The El Paso County Fair celebrated its 99th year on July 24. The theme was “Farmania,” and the fair offered its traditional rodeo, 4-H livestock sale, demolition derby and carnival rides as well as new additions like “Big Air Extreme Motocross” and the heavy equipment rodeo. Young or old, there was something for everyone.Adults and kids enjoyed Farmer Brown’s Olde Tyme Farm: the first fairground live exhibit of its kind in the United States, consisting of pigs, a milk cow, two draft horses and farm equipment that were at least 100 years old. Children were husking, shelling and grinding the harvested corn using old-time machinery, proving that education could indeed be fun.Other big draws were the petting zoo, which included a zebra and baby kangaroo, and Berkley Kids’ Outdoor Park Aquarium where youngsters could fish for trout. All in one place, families enjoyed a myriad of activities, including a carnival, homemade ice cream, live entertainment, dancing, contests, motor sports and rodeos.The El Paso County Fair is tradition at its very best. Over the last couple of years, there has been controversy surrounding this wonderful, annual family event. There has been talk of moving the fair out of Calhan to the Penrose Equestrian Center in southeast Colorado Springs.Deb Galle, the assistant manager, hopes that doesn’t happen. “The fair belongs in Calhan,” Galle said. “It began here nearly 100 years ago and represents the roots of the county.” Galle has worked year round on the fair for ten years, and she is proud of the fair. Galle would like to see the fair moved under the guise of the El Paso County Park and Recreation Department; she believes the fair would be a great fit and an asset to the department.The fair averages 40,000 visitors during its two-week run. The rainy weather this year affected attendance, but the actual numbers were not yet calculated. Next year, the fair will celebrate its 100th anniversary, and it promised to be an event no one will want to miss.
