BY SAGE FAULKNER
The Rio Arriba County Fair (which is also open to Los Alamos County) starts this Wednesday, though hardworking youth exhibitors have already started competing. Homemade delights were judged Monday and contestants have been notified who will get to sell in the auction this Saturday, July 31 at 5:00pm.
Los Alamos County residents have many reasons to join Rio Arriba County at the fair this year, because several of the youth exhibitors live in or attend Los Alamos County. Of the 58 total 4-H/FFA livestock exhibitors this year, 11 live in Los Alamos county; and 19 go to school in Los Alamos county.
Junior livestock exhibitors will start showing Thursday morning, with the championship swine show at 8:00am. Lambs will show in the afternoon at 2:00pm, and poultry will show at 4:30pm. Paige Trujillo who has been active in Young Guns 4-H Club for four years will be showing both a pig and a goat. She says, “My favorite part about showing livestock is the animals. I love pigs; they’re silly and smart. Goats have fun personalities, too!” The evening entertainment finishes out the day with the 5th annual goat roping contest and it is sure to amuse everyone in the family.
Friday the cows, heifers and steers will take center stage in the morning shows and goats will be featured in the showring at 1:00. The indoor exhibit hall is open from 8:00am to 5:00pm daily during the fair.
Saturday starts with a bang in the arena featuring the horse show first thing in the morning. If you feel the urge to compete, the county fair pie baking contest happens from 9:00 to 11:00am and you don’t have to be a 4H or FFA member to compete! Community Day Activities start at 10:00am and include traditional activities from the region. Inditas del Pueblo Abiquiu youth dancers will start at 10:30am, followed by Healing with Hoops dancers at 11:00am and Baile Folklorico will finish up at 12:00. A Lowrider Show n Shine exhibit will be set up from 10:00-2:00. Grupo Divino will provide musical entertainment from 1:00 until 2:00. The awards ceremony will be from 1:00 until 2:30 and registration for the Junior Livestock and Homemade Delights Auction registration starts at 4:00pm.
The auction will start at 5:00. This year will be both an online and in person sale, offering anyone who is interested in purchasing the opportunity to buy premium livestock and baked goods. Online buyers must preregister with Valley Livestock Auction prior to start of sale at
For those who might be unsure about buying at the auction, Rio Arriba County Fair Association chairman Cody Trujillo, a 25 year LANL employee and longtime volunteer, offers the following, “We have seen food security issues increase during the pandemic. Eating local has never had more traction, and what better way to purchase locally than from a hardworking youth livestock exhibitor who has been feeding the highest quality feeds? We have processors on site and your exhibitor can make arrangements to get your purchase sent where you want it, so that all you do is bid, take your picture, make arrangements and pick up premium meat for your freezer after a week or two when it is done. All at often close to what you would pay in the grocery store prices, it may qualify as a tax write-off as a donation to a non-profit, and the contribution goes to youth in your community!”
Come to the rural events center near Abiquiu during county fair this July 28 to August 1 and see just why there are so many blue ribbons!
