Bi-County Fair planning begins

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — Planning for the 2007 Bi-County Fair is under way.

Dee Ann Leyba, fair board president, said the board is considering purchasing a computer to help with the fair.

"The computer will allow us to track every animal that is checked in on Thursday of fair weekend.

"The animals are owned by the 4-H youth, but while at the fair, the fair board is responsible for them," she said.

The fair will be able to determine whether each animal makes it to the 4-H sale, is sold outside of the sale, goes home or to the butcher.

"What happens if an animal is left at the fair?" she asked. That is why the fair wants a new computer, she said.

A new computer will also help the fair provide results of the fair sooner and help print the annual fair book, she said.

The fair takes place each year on Labor Day weekend at the fair grounds in Prewitt.

"We are discussing adding some fun events for the 4-H youth and adults, but it is too early to talk about that," she said.

Steer tagging
Steer ear tagging is also part of the fair and this year it will be from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

"If you are a 4-Her and plan to show a steer at the Bi-County Fair, you must have your steer tagged on March 31," said Jimmy Plane, Cibola County Cooperative Extension agent.

"If your steer is not tagged, you cannot enter it into the fair," he said.

Steers are normally about a year old at this point and weigh between 600-800 pounds, depending on the breed, he said.

It takes anywhere from two minutes to 15 minutes to tag each steer, depending on how "ornery" the steer is, Plane said.

The fair board also decided to begin electing officers each year in October, instead of every two years, Leyba said.

This allows the fair to be more flexible in how it is operated, she said.

Gate sponsors, open meetings
"The gate sponsors will continue," she said. The gate sponsors are Grants State Bank, Continental Divide Electric Cooperative, Inc., R&M Furniture, Grants Furniture and Big O Tires.

Gate sponsors help fund the fair, making it possible for the general public to have free admission.

The next fair board meeting is at 7 p.m., April 16 at the Fire Station in Thoreau, she said. Even though there are usually not any members of the public at the board meetings, the meetings are open to the public, she said.

The board's first meeting at the fair grounds this year will probably be in May.

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin, call (505) 287-2197 or e-mail: jtiffin.independent@yahoo.com.