Make plans to attend the Phillips County Fair next week

It’s time for the Phillips County Fair! The “Country Pride County Wide” fair has a full lineup of activities Monday-Sunday, July 25-31, at the Phillips County Fairgrounds just north of Holyoke. “The board has worked really hard to bring the best opportunities for the community at the fair, and we hope people will come check it out,” said fair board president Kayla Kafka.

Monday full of 4-H projects

The first day of fair Monday, July 25, includes entry of general 4-H projects and interview judging.

Barrel racing set for Tuesday

Tuesday, July 26, begins with the horse show at 8:30 a.m.

Barrel racing will take off that evening at 6 p.m. in the outdoor arena, and admission is free for spectators. Registration starts at 4:30 p.m., or call Dixie Engelke at 785-476-8172 to preregister.

Ranch rodeo is Wednesday

Livestock exhibitors may set up their stalls from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, July 27.

Community members can enter open class projects from 1-6 p.m. at the event center. This includes garden, crafts, needlework, fine arts, quilts, special theme contests, and pre-K to third grade arts and crafts. Floriculture and baked/preserved goods can be entered at this time or from 9-11 a.m. Thursday, July 28.

Open class entries can also be preentered online at https://phil.fairwire.com/.

From 1-4 p.m., livestock, rabbits and horses will be entered and stalled, and the market animal weigh-in is set for 4 p.m. in the order of beef, sheep, goats and hogs.

No poultry will be allowed at this year’s fair due to highly pathogenic avian influenza, and the entry of rabbits will be limited due to rabbit hemorrhagic disease.

For information about animal and open class entries, pick up a copy of the fair booklet at the Phillips County Extension office or at businesses around town.

The ranch rodeo is set to begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the outdoor arena, and spectators can watch for free. Teams should register by 5 p.m. that day by calling Chance Skomp at 308-883-3019.

The event will also include mutton bustin’ for kids 60 pounds or less. Sign up at 6 p.m. at the announcer’s stand at the arena.

Wednesday evening, the Thrashers softball team will be serving a Rocky Mountain oyster dinner, followed by a cornhole tournament and beer garden. To sign up a cornhole team, contact Kendra Schlachter at 308-249-5294.

Thursday features new family fun night

Livestock exhibitors should attend a meeting at the show arena Thursday, July 28, at 8 a.m.

The rabbit show begins at 9 a.m.

Open class entries will be judged at 1 p.m.

Farm mechanics projects can be entered at 1 p.m.

The goat show takes center stage at 2 p.m., followed by the catch-it goat contest and the tiny tot goat show.

The swine show will begin 30 minutes after the goat show, followed by the tiny tot swine show.

The beer garden opens at 4 p.m.

Phillips County Fair is introducing a family fun night this year. Beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday, there will be an escape room (recommended for age 12 and up). Sign up in advance by calling Briana Worley at 970-466-3843.

Goat roping for all ages is set for 6 p.m. Sign up the day of the event at 5:30 p.m. For more info, contact Austin Tharp at 970-466-2463.

Thursday evening will conclude with a family movie night at 8 p.m. “Encanto” will play at the outdoor arena grandstands beginning around 8:30 p.m. Families can bring their own chairs and sit on the track if they’d like to.

Stock car races included in Friday’s schedule

On Friday, July 29, 4-H and FFA exhibitors, leaders and parents can enjoy a free breakfast sponsored by Phillips County Farm Bureau from 6-8 a.m.

Tiny tot bucket calves should be entered and stalled at 8:30 a.m.

The dairy cow and beef show begins at 9 a.m.

At 1 p.m., spectators can watch the sheep show, followed by the catch-it sheep contest and the tiny tot sheep show.

The Darl Atkins memorial horseshoe pitching contest starts at 1 p.m. at Homesteaders Park, and the beer garden opens at 3 p.m. Activities, vendors and food will be available on the midway Friday afternoon and evening.

The parade of champions is at 4 p.m., followed by the chicken and rabbit bingo contests.

The community is invited to the annual barbecue at 5 p.m. in the Biesemeier Room at the event center.

There will be seven divisions on hand, including High Plains late models, at the Phillips County Raceway stock car races at 7 p.m. Friday evening. PCR will show fireworks after the races, weather permitting. For more info, contact Joe Bellm at 720-404-0400.

The evening ends with music by Jason Kimble Night Sounds.

Saturday gets wild with Bulls Gone Wild!

The streets of Holyoke’s Interocean Avenue will be lined for the Country Pride County Wide parade Saturday, July 30.

Parade entries being judged must check in at the elementary school and be in line by 8:30 a.m. Those not being judged should register and line up by 9 a.m. The parade starts at 10 a.m.

Parade entries are requested by Friday, July 22, but will be accepted up to the day of the parade. Contact Julie Elliott at 970-854-5294 or check out the entry form in this edition of the Enterprise for more info.

The annual Orphan Grain Train brat feed will be served at 11 a.m. at the event center.

Kids games will be set up on the midway from noon-8 p.m., and the beer garden also begins at noon.

Horseshoe pitching starts at 1 p.m. as does round robin competition in the show arena.

Salsa contest entries can be taken to the event center from 1-1:30 p.m. for the chance to win best mild, hot or spicy salsa or best quacamole, sponsored by Jolly Dozen FCE Club.

The community is invited to the junior livestock sale at 2:30 p.m.

Saturday’s evening entertainment is Bulls Gone Wild! The night will include bullriding, bull fighting and mutton bustin’. There are limited spots available for mutton bustin’ (60 pounds or less); contact Kafka at 970-580-8019.

For more info about bullriding or bull fighting, contact 970-581-2708.

A beer garden and music with Trent Hughes will round out the night.

Tractor pull is Sunday

Livestock exhibits will be released from 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, July 31, and general 4-H projects and open show exhibits will be released from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

A community church service is set for 9 a.m.

Registration for Sunday’s tractor pull begins at 11 a.m., followed by competition at noon. For more info, contact Thomas Anderson at 970-520-2944.

Sigler is princess; Sterns are grand marshals

If you see a glittery crown when you’re out and about at the fairgrounds, it’s probably Sawyer Sigler, the 2022 Phillips County Fair princess. She’s a sophomore from Holyoke.

The grand marshals for this year’s fair are Harlan and Mona Stern. They moved to Holyoke in 1978. Harlan served as general manager and CEO for Holyoke Co-op and Grainland Cooperative from 1978-2009 in addition to his time on numerous agriculture/community committees and boards. He was also a county commissioner for eight years. Mona worked at Scheunemann’s Department Store and was a contract mail carrier on the Wages route for over 30 years.

The Sterns welcome everyone to the Country Pride County Wide Phillips County Fair. They commend the fair board for the excellent job they do putting together a county fair that brings together the community by providing exciting and entertaining events for everyone to enjoy.