Despite hot weather, crowds at fair described as good

Another Elmore County Fair and Rodeo has passed and despite toasty temperatures, the annual event went well, said Elmore County Fair Board Executive Director Cathy Wyllie.

4-H and Optimist activities consumed much of the day's activities for participating youths from Monday through Friday, culminating with the 4-H and Optimist livestock sales on Saturday.

The sales, as well as the Buyers Breakfast (sponsored by the 4-H) and Optimist Buyers Luncheon, were well attended, Wyllie said.

The fair, carnival and exhibit building opened to the general public on Wednesday.

"I appreciate the dedication and support of Elmore County residents. Not only for youth participation and their parents, but folks that come out to support them, because it was hot," said Wyllie. "Without their continued support and participation there would be no fair."

Temperatures that rose well above 100 degrees kept attendance low during the first two days after the fair opened to the general public, but both Friday and Saturday night attendance was good, Wyllie said.

Both nights of the rodeo were well attended, and enthusiastic spectators cheered on cowboys and cowgirls who pitted beast against man in a number of popular events. Slash-T provided stock for the ICA/IMPCA sanctioned rodeo. Thursday night's Youth Rodeo also was well attended as little cowpokes tried their hand at such events as steer riding, dummy roping, and goat-tail untying.

While participation in the Produce Division of the Open Class exhibit was up, other divisions were down, said Open Class Registrar Vicki Smith.

A total of 475 exhibits were displayed in the Open Class competition with 468 receiving ribbons. And $888 was given out in Premiums, Smith said. Special awards included a holiday basket from Three Island Quilts, and $175 in awards from SACO, a food distribution company.

Mack Chris of Inland Royal West Carnival said attendance on both Friday and Saturday were good -- down only a little from last year, which was the best year reported by the company during the nine years it has been bringing attractions and rides to the fair.

A few events were cancelled during this year's fair, including the rodeo queen competition, which drew only two applicants. The working dog demonstration scheduled for both Friday and Saturday evenings was cancelled because of the heat.

However, there were plenty of other activities for fairgoers to enjoy, including Hornet Car Racing on Wednesday evening and the Little Miss Elmore County Fair Pageant on Thursday.

This year's fair was dedicated to the county's Basque culture, and Saturday's activities included traditional Basque music, food, and a weight-lifting demonstration

Domingo Aguirre, representing the area's Basques, was this year's Grand Marshal.

Despite the hot temperatures and low attendance during the first two nights of the fair, Wyllie said she was pleased with this year's event. She expressed gratitude for the hard work fair board members did throughout fair week.