By BRENDA TENBOER
The Big Horn County Fair board of trustees met Monday evening in Basin and worked out a few remaining scheduling issues for the 2010 county fair.
Last month members decided to make some major schedule changes including moving the Jr. Livestock Sale to the new time slot of 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 6.
The 2010 Big Horn County Fair Parade, which begins at the Basin Library was moved to Friday afternoon at last month’s board meeting, but after further consideration was moved to 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Fairgrounds manager Howard Gernant said a few details still needed to be firmed up but that a complete list of events will be available soon.
Administrative assistant Vangi Hackney of Cowley produced a draft of the 2010 fair book, which she said will cost roughly $6 per book to print. That cost is up slightly from $5.50 last year even though Hackney worked to condense the book.
Hackney and Gernant are now working to sell advertising countywide to help cover costs to produce the 600 fair books.
Mitch Shelhamer said the rodeo should be bigger and better than last year.
“If things go according to plans, I’m hoping to have a lot more contestants and more events than team roping and barrel racing in the slack,” he said.
Mutton busting will likely be added to the list of events and take place immediately prior to the junior rodeo.
Shelhamer said a group of young sheep riders could be released from the chutes at one time.
Willie Bridges, vice-chairman, said mutton busting is a crowd favorite and a big spectator draw. The event is not timed and helmets are required.
Gernant reported the average fees charged for concessionaires such as electric bull operators average between $100 and $250 depending on whether electricity is required.
The board will make a decision on those fees at the next monthly meeting, which is 8 p.m. April 12, in Lovell.
Shelhamer said he is working to put together a business plan to be used for grant applications and funding requests, but because the fair is “a different sort of animal” than most businesses, he will rely on historical information and figures from the Hot Springs County Fair and others.
The beginning cash balance in the county fair checking account was -$2,652.12 but accounts receivable totaled $15,285. After the February bills were paid in the amount of $7,545.97 the remaining balance was $5,086.91.
Events scheduled in the main hall in March include an American Legion dinner March 13, Ag Expo March 19, 4-H carnival March 20, Farm Bureau banquet March 23, State Business Council March 24, Basin Chamber of Commerce swap meet March 27 and a wedding show on April 3.
The board also voted to allow Kelly Mercer to organize a prospect show and clinic for youth showing steers with the date to be announced at a later time.
The board members voted to end the regular session and convene into an executive session to discuss personnel matters and invited county Commissioner Jerry Ewen to join the meeting.