Carbon County Fair a success for 2023

This year’s Carbon County Fair exceeded expectations in a variety of ways, according to Fair Board Chairman Bobbie Herman.

“Our fair went really, really well. We had a huge turnout for the rodeo. I think that’s the biggest one I’ve ever seen and I think that was due to it being a professional rodeo, the first one in about 30 or 40 years,” said Herman. “Then we had our concert (and) we had a pretty decent turnout for it.”

The rodeo this year was organized by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the largest rodeo organization in the world according to its website. The organization sanctions events in the United States, Canada and Mexico all ending with the National Finals Rodeo. Meanwhile, the concert this year was Texas-based singer-songwriter Aaron Watson.

Beyond the rodeo and concert, Herman believes the fair went quite well this year, which she credits to Julie Webb. One aspect the board chairman was especially pleased with was the organization of the food vendor midway. Along with the concession stand, food trucks from throughout the county were set up at the fairgrounds all week.

“I noticed around noon those vendors were incredibly busy and it was a lot of people just stopping by for lunch from work. They knew there was a lot of variety there and they could get about whatever they wanted,” said Herman. “That was something that was a positive change.”

It was also a great year for the junior livestock sale, held on the Friday of fair week every year.

This year, the grand champion market steer was sold for $45 per pound to Perkins Oil Company, which Herman said is the highest she’s ever seen.

“I don’t think that happens anywhere else in the state. I don’t think anybody’s probably even come close to that,” said Herman. “Carbon County has always had a phenomenal livestock sale and to get $45 a pound for the grand champion is mindblowing.”

The grand total in sales was impressive as well at $713,349.25. The average price for steer was $8.29 per pound this year while swine was $19.05 per pound and sheep was $22.46 per pound.

“Our sale averages were really good this year. They always are, but when you look at the economy right now, some people are pretty heavily affected by that and our buyers keep showing up for these kids,” said Herman. “It’s just amazing.”

In fact, businesses and organizations in Carbon County show their support for the fair and the competitors beyond the junior livestock sale. This year, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County and the Bank of Commerce hosted an exhibitor breakfast on the Wednesday of fair week. This is a change from the past where either a lunch or dinner was hosted by such sponsors.

“That was just a super nice thing to do for the kids. They’re getting up early, getting animals ready and doing chores,” said Herman. “Usually, the concessions stand and things don’t open until around 9 a.m. so they fed all the kids and their families that morning.”

Herman said she can’t make exact comparisons to other county fairs in the state, many of which take place the same time as Carbon County, but she was pleased with the result of the 97th

Carbon County Fair.

Now to prepare for number 98.