Around these parts, Labor Day means just one thing: it's time for a fabulous weekend dedicated to some serious, end-of-summer fun.
"We really have planned a fun weekend," said Darrel Field, chairman of this year's Tri-County Fair Board. Field said the 2014 Fair not only will provide area residents with the opportunity to display their talents, but the weekend also will serve up great entertainment, food and-yes-plenty of good times.
Field said, "There are so many things to do, and the majority of them are free. We specifically planned this year so it could be a really fun end-of-summer celebration."
This year the Fair will offer competition in more than 20 different divisions, including Ceramics, Crafts, Creative Arts, Crocheting, Knitting, Digital Arts, Fine Arts, Floriculture, Foods, Food Preservation, Fruits/Vegetables/Crops, Handwork/Needlework, Photography, Quilting, Recycling, Sewing, Youth Division, and the Create-a-Pet-Rock, Create-a-Picture, Write-a-Story, Coloring, Mini-Construction, Pie and Watermelon Eating, Biggest Home Grown, Mutt Show and Wilton Cake Decorating contests.
The all-new Bulls & Broncs Rodeo will debut at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Outdoor Arena Outside at the Winnemucca Events Complex.
The earlier time will make way for the Chris Young/Courtney Cole concert, which is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 30, in the Winnemucca Event Center.
Rodeo-goers are in for a treat as some of the rankest bulls and broncs in America go head to head against some of the toughest cowboys and girls around.
With just three events-bulls, broncs and barrel racing-this is one afternoon that local crowds won't soon forget.
Regular admission to the rodeo performance is $10 for adults and $4 for children, ages 6 to 12. Kids five and under get in free. Advance rodeo tickets are now available for $8 and $2 respectively at the Winnemucca Convention Center, the Winnemucca Events Complex and participating Winnemucca businesses.
The Fair also has rounded up some very entertaining-and free-shows. "Jeff Rose: Amazing Concert Hypnotist" will perform on the Main Stage Outside. "The Rowdy Refs Family Fun Show" will return to the Fair along with newcomers "The Sensational Saxons" and the "Kerry Summers Variety Show."
Additionally, the "Spirit of Mexico" dancers and "Encore Dance Academy" are scheduled to perform. Visit www.LaborDayFair.com for dates and times.
On Friday, don't miss the seventh annual "Pig Wrestling Contest" in the Main Arena Outside at the Winnemucca Events Complex. The event will feature community teams getting "down and dirty" for charity. All proceeds are donated to local non-profit organizations chosen by the first- and second-place teams.
On Saturday, country superstar Chris Young will perform at the Winnemucca Event Center. Courtney Cole will open the show. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., Courtney Cole will perform at 7:30 p.m. with Chris Young following. Tickets range from $35 to $50 and are now on sale at www.winnemucca.com. Any remaining concert tickets will be sold the day of the event for cash only.
Sunday at 5 p.m., the Edge Pulling Series "Truck and Tractor Pulls" will return to the Winnemucca Events Complex. This head-pounding, drive-line-snapping, truck-pulling bonanza is a motorsport competition, which requires tractors and trucks to pull a heavy sledge (sled). You guessed it: the winner is the guy or gal who pulls the sledge farthest.
You can take part as a spectator or you can be a participant. Either way, you're going to have a great time, and next year you'll be back for more. Spectator tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 6-12; children ages 5 and under get in free.
For those who want to try their talent in the arena, local trucks are welcome. Full rules and information are available at http://www.labordayfair.com/TruckPulls.html.
There will be plenty for kids to do and see at this year's Fair, too. The Schoeppner Shows Carnival will provide this year's spin-you-till-you're-queasy fun from Thursday through Sunday.
Plus, contests for the kids will include the Pet Rock contest, and the Mini-Construction, the Create-a-Picture and the Write-a-Story contests, the Mutt Show contest and the return of the popular Coloring Contest. Coloring blanks are available at the Winnemucca Convention Center and the Humboldt County Extension Office or on the Fair's website at www.LaborDayFair.com.
This year will see the return of some Fair favorites, as well, including the Pie and Watermelon Eating and the Biggest Home Grown contests, as well as the return of the Wilton Cake Decorating Contest, in honor of Nevada's 150th birthday.
Saturday, the Great Basin Challenge will test rodeo skills for those from birth to age 12. Beginning at 12:30 p.m. in the Main Outdoor Arena, boys and girls will compete against each other in Mutton Bustin', Calf Riding and Junior Barrel Racing.
The top six contestants in Mutton Bustin', the top four in Calf Riding and the top five in Barrel Racing will then compete at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, also in the Main Outdoor Arena, right before the start of the Bulls & Broncs competition.
Sunday, beginning at 1 p.m. on the Main Stage Outside, young buckaroos will go head to head in Stick Horse Barrels and Dummy Roping.
Also Sunday, the 4-H Livestock Show and Sale will give this area's youngest livestock producers a chance to show off a year's worth of hard work.
But that's just the beginning of what is shaping up to be a spectacular Labor Day weekend.
The Western Art Roundup will celebrate 32 years of Western artists and craftsmen, cowboy poets and quick-draw sketchers who will pay tribute to those who settled the Great Basin.
Additionally, the Buckaroo Breakfast, held Saturday and Sunday morning from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., will once again return to the lawn in front of the West Hall Winnemucca Convention Center.
Of course, the annual Labor Day Parade will kick things off on Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m. The parade, which is sponsored by the Agricultural District No. 3, has been a Humboldt County mainstay for 93 years. This year's theme is "Happy Birthday Nevada."
Ag 3 Director Kim Petersen said entrants may interpret the theme as they see fit. "We just thought this would be a fun way for this year's participants to express themselves."
For more information on the 2014 Tri-County Fair & Stampede or its related events, please visit www.LaborDayFair.com.[[In-content Ad]]
