It’s time for the annual La Plata County Fair, a showcase of the county’s best farmers and ranchers. The fair will be held from Aug. 9 to 13 at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.

How long has the fair been going on?

This year’s La Plata County Fair honors the multiple generations of families that have come together for more than 70 years in celebration of the county’s best livestock, produce and talent. The fair’s theme is “A Living Legacy.”

What’s new this year?

Texas singer-songwriter Kyle Park will give a concert at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the rodeo arena. “We haven’t had a concert here in 30 years,” said Amy Peterson, president of the La Plata County Fair board of directors. Denver-based country group Shotgun Lullaby will open the show. Tickets are available online at www.durangoconcerts.com or at the venue.

What contests are growing each year in terms of participants?

Peterson said the open-class quilting competition has grown more than most. “There are always a lot of quilts,” she said. Additionally, the number of vendors participating in the fair has grown exponentially. “We’ve had more vendors sign up this year than in many years past,” she said.

How has the fair evolved to include rural and urban participants?

The fair has evolved over the years to include a variety of events that one might not typically associate with a county fair, including model rocketry, robotics and engineering. “The 4-H kids do all sorts of things. It’s not just rural stuff, there is something for everyone,” Peterson said. “It is amazing what they do.”

Fair schedule highlights

Wednesday
4-H sheep show, all classes, judging open class sheep show, 4 p.m.
Swine showmanship, following sheep show.
Thursday
Judging 4-H/FFA breeding and market swine, 8:30 a.m.
Open class swine, all classes, following 4-H/FFA swine.
Exhibits open to the public, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Judging open class home economics, horticulture, floriculture and creative arts, 9 a.m.
4-H poultry judging followed by open class, 9 a.m.
Judging 4-H/FFA goat show, all classes, 1 p.m.
Fair Royalty speeches and modeling, 5 p.m.
Draft horse competition (feed Race & log kkidding), 5-9 p.m.
Friday
Exhibits open to the public, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Judging 4-H/FFA rabbits, 9 a.m.
4-H/FFA breeding beef, 10 a.m. Beef showmanship will follow breeding beef.
4-H/FFA market beef, grand champion and reserve grand, champion market beef, champion selection, 1 p.m.
4-H/FFA Livestock Round Robin, all-around showmanship, 4 p.m.
Draft horse competition: Man vs. horse tug of war, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Talent contest, 7 p.m.
Kyle Park concert, 6:30-10:30 p.m., rodeo arena
Saturday
Exhibits open to public, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
4-H Dog Show, grassy area west of Extension Building, 9 a.m.
Rooster crowing contest, 10 a.m.
Demolition Derby, noon. Gates will open at 10 a.m.
4-H Marketplace, 4-H youth products for sale, noon-5 p.m., Durango/La Plata Senior Center lawn
Community 4-H Barbecue Cook-Off, noon-5 p.m., senior center lawn
Rabbit & poulty costume contest (custom parade of animals to follow), 2 p.m.
Fair Royalty crowning, 5:45 p.m.
Junior livestock sale, 6 p.m., pavilion
Fair family dance, 9 p.m.-midnight, patio
Sunday
Cowboy Church, 8:30 a.m., pavilion.
Exhibits open to the public, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.
4-H/FFA Catch-it contest, 1:30 p.m.
For a complete event schedule, visit
co.laplata.co.us/government/departments/fairgrounds
.