The sun was shining, the skies were blue, and chatter between friends and strangers filled the air with excitement as events on the last day of the 30th Gilpin County Fair went underway. The day began with cowboy church and pancake breakfast.

An hour of live music, a 4-H horse show, a stick horse rodeo, a 4-H gymkhana, a taekwondo demonstration, a dog talent show, and horse carriage rides ensued. Vendors lined the dirt grounds above the arena and along the exterior barn walls in a showcase of creativity, leaving spectators oohing and aahing.

The Gilpin County Community Center’s (GCCC) parking lot was also filled with vendors, including the Holistic Homestead, Friends of the GCCC, and the Gilpin Clay Studio, to name a few.

Children exhausted energy at the bouncy houses, Gilpin County rescue authorities engaged with the public, County Commissioners volunteered, and visitors treated their taste buds to some fair foods.

Animals were a big part of the Gilpin County Fair. Between equines and domesticated dogs in attendance, there were plenty of reasons to smile, laugh, and awe.

The bond between animals and humans was remarkable to witness during the fair. The line alone for the dog talent show, where the dog and owner showed off their spinning, jumping, heeling, and barking skills, was impressive.

Watching the flawless control a trainer has with their horse was a reminder of the depths of said bond. Human bonds also abound as new-found relationships were discovered and old friendships rekindled.

The afternoon slowly became the end of this yearly tradition as vendors tore down their booths and animals packed into vehicles. Thanks and hugs were exchanged, and in a matter of minutes, silence took hold of the fairgrounds once again.

By 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 16, 2023, the Gilpin County Fair came to a close, leaving the community with anticipation of next year’s county fair. Thank you, Gilpin County Parks and Recreation for hosting another wonderful community event!