LOCAL

Otero County kicks off 78th annual Fair and Rodeo

Tara Melton
Alamogordo Daily News
This goat smiles from a corral Tuesday afternoon as residents prepare their livestock for the 78th Otero County Fair and Rodeo.

ALAMOGORDO — Many residents were busy Tuesday prepping the Otero County Fairgrounds for the 78th annual Fair and Rodeo. 

Festivities kick off Wednesday with the goat show at 9 a.m., a swine show at 6 p.m. and the ranch rodeo at 7 p.m. 

On Thursday, a lamb show will be at 9 a.m., a steer show at 6 p.m., ranch rodeo at 7 p.m. Live entertainment on Thursday includes Go Axe Alice from 5 to 7 p.m. and Johnny Mack from 7 to 10 p.m. 

On Friday, the Kiwanis Kick-Off Pancake Breakfast will be from 6 to 9 a.m., the Fair and Rodeo Queens' Coronation will be at 7 p.m. and the rodeo will start at 8 p.m. KRSY will host a Country Street Dance at 10 p.m. 

Live entertainment on Friday includes Sky and Ed from 6 to 8 p.m., Catfishfry from 8 to 10 p.m. and James Ellington from 10 to 11 p.m.

Joan Nussbaum, president of the High Canyon Weavers and Spinners Guild, works to set up their booth at the 78th Otero County Fair and Rodeo Saturday.

On Saturday, a horseshoe tournament will be at 9 a.m., livestock pee wee showmanship contest at 11 a.m., awards at 1 p.m., junior livestock sale at 6 p.m. and rodeo at 8 p.m. KRSY will host a Country Street Dance at 10 p.m. 

Live entertainment on Saturday includes Rick O'Shay from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Rudy Wood from 1 to 3 p.m., Julia Cosby from 4 to 6 p.m., Catfishfry from 7 to 9 p.m. and James Ellington from 9 to 11 p.m. 

On all of these days, Frontier Village and the amusement rides will be open from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. 

Bennett's Amusement Inc., works to set up their rides Tuesday afternoon.

"It's a nice time for the community to come out, be together and support locals," said Administrative Assistant Tammy Underwood. "We encourage people to come out, enjoy our county fair. Come out and see the rodeo and ranch rodeo. The nice thing about the pavilion is if we get any rain, there's plenty of room for people to get underneath it. We'll have tables for sitting, music, rides – there's going to be a lot to do."

New this year, attendees will be able to pay at the gate via debit or credit cards. Thursday, Friday and Saturday admittance is $4 from those 13 years and older, $3 for kids 6 to 12 years old, and free for kids 5 and younger as well as senior citizens 62 and older.

There is no gate fee to enter the fair Wednesday, but the Otero County Fair Association is asking visitors to bring non-perishable food items or a monetary donation to benefit the Otero Hunger Coalition.

For more information, call the Otero County Fair Association office at 434-0788 or visit their website at www.oterofair.com.

Otero County Master Gardeners have an entire booth worth of plants for visitors to purchase.