TREMONTON – Every year the Box Elder County Fair and Golden Spike Rodeo is a big hit with thrill seekers, kids raising livestock, crafters, artists, hungry folks with big appetites and people looking for a good deal.
The fairgrounds have been packed with people during the afternoons and evenings.
Christina Parker, a member of the Grace Bible Church, was one of the congregation members handing out iced bottled water to anyone who wanted a drink during the heat of the day.
The fair food stands were all packed with people making their way to a shady spot to enjoy their snacks.
Shaun D. Christensen, a hypnotist, entertained a packed crowd under the shelter at the Band Stand by convincing volunteers their hands were superglued together. They were all convinced they couldn’t separate their hands.
Christensen is a Utah-based hypnotherapist and author who provides both entertainment and therapeutic hypnosis.
There is still a schedule of entertainers ready to take the stage at various times during the fair.
Lynette Crockett, public information officer for Box Elder County, said they get a lot of support from Rich, Cache, Weber and other counties. The fair has also attracted people from Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada and other states.
She said the Box Elder County Fair is what a good fair should be. It is one of the last of the good county fairs. There aren’t a lot that are as big as Box Elder’s and bring in as many people from outside and inside the county.
There is still time to enjoy Utah’s best county fair and rodeo. From the time people step onto the grounds, they should feel the energy of a community that works hard, plays hard, and celebrates together like no other.
The Box Elder Golden Spike Rodeo is always a sold-out event Wednesday through Saturday.
The rodeo attracts some of the most outstanding cowboys and cowgirls as well as the best rodeo livestock the industry has to offer. And the stands are packed with the best fans in northern Utah.
The kids showing livestock are every parent’s shining moment as they take their animal to be judged.
Generally, there are over 400 vendors on the grounds selling anything imaginable and any kind of food to feed even for the hungriest person.
City of Fun Carnival knows how to spice up the fair with their carnival rides and concessions.
But the most special thing about the Box Elder County Fair and Rodeo is their livestock auction. Last year the livestock auction for the FFA and 4-H animals paid out over $2 million to those who raised animals.
The Box Elder County Farm Bureau offices led by Northern Utah Farm Bureau President Jeff Kent and the Fair Celebration Committee originally set out to feed 100 families last year. It went crazy; last year they fed 660 families.
“It was very successful last year,” he said. “With the money and food we collected this year we should be able to feed 780 families.”
When you can feed 780 people that’s great, but when you can feed 780 families that is even better, Kent said.
“I really feel good about what we are doing,” Kent said. “We have a lot of support from area businesses and individuals that make this possible.”
He said they work well with Cary Hunsaker at the Tremonton Food Pantry. Last week they delivered a pallet of hamburger for families in the county.
“It’s a real blessing to live in a community of people that are so giving,” he said. “We hope to keep this going as long as we have so many willing to help.”
He said they have flyers and a banner with names of those who helped at the Farm Bureau burger stand.
The Box Elder County Fair is home to the Golden Spike PRCA Rodeo and Junior Livestock of Box Elder County, where agriculture, rodeo, youth achievement, family tradition and hometown pride come together for one unforgettable summer week.
In total, there are four nights of PRCA Rodeo, JRBOX Livestock Shows and Auction, live Bandstand Entertainment, City of Fun Carnival rides, 4-H and Open-Class Exhibits, Fair Food, Antique Machinery, the Fair Parade, Draft Horse Shows, Judge Horsemanship, a 5k and all the people and traditions that make Box Elder County home.