The Weld County Fair kicked off its 104th celebration on Saturday at the Island Grove Regional Park and Greeley Stampede Arena with events including a mounted shooting exhibition by the Colorado Regulators and the Northern Colorado Draft Horse Association Show.
Walking into the Event Center, the familiar “baaahhh” of goats flooded the building as people of all ages brought out their best animals for the Open Boer Goat Show.
Alexis Bingham, 12, brought out her 6-month American Boer Goat for the show. Bingham, who uses a wheelchair, led her animal into the pen and around the small arena while a steely-eyed judge watched the pair’s every move. Bingham was allowed an assistant in the ring to help her position her goat for the judge.
Along with watching how the young handlers took charge of their animal, each was asked a specific question about Boer goats and their care.
Alexis’s hard work in raising her Boer goat paid off as the young lady earned her a ribbon and many praises from the judge.
“When I was 8 years old, I wanted to do 4-H, but we couldn’t decide what I could do. So we decided that goats would be good,” Alexis said. “There’s lots of people that help me, and I like animals.”
Alexis plans to continue her journey into the animal world by becoming a veterinarian. She wants to attend Colorado State University to earn her degree in veterinary medicine so she can work with horses and other animals.
In the adjacent building, it was all about dogs, as kids of all ages brushed, primped and prepped their pooches in anticipation for their time in the ring.
Unlike the goat show, where pretty much one breed of goats were on display, the dog show featured a variety of canines including German shorthaired pointers, a Labrador, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and other interesting, rare breeds of dogs.
Waiting alongside her father, 15-year-old Ena Gibson patiently waited with her 2-year-old Tibetan terrier, Ivy. Tibetan terriers look like miniature versions of giant sheep dogs, including the long hair over their eyes.
Though it was her first trip to the Weld County Fair for a 4-H showing, Ena and her dog have participated in AKC competitions in the past.
Seeing all the different types of dogs is one of the things Ena enjoys about attending shows and fairs like the Weld County event.
“I think she also have fun,” Ena said as Ivey lovingly looked up at her young handler.
In the Greeley Stampede Arena, adults, teens and children with the Colorado Regulators mounted shooting group were wowing audience members with their skills of accuracy and horsemanship.
Mounted shooting is a team sport between a rider and their horse. The pair must complete a specific pattern around stations that feature balloons all while shooting the balloons. The pair is judged on accuracy of shooting, pattern completion and time.
Boer goat shows continue at 9:30 am Sunday in the Event Center, and things really get going on Monday when the gates open at 8 am for the 4-H Horse Show: Western Showmanship, Halter classes and English Division classes in the Greeley Stampede Arena.
The 104th Weld County Fair continues daily through Sunday, Aug. 31 at the Island Grove Regional Park and Events Center, 501 N. 14th Ave.
Parking and admission for the fair are free. For the safety of the animals and handlers, leave your pets at home. Service animals are allowed.
For more information, go to www.weldcountyfair.com.