Tabor Tiffany pursues dog-training dream
Garfield County Fair Board Member Duston Harris, scholarship recipient Tabor Tiffany, and Kati Ledall of the Two Rivers Community Foundation.
A scholarship through the Garfield County Fair & Rodeo royalty program is helping a Rifle High School graduate realize a dream of advancing her dog-training skills at a prestigious program in North Carolina. Tabor Tiffany has been awarded $1,500 to cover enrollment costs in Highland Canine Training, Inc.’s master trainer program, which costs $17,775 and provides hands-on experience in dog training. The master trainer program begins in January and offers training for police dogs, personal protection, drug detection, service dogs, basic obedience, and search and rescue, Tiffany told the Garfield County Fair Board. She’s been training dogs in 4-H since
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Join the Garfield County Fair Board
A collage of images from the Garfield County Fair & Rodeo demonstrating what the fair board oversees.
Garfield County Fair Board members are needed for 2023/2024 and future years. In collaboration with Garfield County Administration, volunteer fair board members assist in ensuring the successful promotion, production, and execution of the Garfield County Fair & Rodeo. The fair is held the last week of July most years. Fair board members serve three-year terms and the board typically meets the first Tuesday evening of each month, rotating between the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle and the Garfield County Administration Building in Glenwood Springs. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Oct. 10, 2023. Apply for the fair board
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Parade kicks off fair and rodeo fun on July 22
Paradegoers on Railroad Avenue in Rifle.
The 85th annual Garfield County Fair and Rodeo is ramping up the fun this year with a spectacular kick-off weekend beginning July 22. The always popular parade down Railroad Avenue in Rifle at 11 a.m. provides a festive start to the new Fair-a-Palooza event, which features shopping, food trucks, demonstrations, live music, dancing, comedy, and more from 12 to 8 p.m. at the Garfield County Fairgrounds. The excitement continues with the new ranch rodeo team competition that takes place on Sunday, July 23, and the always popular family rodeo on Tuesday, July 25. These events showcase our local talent and
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Garfield County sets 2023 fair and rodeo dates
A bull rider is tossed off the animal during the Xtreme Bulls event at the 2022 Garfield County Fair and Rodeo in Rifle, Colo.
The 2023 Garfield County Fair and Rodeo has been scheduled for July 23 – 30 at the fairgrounds in Rifle. The Board of County Commissioners approved the dates, which were formally recommended by the Garfield County Fair Board. Garfield County Fairgrounds and Events Manager Chris Floyd told the board that July 23-30 struck the best balance between all aspects of scheduling the annual event. The fair board’s selected dates best meet with the scheduling of vendors and ticketed event talent. “It’s like trying to align the stars to best meet everybody’s needs and availability,” he said. “This year, the fair
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2022 Garfield County fair book
Cover image from the 2022 Garfield County Fair and Rodeo fair book. showing two farm kids walking down a dirt road.
The official 2022 Garfield County Fair and Rodeo book is now available, featuring event schedules and all the information you need on 4-H, sponsors, royalty, and more. Packed with colorful photographs from past fair events and participants, it’s something you won’t want to miss. Fair book
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Garfield County Fair and Rodeo saddles up for Big & Rich
Saddle up your horses because the Garfield County Fair and Rodeo is going big in 2022. Country music sensation Big & Rich is headlining this year’s annual concert on Aug. 5, in what is sure to be a wild night filled with dancing, singing, and boot-stomping. Singer-songwriter Jennifer Belle is kicking off the fun at the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle, Colo. Tickets went on sale on www.garfieldcountyfair.com on April 15, at 8 a.m., and are sure to sell out fast. Known as America’s “Technicolor Cowboys,” Big Kenny Alphin and John Rich (Big & Rich) first took the country music
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Floyd named new fairgrounds and events manager
New Garfield County Fair and Events Manager Chris Floyd in the grandstands at the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle.
Chris Floyd has taken the reins as the new Garfield County fairgrounds and events manager, following 15 years of experience working for state parks departments in Georgia, Texas, and Wyoming on historic sites, outdoor recreation, and facilities management. Floyd managed the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Office and was a parks district manager and superintendent there since 2016. He’s experienced with large events, including the Fort Bridger Mountain Man Rendezvous, which welcomes between 25,000 and 30,000 people over Labor Day weekend annually. He said he cherishes the interactions with attendees and has always felt a strong dedication to public service. “Public service
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Garfield County CSU Extension celebrates busy 2021
The Garfield County Colorado State University Extension Office experienced a flurry of activity in 2021, including more than 330 volunteer hours from Master Gardeners and partnering with the Garfield County Fair and Rodeo’s 4-H Junior Livestock Sale, which raised a record amount. The livestock sale featured a huge increase in entries at 1,058, which was up from 614 in 2020. The sales broke records as it returned to an in-person event, bringing in $742,578, up from $300,809 in 2020 and $473,583 in 2019. “This past year was probably our record-breaking livestock sale at the fair, with more than $742,000 coming
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Familiar faces returning to county’s fair board
Bull riding at the Garfield County Fair and Rodeo in 2021.
Garfield County has reappointed Klayton Costanzo and Duston Harris to the fair board and is welcoming back Eileen Sheets, who served on the board in recent years. Costanzo and Harris, who served this year as fair board president and vice president, respectively, and Sheets are returning for three-year terms, which run until Oct. 15, 2024. “I think Klayton and Duston have served admirably, and I would like to have them continue,” said Commissioner Mike Samson. “Eileen has done a great job for us in the past.” The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) also approved the dates for the 84th annual
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Three acts highlight 2021 Garfield County Fair and Rodeo concert
Good times, boot stompin’ and western dancing return to the Garfield County Fair and Rodeo this summer. The Friday night concert is back with three of country music’s brightest stars, Aaron Watson, Michael Ray and Chancey Williams, performing under starry skies and the shine of fairground lights in Rifle. Reconnect to the community, visit with friends, sing, and dance with these country music sensations on Friday, July 30, at the Garfield County Fairgrounds. Williams starts the fun off at 6:30 p.m., followed by Ray at 8 p.m. and Watson at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale Monday, June 7, at
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Garfield County Fair and Rodeo builds momentum
The Garfield County Fair and Rodeo returns to the fairgrounds in Rifle this summer, bringing back all the fun and excitement, including the demolition derby, rodeo action, monster trucks, Friday night concert and much, much more. The fair and rodeo takes place from July 27 through Aug. 1 and the musical acts are being announced in early June. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Xtreme Bulls and PRCA/Women’s Pro Rodeo Association (WPRA) are slated for Wednesday, July 28 and Thursday, July 29, respectively, and both events begin at 7 p.m. The annual concert takes place on Friday night, July 30,
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Garfield County appoints two to fair board
Garfield County has appointed Tyler Davis and Leah Bergener to the Garfield County Fair Board, filling the two final unoccupied seats heading into a busy 2021. Five applicants interviewed with the Board of County Commissioners for the two open seats. The terms on the fair board run through Oct. 15, 2022, and both new board members are representing the Rifle area. The 83rd annual Garfield County Fair and Rodeo takes place this year from July 27 through Aug. 1. Davis is a Rifle High School graduate who attended Colorado Mesa University, earning degrees in management and marketing. His interest in
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Garfield County Fair and Rodeo schedule set
The main event schedule is set for the 83rd annual Garfield County Fair and Rodeo, which includes its customary lineup of rodeo excitement, demolition derby, monster truck show, Friday night concert and much more. This year’s theme is “Roaring into the ‘20s,” an homage to the resilience of our people and the great agricultural heritage of western Colorado. The family and kids rodeo takes place on Tuesday, July 27; the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Xtreme Bulls is Wednesday, July 28; the PRCA/Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) ProRodeo and Veterans’ Appreciation Night rides into town on Thursday, July 29; the
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Join the Garfield County Fair Board
Garfield County Fair Board members are needed for the remainder of 2021 and future years. Volunteer fair board members assist in ensuring the successful promotion, production and execution of the Garfield County Fair & Rodeo. Fair board members serve three-year terms and the deadline to apply is Feb. 1.  
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Garfield County Fair Board appoints new chairs
The Garfield County Fair Board has named its new president, vice president and sub-committee chairs. Klayton Costanzo was elected board president, Duston Harris named vice president and Kate Lewis returns as secretary. The fair board also named Lisa Nieslanik the Livestock Marketing Committee president and Kim Wilkie is back at the helm as Garfield County Fair and Rodeo Open Class chair. “I am honored and humbled for this new role within such a great board. I want to thank Levy Burris for his veteran leadership and his continued involvement and overall dedication to the fair and rodeo,” Costanzo said. “I
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Junior Livestock Sale is July 30 – Aug. 1
The Junior Livestock Show by 4-H and FFA youth of their prize-winning livestock, rabbits and poultry takes place this week at the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle, though organizers are holding the events solely online as a COVID-19 safety measure. Participating youth created videos of themselves with their animals and uploaded them to Fair Entry to be judged. All in-person events have been canceled at this year’s Garfield County Fair and Rodeo, but interested buyers can still participate in the livestock sale and help reward the local 4-H kids for their hard work in raising various livestock and other animals,
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Join the Garfield County Fair Board
Applications are being taken through March 31 for anyone interested in joining the Garfield County Fair Board, which oversees the promotion, production and execution of the annual Garfield County Fair and Rodeo. This year’s fair and rodeo takes place July 27- Aug. 2.
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County expands fair board meeting site options
GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. – The Garfield County Fair Board may now hold its meetings at any properly posted meeting site, including the Rifle Administration Building’s first floor conference room. The fair board meetings were previously held at the Garfield County Fairgrounds and in the administration building in Glenwood Springs exclusively. The extra venue options allow flexibility for the board’s monthly meetings, which occur on the first Tuesday of every month. The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) decided to update the language in the fair board’s bylaws to include that meetings may take place in any properly posted location. “I think
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Trace Adkins to headline Garfield County Fair and Rodeo
GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Something’s going on at the Garfield County Fairgrounds on Friday, Aug. 2, as country music star Trace Adkins brings his iconic voice and electric stage performance to the 81st annual Garfield County Fair and Rodeo concert. Joe Nichols is slated as special guest earlier in the evening. Tickets are on sale to the general public at 12 p.m. on Friday, March 22. A special ticket presale takes place for Trace Adkins Fan Club members at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19. An additional presale for email subscribers to the Garfield County Fair and Rodeo and Monumental
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Evans named new Garfield County fair and events coordinator
GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Garfield County has named Cassidy Evans its new fair and events coordinator, which oversees the annual Garfield County Fair and Rodeo. The New Mexico native brings a wealth of experience, southwestern roots and an upbringing in 4-H to the role. Evans was most recently director of catering and conference services at Mountain Shadows Resort in Scottsdale, AZ. Evans grew up in Truth or Consequences, NM, and then moved to Las Cruces, before settling in a small town in rural western New Mexico. “We moved out to a ranch in a town called Datil, NM, which was
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Four appointed to Garfield County Fair Board
GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. – Four previously open seats on the Garfield County Fair Board have been filled, after the Board of County Commissioners approved three new appointees, and welcomed back an existing board member, whose term had ended. Rifle’s Duston Harris was reappointed after having served for the past three years, which is the usual term length on the fair board. The three new appointees include Megan DeNev Wussow, representing Missouri Heights (Carbondale); Shannon Stowe, Rifle; and Klayton Costanzo, Silt. Wussow’s term is one year, while Stowe and Costanzo’s terms run for three years apiece, ending Oct. 15, 2021. The
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Buy tickets for Garfield County Fair & Rodeo from designated source
GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Secure seats for country music star Jon Pardi and special guest Midland at the Garfield County Fair & Rodeo, as well as for the professional circuit rodeos, demo derby and monster truck event online at garfieldcountyfair.com only. Tickets for the Garfield County Fair & Rodeo concert, PRCA ProRodeo (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association), PRCA Xtreme Bulls, demolition derby and monster truck show are selling fast after their June 1st release for the fair July 30 – August 5. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission put out an international warning for ticket scams and identity theft regarding event tickets,
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ACM and CMA award winner Jon Pardi to headline Garfield County Fair and Rodeo concert
GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Garfield County Fair & Rodeo attendees will go “Head Over Boots” for this year’s concert headliner, breakthrough country music singer and songwriter Jon Pardi. The reigning Country Music Association’s (CMA) “New Artist of the Year,” and Academy of Country Music’s (ACM) “New Male Vocalist of the Year,” Pardi’s most recent album, “California Sunrise,” is certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, and is nominated for the ACM “Album of the Year.” Pardi’s talents as singer, co-producer and songwriter are in full display
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Grits and Glamour coming to Garfield County Fair
GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – The dynamic country duo of Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan is bringing their “Grits and Glamour” show to the Garfield County Fair and Rodeo. The concert takes place Aug. 4 at the fairgrounds, in Rifle, Colo. Tickets go on sale June 1 at 12:01 a.m. at garfieldcountyfair.com>. Grits and Glamour was formed in 2009, and features a unique show that has wowed fans across the globe. The friendship between the “Dos Divas” has blossomed through this collaboration, and their shows reflect that camaraderie. Off-the-cuff remarks, tales from country music lore, and some humble, self-deprecating humor is
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Scotty McCreery to play Garfield County Fair and Rodeo
GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Country music star and “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery will headline the 79th annual Garfield County Fair and Rodeo this summer. The concert is Friday, August 4, and tickets go on sale June 1 at 12:01 a.m. at garfieldcountyfair.com. The concert is sponsored by Alpine Bank, Parr Sound and Lighting, Jay’s Steak House, and KMTS. The Garfield County Fair and Rodeo takes place July 31 through August 6, at the fairgrounds in Rifle, Colo. In 2016, the fairgrounds shattered its all-time concert attendance record, with nearly 3,500 tickets sold. McCreery is riding a wave of success
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Chris Janson added to lineup of performers for Garfield County Fair
GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Chris Janson, who played the Grand Ole Opry May 3, has been added to the lineup for the Garfield County Fair August 5. Janson received iHeartRadio’s Music Award for Country Song of the Year in 2015, and was also recently nominated for two Academy of Country Music Awards, including Single Record of the Year and New Male Vocalist of the Year. Janson hits the stage August 5, 2016, at 7 pm, at the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle, Colo., followed by Josh Turner on the main stage, in a concert that could break all records for
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Popular country music star Josh Turner headlines the 2016 Garfield County Fair & Rodeo concert
GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Josh Turner, a multi-platinum MCA Nashville recording artist, headlines the 2016 Garfield County Fair & Rodeo concert, announced Garfield County and concert promoter, KMTS, Tuesday. Turner is one of country music’s most recognizable hit makers. With a rich, deep voice and distinctive style, Turner has sold more than 12 million units, is a disciple of traditional country music, and one of the youngest members of the Grand Ole Opry. From his 2003 Platinum-selling debut Long Black Train to his most recent 2012 Billboard No. 1 release Punching Bag, Turner has garnered multiple GRAMMY, Country Music Association
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Garfield County Fair and Communications Department awards
GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Garfield County Fair & Rodeo has received several national awards for elements from its promotional strategy for the fair. Western Fairs Association has honored Garfield County Fair’s logo with a first place award, the fair website with a second place award, a fair television commercial with second place, and third place for the fair’s 2015 poster in the category of fairs with 50,000 attendance or less. Founded in 1922 and incorporated in 1945, Western Fairs Association (WFA) is a nonprofit trade association serving the fair industry throughout the western United States and Canada. The primary objective
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Country music artist Gary Allan to headline the 2015 Garfield County Fair & Rodeo
GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – The Garfield County Fair & Rodeo, along with partnering concert sponsor KMTS, is pleased to announce that country music star Gary Allan will headline the main concert August 7! A fixture in the country music industry for nearly two decades, Gary Allan has sold more than seven million albums throughout his career. His albums have been certified platinum and gold five times in a row, and he topped the Billboard Country Albums Chart with a trio of back-to-back albums. His latest album “Set you Free” topped both the Billboard Country Albums Chart and the Billboard 200
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Country music artist Gary Allan to headline the 2015 Garfield County Fair & Rodeo
GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – The Garfield County Fair & Rodeo, along with partnering concert sponsor KMTS, is pleased to announce that country music star Gary Allan will headline the main concert August 7! A fixture in the country music industry for nearly two decades, Gary Allan has sold more than seven million albums throughout his career. His albums have been certified platinum and gold five times in a row, and he topped the Billboard Country Albums Chart with a trio of back-to-back albums. His latest album “Set you Free” topped both the Billboard Country Albums Chart and the Billboard 200
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Clay Walker, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Professional Bull Riders to headline Garfield County Fair
GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Multi-Platinum selling music superstar Clay Walker will headline the Garfield County Fair concert Friday, August 8, 2014. As a true fan favorite with a devoted legion of followers across the country, Clay Walker has sold over 11 million albums, and has had 11 No. 1 hit singles, four RIAA Platinum and two Gold certified albums under his belt. His most recent ninth studio album, She Won’t Be Lonely Long, received critical praise from fans and media alike. In addition to presenting Clay Walker, the 2014 Garfield County Fair will feature two other sorts of top level
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New members approved for the Garfield County Fair & Rodeo Board
GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – There’s quite a bit of interest in the county fair these days. Interest in serving on the Garfield County Fair & Rodeo Board is so high that the board recently expanded to include nine members, the maximum called for by its current bylaws. The fair board and county staff work diligently all year long planning and executing the Garfield County Fair, slated for August 4-10, 2014. The current fair board recommended four new members to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) March 17. The commissioners approved John “Brock” Hedberg, Kelly Porter, Rick Shaffer, and Doug Teter.
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Enhanced fairgrounds facilities complete for 75th Anniversary Garfield County Fair and Rodeo
GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – The dust has settled under a bright and shiny new parking lot surrounding the Garfield County Fairgrounds outdoor arena. While decades of horse, bull and bronc riders have pounded the grounds, preparing for the best times in the show arena, the dust rising into the sky from well-lit arenas will only be from grandstand events, not the parking lot. Now the trucks, campers and well-stocked trailers arriving for the 75th Anniversary Garfield County Fair will park on brand new asphalt. Frontier Paving employees and sub-contractors spent the summer managing dirt work and paving, as well as
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2011 Fair Royalty Contest
The deadline to apply is October 27. Following is the agenda for the October 30 contest: Garfield County contestant guide 2011 Fair Royalty application Contest Schedule (Subject to change) Garfield County Fairgrounds October 30, 2010 10 am – Meet at the North Hall* 10:15 am – Personal interviews & written test Noon – Speech and impromptu questions 2 pm – Break for lunch 3 pm – Groom & saddle for horsemanship when asked by judges 4 pm – Horsemanship Pattern Hot Lap Flag Carrying 5:30 pm Awards * Contestants will be judged starting at 10 am. At this time, parents
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