John Scarffe, Gilpin County. Participants and attendants at the 2019 Gilpin County Fair, on July 12 - 14, had to hold on. They rode mechanical bulls, walked on water and tried to hang on to sheep, bulls and horses. The free fair was packed with vendors of food and arts, and the Gilpin County Democrats and Republicans had booths.

The Fair began on Friday, July 12, with a community potluck, a chili cook-off, capturing the flag, fire dancers and chili awards. The Fair opened on Saturday with an Ameristar free breakfast. At 10 a.m., the Nederland School Orchestra played as folks signed up for the horseshoe contest. Horseshoe contestants included Dennis Newhoff, Howard Roche, Chris Kierst and Sonny LaPointe.

Rides on a variety of water slides and a mechanical bull ran throughout the day. Gilpin County resident William Hunt gave his try on the mechanical bull, and teens lined up to ride the bull.

A Walk on Water exhibit allowed children to enter clear plastic bubbles, which were then sealed with tape, so the youngsters could walk, twirl and play in the ball while it swirled through a pool.

An Extreme Dogs exhibit ran throughout the Fair, featuring dogs catching Frisbees and doing other amazing tricks. Groups competed in a Battle of the Bands from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the main stage in the middle of the fair grounds.

Local residents entered their gourmet entries from noon to 2 p.m., and the Fair featured a parade for the first time. Entries included a Special Operations float, dogs on a cycle and Smokey the Bear riding in the antique Timberline Fire District truck. 

The Mutton Bustin‘ Contest began at 1 p.m. in which young boys and girls tried to hang on and ride a sheep. A couple of the young girls cried when they were thrown off, and in some cases the sheep landed on them for a second. Some of the young boys were able to hang on a little longer. 

A talent and Karaoke Show took place at 2 p.m., followed by the Sheep Scramble at 2:45 p.m. The Gilpin County Fair Bulls & Beads rodeo highlighted events at 3 p.m. Garret Marchand tried to ride a bull without much success and also was bucked off his horse, Feedbill, after a short ride.

In the first section of the Ranch Broncs competition, Colton Thompson, riding Angel Eyes, scored a 79, according to unofficial results, followed by Tyler Williams, on Bakers Boy, with a 76 and Colton Miller, on PT Cruiser, with a score of 73.

Sunday, July 14, featured a pancake breakfast from 8 to 10:30 a.m. while the Gymkhana ran until 11:30 a.m. A log splitting contest ran from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., with a Cowboy Church at 10:30 a.m., wood carving at 11:30 a.m. and more Mutton Bustin'.

The Dogs’ Agility Contest began at 1 p.m. Local residents entered their dogs for an obstacle course to show their agility. Dogs would first receive a treat on a carpet before going over a ramp and then into a long, blue tunnel, going through weave bars, over barrels and then over another ramp to a small pool, up another ramp and along a flat space. 

They would climb down from there and enter a tent before leaping over more barrels and then going into the Cottage, which had two different openings. Their show ended on an upturned barrel as a dancing stage.

The Gourmet and Wood Carving awards were presented at 1 p.m. The Fair concluded with the Westernaires rodeo show at 2 p.m. 

The Westernaires featured a national anthem and then a variety of groups, including high school students in blue shirts performing formations in the arena, and the Red Prism riders, who did tricks hanging off their horses as they rode around the arena.

The 2019 Gilpin County Fair closed at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 14. With some rain Sunday afternoon hampering the proceedings slightly, Fair attendees were glad to get back to their vehicles and head home.  

The Gilpin County Fair is sponsored by:

County of Gilpin

United Power

Xcel Energy

Office Stuff

Central City

The Weekly Register-Call

Sasquatch Casino

Air-O-Pure Portables

The Mountain-Ear

JKQ BBQ

High Timber Firewood & Logging

Gilpin Ambulance Authority

Timberline Fire

Colorado Natural Gas

Diamond SR Carriage Rides

Ameristar Casino, Resort & Spa

MMAC

Air Rentals

DJ on the Fly Entertainment

The

(Originally published in the July 18, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear. A low resolution pdf of this newspaper can be purchased online for $1.50 at