From the pages of
Pinedale Roundup
Volume 105, Number 30 - July 24, 2008
brought to you online by Pinedale Online

Chris Cagle set to headline county fair

by Jennie Oemig

The 2008 Sublette County Fair, which kicks off this Saturday with an open horse show and barrel racing, offers many new activities for the entire family, as well as live music provided by country music superstar Chris Cagle.

“It was a combination of one of my fair board members insisting on him and the rest being wishy-washy,” fair board manager Gary Kanski said of acquiring Cagle for the event.

The board was also fortunate that Cagle’s current tour promoting his new “Anywhere But Here” album had him in the vicinity during the time of the fair. With the Aug. 1 gig in Big Piney, Kanski said it worked out well with Cagle’s July 29 performance in Great Falls, Mont., and a show in Rifle, Colo., on Aug. 2.

“It was just luck,” Kanski said, adding that he anticipates a big turnout for the country singer’s concert. “ … Last year I think our crowd was 1,300 and I expect it to be larger than that.”

With the theme of this year’s fair being “S.E.T. Your Sights,” which focuses on science, engineering and technology, several new events have been added to the line-up. Some of those include a 4-H rocket contest, as well as a robotic challenge, motorcycle stunt-riding performances, IGX teen computer games and welding exhibits.

“We’re trying to help support that new initiative with the rockets, welding and robots,” he said.

Some other new events that might be of interest to fair-goers are the rough stock rodeo, open drawpot team roping, Frisbee dog shows, magic daredevil comedy shows and a Guitar Hero tournament.

“We have three new rodeo events,” Kanski noted. “We’re just trying to diversify ourselves a little bit … The magic daredevil comedy show is outrageous. People will be on the floor.”

Children will also have a place where they can enjoy some different activities in a place called Kid’s Town America.

“Kid’s Town America is built so that it’s basically for kids 10 and under,” said owner Linda Hulet, adding that it’s a great place for parents to enjoy time with their children as well. “ … It’s a whole area that’s free compliments of the fair.”

Some of the things that children can expect to find in Kid’s Town include a beanbag toss, hula-hoops, toy cars, building blocks, hand painting and musical instruments. With so many activities for kids to participate in, Hulet said she hopes Kid’s Town becomes a staple at the Sublette County Fair.

“Whenever I put it into a fair, it usually ends up there forever,” she said. “And each year we add a couple new things to it so it’s fresh.”

In addition to new events people can attend, Kanski also said the fair will have rides available to give the festivities more of a carnival feel.

“We’re just trying to mix things up a little bit,” he said.

With all of the new offerings, those who come to the fair will also be able to enjoy yearly events such as the pig wrestling and greased pig contest, the old hat and boot contest, the Dutch-oven cook-off, the costume pet show and the Sheriff’s Department dance.

“We still have our reliable stuff,” Kanski said.

Seeing as how residents in Pinedale have quite a drive before them if they plan on attending the fair, Kanski said he is grateful to have free transportation for those who don’t live in Big Piney or Marbleton.

“We’re pretty excited about the Sublink Stage doing a free shuttle,” he said.

With so much to offer, Kanski said he is hopeful that this year’s fair will be more successful than in recent years.

“I think things are going to turn out well,” he said. “ … I hope people come and enjoy the diversity of the fair this year. I think people are going to be interested in some of the new things.”

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