnited We Celebrate\u201d is the theme for the 121st annual El Paso County Fair, which kicked off Saturday at the Calhan fairgrounds.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re having a lot of people coming in dressed for the theme,\u201d said manager Theresa Odello. \u201cThe whole El Paso County community really seems to be taking the USA 250\/Colorado 150 celebration to heart, and they\u2019re rolling with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The mood was festive and energetic on Sunday as families roamed the fairgrounds, largely unaffected by a high temperature of 88 degrees.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople who have lived here a long time know how to prepare for the heat,\u201d said County Fair board member Grant Harris, who has been involved with the fair since the 1980s. \u201cAnd the kids enjoy the fair so much, they don\u2019t care about the heat.\u201d<\/p>\n
From the rides, to the games, to the food booths and livestock shows, kids seemed to ricochet around the grounds, trailed by smiling parents.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeeing the kids enjoy themselves is the best part,\u201d said Chuck Schwartz, who also attended the Pikes Peak or Bust Parade on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201c(The fair) is a fun slice of Americana,\u201d said Robin Schwartz, Chuck\u2019s wife. \u201cThere\u2019s so much to see here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fair officials hope to draw about 25,000 people over the course of the eight-day celebration and based on Saturday\u2019s numbers, they are off to a good start, Odello said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYesterday we had about 4,300 people,\u201d she said. \u201cSo we think we\u2019ll reach our goal, but with the weather, you never know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sunday\u2019s events included a car show, eating contests, a Colorado Pro Rodeo Association-sanctioned rodeo competition and mutton-busting, which is always a fair favorite.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a really fun event to watch,\u201d Odello said. \u201cIt\u2019s a way to get kids interested in rodeo at an early age.\u201d<\/p>\n
The El Paso County Fair Queen competition, which includes a series of interviews, speeches and a horsemanship exhibition, concluded on Sunday, with Kadence Baker emerging as the fair queen for 2027.<\/p>\n
Fair admission is $8 for adults, $4 for youths ages 3-12 and $6 for seniors (55 and up) except for Monday, which is free for all attendees, and Wednesday, which is \u201cDollar Day,\u201d Odello said.<\/p>\n
The fair\u2019s most popular event is Saturday\u2019s demolition derby, a metal-crunching showdown that continues until there\u2019s only one car left running.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s our biggest event, and it will sell out,\u201d Odello said. \u201cIt\u2019s always fun to see cars crash into one another until that can\u2019t go any more. I would advise people to get their tickets early.\u201d<\/p>\n
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