Fair board adds two new horse events to 2025 fair

Amie Hatch proposed adding two horse classes for fair. The first class was a two-handed snaffle bit class for 2- to 5-year-old horses. She suggested that this class be held on Monday of fair week so the horses could go home after the show. 

Fair board member Tucker McKim asked if the young horses would leave before the public starts to arrive. Hatch said yes. 

The second class a ranch trail class. “I’ve had a lot of comments from parents saying they would like to see more of the ranch style classes at fair,” said Hatch. “That is not going to be anything that is going to count toward state fair.” This class would be on Tuesday with older horses. She provided rules and sample patterns. 

Later in the meeting, the board asked Big Horn County 4-H Extension educator Gretty Gasvoda her thoughts. She said she supported it. The board voted to add the classes. 

Gasvoda said there would be a cat show this year. It will be July 17. The normal dog show will be July 18. 

FAIR THEME 

The fair board is looking for ideas for the 2025 fair theme. They are opening it up to the public for suggestions. The ideas should be emailed to fair@bighorncountywy.gov or call the fair office at 307-568-2968. The 2025 fair dates are July 28-Aug. 3. The person whose theme is chosen will win fair apparel. 

FAIR BOOK DEDICATION

There was some discussion about dedicating of the fair book. One name that was mentioned was Howard Gernant. Gasvado suggested waiting until after the first of year. There is a list of people that passed in the last year in the three Big Horn County newspapers. The board will revisit the dedication after the first of the year. 

2025 FAIR EVENTS 

One possible event could be pig racing. The racing would be a grandstand event. Gasvoda said it is a hit in other towns. 

Fair manager Catherine Voss also suggested a concert with ZZ-3. The fee would be $5,000 plus a room. She saw ZZ-3 at the Rocky Mountain Fair Association conference. 

An event idea that came from the local FFA advisors was to hold FFA Olympics in the midway. There would be a traveling trophy. A possibility would be to hold the first one at the fair’s winter carnival. 

Instead of blow-up toys, the board is considering a company that provides a laser maze and putt-putt golf. 

One idea that came from the conference was a bubble/foam pit. Foss said she would research prices. The foam pit also comes with a climbing wall. 

OTHER BUSINESS 

• No minutes were available since September as the board hasn’t met. 

• The board discussed adding a corporate sponsorship to the current sponsorship list. The item was tabled for more discussion. 

• Fair board members terms that are expiring are Rebecca Bates and Tracy Haley. Ads ran in the papers announcing the open positions. 

• Fair apparel is available for purchase. Hats, shirts, stickers, hoodies, and sweatshirts. Foss will post pictures and prices on the fair’s Facebook page.