Cochise County Fair begins next Thursday

The Cochise County Fair is just around the corner taking place Sept. 24-27 on the fairgrounds on Leslie Canyon Road.

Thursday, the 24th will be free seniors day; Friday the 25th is free student’s day.

This year’s theme is Corn To Be Wild, celebrating 85 years of critters, crafts and competitions.

Gates open at 10 a.m. each day.

The ribbon cutting and opening ceremonies are scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday.

The Cochise County Board of Supervisors is co-sponsoring the 85th fair and will be showcasing all of the county departments and services in the commercial building along with all the other informational and commercial booths.

The traditional 4-H livestock judging will take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday climaxed by the livestock sale which begins Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in front of the grand stand.

The Cochise College rodeo will have a nighttime performance Friday at 7 p.m. followed by the championship performance Saturday afternoon.

Joe DeCarlo The Hypnotist and Godfrey The Magician will be on hand to entertain the crowds Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Godfrey the Magician, who will also be strolling the midway Saturday afternoon, will demonstrate his unique style of comedy magic. He is planning on performing his floating illusion for free. All present will be able to see a little girl from the audience floating in mid-air.

Hypno Joe USA has a “Doctorate in Laughter” and would like everybody to be ready to be hypnotized, mesmerized and revitalized.

There will be a tractor pull competition from 6-10 p.m. Saturday in front of the grandstand featuring modified tractors, alcohol burners and mini rods as well as a category for locals to pull.

Partners is the main entertainment on Thursday featuring Bonnie Starr and Ted Bax.

“They are local from the Sierra Vista area and have quite a following,” said Cochise County Fairgrounds Manager Karen Strongin.

Friday evening’s entertainment is Rockus out of Bisbee.

“They pride themselves on being a high energy classic rock & roll 5 piece band that plays music from the 70’s, 80’s and some 90’s,” Strongin said.

Saturday evening’s entertainment will be the Clay Mac Band out of Van Horn, Texas.

Strongin said Clay is married to a Willcox girl and is really looking forward to performing at the fair.

“They are a very high energy five-piece country band which features Clay Mac on the fiddle,” Strongin said. “They have mainly performed as headliners in Texas and New Mexico at Pro Rodeos and Bull Ridings.”

Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Vicar, an inspirational gospel band, will be performing on stage.

Strongin said all four days of the fair there will be a Petting Zoo that will be free to the public courtesy of Cochise County Fair Association.

To bring the celebration to an end on Sunday evening Douglas’ own Grupo Familia which features the Zamora family from Douglas will perform.

“You will want to be sure to save time to wander through the (commercial) building and register for all of the prizes to be given away,” Strongin said. “We will have a few new food vendors that will entice your taste buds. The carnival is bringing a new exhibit you won’t want to miss - it’s a surprise!”

Strongin said the she is pleased to let everyone know the fair will again be paying out premiums for the open class exhibits.

“Budget constraints prevented our being able to last year,” she said.

The Cochise County Fair Association’s Board of Directors and staff pride themselves on producing a good old fashioned country fair venue that includes 4-H, FFA, the Cochise College Rodeo, live entertainment on stage daily, and the opportunity for citizens of this county to gather and show off their talents and renew friendships.

Strongin said the County Fair remains a great value in today’s economy and has not raised entrance prices in 10 years.

Pre-carnival tickets now available

Pre-carnival ride tickets are for sale now and can be purchased at Safeway in Douglas.

Tickets are $18 each and are good for one person unlimited rides any one day of the fair but cannot be used in conjunction with Buddy Day which is Thursday of the fair.

Buddy Day tickets must be bought on grounds at the regular price, you buy one and your buddy rides for free.