Elko County Fair – Celebrating 99 Years
August 23 – September 2
www.elkocountyfair.com
ABOUT US
The Elko County Fair is an annual event put on by a group of dedicated volunteers, hard-working competitors and generous businesses and individuals who sponsor the events. It’s managed by a citizen board of directors appointed by the Elko County Commissioners. The Board is responsible for the event itself, as well as for year-round operations of the historic 40-acre Fairgrounds where the Fair is held. The Board is supported by two year-round staff people, as well as temporary staff brought on for the summer months. The Fair itself draws approximately 25,000-30,000 people annually; other events held at the Fairgrounds draw another 30,000 people over the course of the year.
HISTORY OF THE FAIR
The Elko County Agricultural District #4 was established by the Nevada Legislature early in the 20th century, and the first Elko County Fair was held September 16-18, 1920. The goal of the Fair and the agricultural district was to promote agriculture and the local economy by production of an annual fair and exposition highlighting local products and industries. For the first seven years of the Fair, the Fair Board struggled to find a permanent site for the event, hosting the Fair at the Garcia Rodeo Grounds on the east edge of Elko and (once) in Wells. The Fair was canceled twice during that time, once due to an outbreak of hoof-and-mouth disease, and once to save money for the construction of permanent facilities. That conversation paid off, as the City of Elko acquired part of the old China Ranch in 1927 and 1928 to develop the facility- approximately $650,000 in today’s money – and has continued to expand the facility and produce the Fair every year in the nearly 100 years since.
These days, the Fair Board works to balance the historical nature of the event with the growing and changing population of Elko County. The Fair remains, at its core, an agricultural celebration, but now features a wide variety of attractions for modern families. The Fair will celebrate its centennial year next year (2020).
FUN AT THE FAIR
The Elko County Fair has been mixing families and fun for 99 years! We have entertainment and events for everybody in the family – crafts and critters, the (NEW) carnival and fair food, live horse racing, live music, the stockhorse show, and MORE! New this year – Elko’s’ Got Talent, America’s talent search for hot new county musicians! Send out the summer with a big, winning smile – Labor Day Weekend at the Elko County Fair!
GUEST INFORMATION
So much to see… so much to do! Our web site is elkocountyfair.com. This is where you can get your hands on the tickets to the Fair! We also have a schedule of events you can enjoy at the Fair as well as a map showing where all the excitement is happening. We’ve even got lodging information for our out-of-town guest, though you might have a challenge finding time to sleep with all of the fair fun going on!
HOW TO ENTER
Make it, bake it, grow it, show it! The BEST way to enjoy the Fair is as an exhibitor! The web site is where you can get information on entering any of the hundreds of contests at he Fair… from home arts exhibits, to the stock horse show, horse racing, the parade, the family fun competitions and more. There’s a contest for everybody at the Elko County Fair!
Elko County Fair Events
Horse Racing, USTRC Team Roping, Team Branding, Elko Lions Club Parade
Cowboy Color Chase 5K, Western Dances, Home Arts & 4-H
Working Cow Horse Events, Family Fun Stage, Carnival, Elko’s Got Talent Show
Sagebrush Cutters Cutting, NRCHA Approved Show, Commercial Vendors, Barrel Racing
NEW Carnival this year!
Family Fun Stage everyday from 12-4pm. Behind the exhibit building.
