Sandoval County Fair kicks off Wednesday

The Sandoval County Fair begins next week in Cuba, and Tim Johnson, board president of the fair, says it will be a can’t-miss event.

“Hands down, the 2023 Sandoval County Fair is going to be the greatest event to hit Sandoval County this year,” Johnson said.

While Johnson admits that there is no scientific evidence to support his unbridled enthusiasm, he said that there is much excitement being expressed, and he believes that people are ready to experience all the fair festivities fully again.

“We just want everyone to come on over to the fair as we say, ‘Celebrate the Bounty of the County,’” Johnson said. “This year’s fair boasts an aerial acrobats’ premiere performance, a mechanical bull, the watermelon eating contest is back after a long hiatus, and for the first time, there is a chili cook-off.”

All the fair favorites, such as the 4-H events, three dances, the rodeo, the pow-wow and the royalty coronation will also take place from Aug. 2-6.

Here’s a look at what is scheduled for the fair:

Aug. 2

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Small animal and livestock check-in

9 a.m.:Royalty Contest (Rodeo Arena)

10 a.m. to 6 p.m.:RV Daily Check-In

3-4 p.m.: Open Gymkhana sign-up

Aug. 3

7 a.m. to 9 a.m.: Small animal and livestock check-in

9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: RV daily check-in

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Exhibit hall open

10 a.m.: 4-H Rabbit Show (Rabbit and Poultry Barn)

To follow: 4-H Cloverbud Small Animal Show (Rabbit and Poultry Barn)

1 p.m.: 4-H Poultry Show (Rabbit and Poultry Barn)

3 p.m.: Barrel Race Exhibitions

4 p.m.: Open Livestock Jackpots (Leeson Arena)

TF: Adult Showmanship

TF: Youth La.m.b and Goat Dress-Up Show

5 p.m.: Rodeo Grand Entry

5:30 p.m.: 4-D Barrel Race (Rodeo Arena)

TF: Mutton Busting

TF: Steer Riding

TF: Bull Riding

6-10 p.m.: Dance (Music by Let It Play DJ)

Aug. 4 (Senior Day)

8 a.m. to 6 p.m.: RV daily check-in

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Exhibit hall open

9 a.m. : Senior Day Activities (Music by Joe Arellano)

9 a.m.: 4-H Dairy Goat Show

TF: 4-H County Bred Meat Goat Show

TF: 4-H Meat Goat Show

TF: 4-H Market Swine Show

TF: 4-H Market La.m.b Show

2 p.m.: NMRA Rodeo Slack (if needed)

2 p.m.: 4-H Cloverbud La.m.b and Goat Show

2:30 p.m.: 4-H Dairy Heifer Show

TF: 4-H Replacement Beef Heifer Show

TF: 4-H County Bred Steer Show

TF: 4-H Market Steer Show

3 p.m.: 4-H Round Robin Showmanship

6:30 p.m.: Rodeo Grand Entry

TF: Mutton Busting (Rodeo Arena)

TF: NMRA Rodeo (Rodeo Arena)

TF: Wild Horse Race (Rodeo Arena)

TF: NMRA Rodeo Slack (if needed)

9 p.m. to midnight: Dance (Music by The Good Ol’ Boys)

Aug. 5 (Uniform Day)

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Exhibit hall open

9-10 a.m.: Parade line-up

9-10 a.m.: La Famila Roping Entry (Rodeo Arena)

9:30 a.m.: Chili cook-off

10 a.m.: Roping starts (Rodeo Arena)

10 a.m.: Parade (downtown Cuba)

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. : Gourd dancing (Pow-Wow Area)

Noon: Buyers luncheon sponsored by Sandoval County Farm Bureau (Pavilion)

1 p.m.: Pow-Wow Grand Entry

1 p.m.: Parade Awards (Leeson Arena)

TF: Paula Enyeart Buckle Presentation (Leeson Arena)

1:30 p.m.: Junior livestock auction (Leeson Arena)

3 p.m.: Watermelon eating contest

6 p.m.: Royalty Coronation (Rodeo Arena)

TF: Mutton Busting

TF: NMRA Rodeo

TF: Calf Scra.m.ble (During Rodeo Performance)

TF: Wild horse race

6 p.m.: Pow-Wow closing

9 p.m. to midnight: Dance (music by The Black Pearl Band)

Aug. 6

9- 9:30 a.m.: Church services

10 a.m.: Small animal and livestock checkout

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: 4-H and Open Indoor Exhibit Check-Out

10 a.m.: Animal Scra.m.ble Check-In (Leeson Arena)

11 a.m.: Youth Rodeo (Rodeo Arena)

11 a.m.: 4-H a.m.igos Animal Scra.m.ble (Leeson Arena)

Schedule and events are subject to change due to circumstances outside of everyone’s control.

General admission is $10 per adult and $5 per child or senior age 65-plus. Children under age 5 are free. Entry is free on Uniform and Senior days with ID. Unlimited fair passes are available for families for $65 or $25 for an individual; bands will be given for entry all week.