Colorado State Fair brings change, creates memories

As livestock exhibitors finish unpacking their show boxes and hanging up their show shirts, local 4-H and FFA members reflect about their time in Pueblo for state fair.

Colby Weber, 13, showed his solid-black calf at Colorado State Fair and was fortunate enough to win his class, which was no easy feat. This also secured a place for Colby in the junior livestock sale, an opportunity that is only available to less than 100 youth each year.

And while Colby and his family were excited about their accomplishments in Pueblo, he said that the experience was still different from any previous years. “The biggest difference was not having my family around the show ring,” Colby said. Each youth exhibitor was only allowed to bring one family member to comply with health department guidelines. Colby said that this equated to a lot less enthusiasm and energy in the show ring and in the barn while prepping animals.

Exhibitors also had to wear face masks and maintain distance both in and outside of the show ring. There was also quite a change in the location of shows. Instead of taking place in the Livestock Pavilion, like in normal years, the shows all took place in the Event Center, a larger area that would provide more space for social distancing. Another Phillips County 4-H member, Lucinda Mares, 13, said, “Although the facilities and the show ring were quite different, overall the love and passion everyone has for the people and the animals was visibly still there.”

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