TRADITION AND FUN AT THE EL PASO COUNTY FAIR
MESSAGE FROM MARSHA
House District 19 has been home to the El Paso County Fair for many years! The fair has been part of a rich, western heritage that has shaped the successes of El Paso County and the state of Colorado for 104 years, dating back to 1905.
The first fair celebrated the bountiful potato harvest of the farmers from the surrounding area. These hard working ancestors enjoyed horse racing and compared stories of the frigid, hard winter nights that preceded the warm summer fair days. The magnificent horse and rugged covered wagon served as the first type of transportation to the fairgrounds for the men, women and children of the west.
Potatoes and wheat were the primary agricultural products displayed at the fair until beans became the favorite in 1915. These days, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy the hand woven quilts, painted pictures, jams and jellies in addition to the traditional agriculture products.
The livestock projects presented at the fair represent years of hard work and commitment by thousands of young 4-H participants throughout El Paso County. Projects ranging from soft furry rabbits, chattery chickens, wooly lambs to pretty pink pigs and impressive performing cattle keep these young 4-H competitors busy throughout the year. They work relentlessly on their 4-H projects to earn the privilege of competing with fellow 4-Hrs and displaying them to their fellow countrymen and women for enjoyment.
In addition to the 4-H agriculture and creative arts projects, the El Paso County Fair offers entertainment for the entire family; truck & tractor pulls, auto races, monster truck show, extreme off road racing, rough stock rodeo, concerts, dances, games and rides of an old fashioned country carnival. Join me for a cup of lemonade, and rediscover your country roots and smile at the 2009 El Paso County Fair from July 18th – 25th, located at the El Paso County Fairgrounds in Calhan Colorado.
Marsha Looper
Colorado State Representative HD#19
Website:www.gomarsha.org, 719-238-5600
Visit www.elpasocountyfair.com for additional information.
