Labor Day contests offer plenty of fun for the younger set

WINNEMUCCA - This year's Tri-County Fair will offer a veritable extravaganza of activities for kids of all ages. From new rock friends to mini-construction creations, there's no limit to the free fun that can be had as part of this year's festivities.

This year's newest offering, the Pet Rock contest, will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at the Winnemucca Events Complex Exhibit Hall. The first annual event is sponsored by Women in Mining and will bring together enormous quantities of rocks, paint, glue and all the gear necessary to create your new best friend. The contest is free and open to kids of all ages. Prizes will be awarded to winners in five age categories including 5 and under, 6 to 9, 10 to 12, 13 to 18 years, and 19 and older.

The Mutt Show contest will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday, August 31, on the Main Stage Outside at the Winnemucca Events Complex. Local "mutts" will compete for great prizes in four categories including "Cutest Mutt," "Costume Contest," "Best Trick" and "Best Dog & Handler." Signups will take place beginning at 2 p.m. Entry forms are available online at www.LaborDayFair.com or in the 2013 Fair Guide.

Of course, no Fair would be complete without a little creative construction. Area building maniacs are invited to put their erecting expertise to the test as part of the Mini-Construction Contest. The objective of this fun contest is to use a variety of construction items like Lincoln Logs, Legos, matchsticks, toothpicks, straws, sugar cubes, paper clips, tack, string, glue and imagination to construct a building, a castle, fort or art project. Pre-entry is recommended and exhibitors are limited to one entry each. Entries cannot be larger than 2 feet by 2 feet. Entries will be accepted during regular entry check-in times, from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, and from 8 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28. Prizes will be awarded to winners in five age categories, including 5 and under, 6 to 9, 10 to 12, 13 to 18 and 19 and older.

Those with a flair for crayons and color are invited to take part in the annual Coloring Contest. Coloring blanks are available at the Humboldt County Extension Office, the Winnemucca Convention Center or online at www.LaborDayFair.com. Winners will be announced in five age groups, including 3 to 5, 6 to 9, 10 to 12 and 13 to 18. Entries may be turned in anytime before 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, to the Humboldt County Extension Office at the Winnemucca Events Complex.

The Create-a-Picture Contest gives young artists another chance to create their own mini masterpiece using the theme, "Mining, Industry & Agriculture." Entries must be submitted to the Winnemucca Convention Center or the Humboldt County Extension Office by 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26. Participants are asked to put their name, address, age, phone number and school on the back of the picture. Prizes will be awarded in five age groups, including 3 to 5, 6 to 9, 10 to 13, 14 to 16 and 17 to 18.

In addition, the Write-a-Story Contest will allow area youth to select their best 300 words to compose a story or poem, also using the theme, "Mining, Industry & Agriculture." Entries must be submitted to the Winnemucca Convention Center or the Humboldt County Extension Office by 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26. Participants are asked to put their name, address, age, phone number and school on the back of the story. Prizes will be awarded in five age groups, including 3 to 5 (with parental help), 6 to 9, 10 to 13, 14 to 16 and 17 to 18.

But that's not all. Pie Eating and Watermelon Eating contests will take place Sunday, September 1, at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. respectively. Signups will begin at 2 p.m. by the Main Stage Outside at the Winnemucca Events Complex. Competition is open to the first 10 people to sign up in each of four age categories: 6 to 9, 10 to 12, 13 to 18 and 19 and older.

For more information on all the contests planned for this year's Fair, please log on to www.LaborDayFair.com or contact the Tri-County Fair & Stampede at (775) 623-5071, ext. 102, or toll-free at (800) 962-2638, ext. 102.

A complete schedule of events is included in the 2013 Fair Guide Book. Copies are available at the Winnemucca Convention Center; the Humboldt County Extension Office; the Humboldt County Chamber of Commerce; the Humboldt County Library; the Winnemucca Events Complex office; the Paradise, Orovada and McDermitt post offices; the Battle Mountain Chamber of Commerce; the Lovelock Chamber of Commerce; or online at www.LaborDayFair.com.[[In-content Ad]]