Ride ‘em cowboy! A saddle bronc rider seizes the day during a nice ride. Cowboys tested their mettle against the spirited livestock trucked in for the event. PHOTO BY DAVE GIBSON[/caption]

For a local outdoor event jam-packed with fun activities and entertainment for all ages, nothing quite beats experiencing the Gilpin County Fair. A decades-long tradition held this year on July 14-16 at 230 Norton Drive, Black Hawk, it was an opportunity to reestablish connections with old friends and meet new people.

There were bounce houses set up for the kids and, new to the fair this year, a mechanical bull. One after another children and teens climbed aboard only to be unceremoniously ejected. If a rider became too clingy, all the operator of the machine had to do was speed it up a bit and they also were tossed.

Suze-Q-Z the clown kept busy all day painting kids’ faces in whatever design they chose. The line for face painting was almost as long as the one at the mimosa and margarita stand.

To kick things off, the Westernaires’ interpretive Indian dancers performed native dances of the High Plains. In existence since 1949, the nonprofit organization promotes self-respect, responsibility, and leadership in young people through horsemanship and family participation while keeping western traditions alive. Trick ropers, fancy ropers, and whippers dazzled the audience with their polished routines.

The barn filled with humans and canines for the Dog Agility contest. The first stop on the carefully laid out course was at the judges table where an obligatory bribe was offered and accepted. Two tall glasses of cold lemonade brought by one contestant scored extra points. Barrels, chutes, hoops, weave poles, a teeterboard, and a slide were among the obstacles negotiated or not.

Ike and his dog Benson took first place last year and would be the team to beat. Regulars at Gilpin Dog Training on Sundays, Benson jumped higher than any of the other dogs and was awarded third place. Gaylyn and her adorable corgi Hobbit placed second on the strength of Hobbit’s barrelrolling skills. Half Great Pyrenees and half Australian shepherd, Blakely showed rapt attention, obedience, and devotion to its owner Charlie, winning the competition.

Scheduled first and most courageous of all the entrants in the rodeo were the mutton busters. As young as three years old, grasping tightly ahold of their sheep, some of them rode far into the arena. Others were dumped in the gate. In such instances they were offered a re-ride, which most declined. Demonstrating great fortitude and grit, all the participants received ribbons.

The grandstand was overflowing for the start of the Bareback, Saddle Bronc, and Bull Riding competitions. Tyler Ferguson won the Bareback category, registering a score of 77. Nate Neislanik rose above the rest, securing first place in the Saddle Bronc with a score of 83 points. Unmistakable in her flaming pink cowgirl shirt and chaps, Kailey McGuire had a respectable showing in the Bull Riding, exhibiting good form and lasting far into her ride. Through the many spills and close calls of the contest, JB Galvin tamed his raging beast to take top Bull Riding honors with 84.5 points.

Always a crowd favorite, another round of Mutton Bustin’ made the afternoon arena events complete.

Gilpin County Special Events Coordinator Krystal Meyer offered herself up at the dunk tank after the rodeo. For a dollar you received three tennis balls with which to hit the target and send Krystal into an icy bath. For those with poor aim and five dollars to spare, you could just walk up and press the button. Four hundred dollars were raised and donated to the 4-H club on Saturday alone. Her young sons Kolby and Liam took particular delight in the activity. With smiles all around and having been dunked a few times already, she kicked water at Kolby and taunted him with, “We want a pitcher, not a belly-itcher.” Kerplunk!

A special thanks goes out to Gabrielle Chisholm and her staff at the Gilpin County Community Center and Public Works Department for preparing the site. Thank you to Norma Jones and Larry Sterling of Gilpin County Animal Response Team who, along with Krystal Meyer, organized the arena events. Also thank you to Carolyn Collins Peterson from the Friends of the Gilpin County Community Center for her help organizing the fair and to the Gilpin County 4-H Team for their invaluable assistance.