Planning is in high gear for the Rio Arriba County Fair in Abiquiu July 25-29. Courtesy photo
COMMUNITY NEWS
As youth from both Rio Arriba and Los Alamos County 4H and FFA are busy working on indoor projects and livestock for the Rio Arriba County fair, so, too, are the adults who hold the fair near to their hearts.
In an effort to make the fair the center of the stage for the county, Pretty Tough Cattlewomen and the Rio Arriba County Fair Association are building new community events around the normal fair activities. These new activities are in addition to the daily activities that the Rio Arriba County Fair Association have planned July 25-29.
Thursday, July 25, is Ag Day. Families, school programs and youth groups will have special activities available throughout the day. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., local agricultural businesses, agencies and organizations will host special activities for children. All children are welcome and there will be no charge for coming out to the fair.
Savannah Trujillo, a member of both the RACFA and PT Cattlewomen, says “The intent and purpose for the Rio Arriba County Fair and Ag Day is to promote activities that educate and bring people together through community involvement and in doing so, create a fun-filled atmosphere of learning, celebration, and hope for future generations. Please come on out and join us during the fair as we incorporate youth development activities, northern New Mexico traditions and our rural way of life into this community’s fun-filled event”.
Friday, July 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. is Community Day. Local dance groups are invited to dance from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and local businesses, groups and agencies will be on hand to show you all the exciting new things going on in our community. Community Day is a showcase of everything-Rio Arriba. Meet your neighbors, check out new businesses and opportunities throughout the day.
Saturday, July 27 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. be the first annual PT Cattlewomen Disco Beef Cooking Contest. Contestants will have 3 hours to prepare a beef entrée of their choice with fresh, local beef provided by Zenitram Industries for judging and cash prizes.
Youth livestock shows will be occurring throughout the fair and the indoor exhibit hall will have activities and showcase all the exhibits each day of the fair. The culmination of the fair will be the livestock and baked delights auction on Saturday evening, starting at 5:00pm, where champion livestock and baked goods will sell. Youth use money raised to continue business enterprises such as purchasing the next year’s livestock project and saving for college. Anyone can support the auction, and the RACFA will be on hand to explain opportunities to support fair youth.
PT Cattlewomen president, Jolene Vigil invites all of Rio Arriba and Los Alamos residents out to the fair.
“We invite all families to come out and help us promote and embrace our traditional rural lifestyle and values. Our goal is to promote activities that educate the importance of agriculture and brings people together through community involvement. We encourage all ages to participate,” she said.
For more information and to see the schedule of events: http://racfa.net/ or look for the Rio Arriba County Fair Association on Facebook. To participate in Ag Day/Community Day or the Beef Disco Cooking Contest, please email ptcattlewomen@gmail.com or find Pretty Tough Cattlewomen on Facebook.