Quay County Fair gets started

The Quay County Fair from Wednesday through Saturday represents the completion of dozens of projects from area 4-H members. It also represents a highlight of fun for children of all ages with the arrival of the carnival at the Quay County Fairgrounds.

For the latter, Sun Valley Rides returns to the fairgrounds for a sixth year. Rides begin daily at 5 p.m. The fair board has made available for presale 500 all-you-can-ride carnival armbands for $18. Carnival riders must be at least 36 inches tall and not be wearing any casts for broken limbs.

Armbands are available at Tucumcari Ranch Supply, Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce, Tucumcari Federal Savings and Loan and the Quay County Extension Office.

The fair also has scheduled several fun activities, including:

• A watermelon feed from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Friday;

• A cornhole tournament by the San Jon FFA Booster at 9 p.m. Friday;

• Street dance from 9 to 11:30 p.m. Friday;

• Itty Bitty Rodeo at 11 a.m. Saturday;

• Pet parade at noon Saturday;

• Horseshoe pitching contest, 1 p.m. Saturday.

For the contests, indoor exhibits will be accepted from 8 to 11 a.m. Wednesday. The exhibit hall will be closed from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for judging entries that will include baked goods, home arts, canning, sewing, quilts, needlework and crafts.

The exhibit hall will open at 5 p.m. that day, along with its concession stand run by the Tucumcari High School volleyball team. After that, the exhibit hall will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the concession stand from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. In addition to the exhibits, about 40 vendors will be in the hall.

All animals. including open-class poultry and rabbits, must be on the grounds and entered by noon Wednesday. Youth with Shepherd's Lead animals and show pigs will be grooming animals for shows that evening. The fair begins with the Shepherd's Lead show at 5:15 p.m. and the swine show about 6:30 p.m.

Here are the other livestock shows:

• Sheep and goat shows, 5 p.m. Thursday;

• Rabbit show, 10 a.m. Friday;

• Poultry show, 1 p.m. Friday;

• Dog show, 2 p.m. Friday;

• Heifer and steer show, 4:30 p.m. Friday;

• Horse show, 7 a.m. Saturday.

The highlight of the week for many livestock exhibitors is the Junior Livestock Sale at 6 p.m. Saturday. Photos of the exhibitors will be taken at 3 p.m., with the buyers' barbecue at 4 p.m.

The fair does not charge for parking or admission to the grounds.