Sandoval County Fair kicks off in Cuba this weekend

It’s time again for the Sandoval County Fair.

This year’s event, the 48th annual, will be a week filled with fun at the county fairgrounds in Cuba from July 29 to Aug. 4.

All the fan favorites — the parade, rodeo, arts and crafts and tasty fair food — are on the schedule. The county fair will also feature circus performers, concerts, 4-H exhibits, a pow-wow, dances and a chile cook-off.

This year, three New Mexico bands will perform as part of a new feature, “Rockin’ at the Rodeo." Dirty Brown Jug Band, Son Of Hwéeldi and Red Light Cameras will take the stage in Cuba.

Circus performance groups are scheduled for both Friday and Saturday featuring interactive performances, fire acts, juggling, stilt walkers, hula hoops and giant puppets.

The watermelon eating contest and Chile Cook-off also return this year.

The cook-off features red chile, not chili, with a $50 entrance fee. The winner will get $500, with $300 going to second place and $100 for third.

The parade, which always draws a big crowd, begins at 10 a.m. July 27, then makes its way down U.S. Highway 550.

2024 Sandoval County Fair Schedule of Events

Monday, July 29

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: 4-H indoor exhibit check-in (all exhibits and baked goods)

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Open indoor exhibit check-in (all exhibits and baked goods)

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Ranch booth setup

Tuesday, July 30

9 a.m.: 4-H indoor exhibit judging

9 a.m.: Open indoor exhibit judging

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

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

Wednesday, July 31

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

8 a.m.: Open Gymkhana sign-up

9 a.m.: Gymkhana

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

1 p.m. Royalty contest (Community Center)

Thursday, Aug. 1, Senior Day

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

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

9 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Exhibit Hall open

9 a.m.: Senior Day activities

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

To follow: 4-H Cloverbud Small Animal Show (Feather and Fur Barn)

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

3 p.m.: Barrel race exhibitions

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

To follow: Adult Showmanship and Youth Lamb and Goat Dress-Up Show

6 p.m.: Rodeo Grand Entry

6:30 p.m.: 4-D Barrel Race (Rodeo Arena) with mutton busting, steer riding and bull riding to follow.

Friday, Aug. 2

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

9 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Exhibit Hall open

9 a.m.: 4-H County Bred Meat Goat Show

To follow: 4-H Meat Goat Show, 4-H Breeding Swine Show, 4-H Market Swine Show and Market Lamb Show

12:30-2 p.m.: 4-H Dog Show

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

To follow: 4-H Replacement Beef Heifer Show, 4-H County Bred Steer Show and 4-H Market Steer Show

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

6 p.m.: Wild Fire Tina (Rodeo Arena)

6:30 p.m.: Rodeo Grand Entry (Rodeo Arena) with mutton busting, NMRA Rodeo, TF Parade of Champions, wild horse race and NMRA Rodeo Slack (if needed) to follow

9 p.m. to midnight: Rockin’ at the Rodeo (music by Dirty Brown Jug Band, Son of Hweeldi and The Red Light Cameras)

Saturday, Aug. 3

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

9-10 a.m.: Parade line up

9-9:45 a.m.: Tailspin Roping Entry (Rodeo Arena)

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

10 a.m.: Parade (Downtown Cuba)

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Gourd Dancing (Powwow area)

10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Chile Cook-off

Noon: Buyers Luncheon

1 p.m.: Powwow Grand Entry

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

To follow: Paula Enyeart Buckle Presentation (Leeson Arena)

1:30 p.m.: Jr. Livestock Auction (Leeson Arena)

3:30 p.m.: Watermelon Eating Contest

6 p.m.: Royalty Coronation (Rodeo Arena) with mutton busting, NMRA Rodeo, calf scramble (during Rodeo Performance) and wild horse race to follow

6 p.m.: Powwow closing

9 p.m. to midnight: Dance (music by Austin Van)

Sunday, Aug. 4

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

10 a.m.: Small animal and livestock check-out

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: 4-H and open indoor exhibit check-out

10 a.m.: Animal Scramble check-in (Leeson Arena)

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

11 a.m.: 4-H Amigos Animal Scramble (Leeson Arena)

Schedule and events are subject to change.