Livestock exhibits and more on tap at fair

COLUMBUS — The 45th Colorado County Fair will have an extended fair schedule for the 2023 season starting with the Junior Livestock Show and Queens Pageant Sept. 6-10 and the Fair and Carnival Sept. 1416.

The events will be at the Colorado County Fairgrounds, 1146 Crossroads Blvd., which is also Texas 71 North.

Starting 5 p.m. Sept. 7 in Founders Hall, there will be the Little Miss, Little Mister, Junior Miss, Junior Queen and Fair Queen Pageant, open to the public at no cost.

The same weekend will feature the Junior Livestock including market steers, commercial heifers, bucket calf, pen of two heifers, market hogs, market lambs, open junior lamb show, open junior market lamb prospect show, market goats, open junior goat prospect show, broilers, fryer rabbits, scramble projects, hard luck projects, Colorado County junior beef heifer show, 4-H and FFA livestock judging contest and the Agricultural Mechanics Project Show.

On Sept. 9 at 11 a.m., there will be the Buyer Appreciation Dinner followed by the Junior Sale at 1 p.m.

According to a release, “The Junior Sale is open to the community and those in attendance will have the chance to support the kids’ animal or projects by purchasing in an auction-style sale. It is open to the public.”

On Sept. 14, the fair kicks off with ceremonies at 9 a.m. at the flag poles.

Also on tap is the Senior Citizen Day with band, lunch and activities.

That evening, folks can enjoy Thursday night polka and waltz music.

The carnival will be open, and the Colorado County Fair Ticket Queen will be crowned on the main stage.

In addition, check out the rodeo’s Ranch Rodeo event, and vendors/ food booths will be set up for shopping. The Founders Hall will be open for viewing.

The hall will display the home economics projects, school art from around the county, photography and the quilt show.

Sept. 15 will showcase “Go Tejano Night.”

The rodeo will have the mutton bustin’ and the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association rodeo on Sept. 15 and Sept. 16.

Sept. 16 starts the day with a 10 a.m. parade at the courthouse square, car show at the grounds, mini-rod tractor and engine show, pet show and the winners of the barbecue contest will be announced.

It’s also Locals Band Night, with headliner Thompson Square known for the No. 1 hit “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not?”