™ ® September 2013
Volume 70, No. 8
“Fair Time”
by Dalene Hodnett, Director of Communications and Media Relations What do you get when you mix cotton candy, ferris wheels and sheep? Why the county fair of course. You know that you and your family can have a great time eating funnel cake, riding the Zipper and watching the rodeo, but do you know the history behind the fair? Most were established as a way for farmers and ranchers to sell their excess products after the harvest. Soon human nature kicked in and the sale became a contest as farmers and ranchers brought their blue-ribbon specimens to town to be judged. Animals were evaluated on their function - milk, meat or fiber. Crops were also judged on their fiber as well as their seed or fruit. Children began entering as FFA and 4-H members competing for prize money and scholarships. Today’s fairs highlight not just the crops and animals but also the latest harvest equipment, arts and crafts entries and of course a variety of carnival rides. County Farm Bureaus across the state have been busy hosting petting zoos and pancake dinners, building parade floats and promoting membership in Farm Bureau. Enjoy these photos of the activities they’ve been engaged in this busy fair season.
Torrance County FB’s float in the fair parade. Photo courtesy of Chad Smith.
Left: Albinita Romero works the Rio Arriba County FB booth at the county fair explaining the benefits of membership while touting county activities. Above: Gerald and Karen Boxberger answer ag questions at New Mexico Ag in the Classroom’s “My American Farm” kiosk at the Taos County Fair. Both photos courtesy of Traci Curry. September 2013
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