Eagle County Fair and Rodeo starts Saturday, serving up slew of friendly competitions

Eagle County's 72nd annual Fair & Rodeo is set for July 23 – 31 and CSU Cooperative Extension is offering ways for all community members to join in the fun. Several friendly competitions are scheduled during the Fair portion of the event. For more information on any of the contests listed below, call 970-328-8630.

Largest Zucchini Contest
Monday, July 25 at the Eagle River Center
Registration: Drop off zucchinis between noon and 6 p.m.

This is a special class just for fun that will be judged separately from the classes in the garden department. Zucchinis will be judged by weight.

Cookie Jar Contest
Wednesday, July 27 at the Eagle River Center
Registration: 6 - 6:45 p.m.
Judging: 7 p.m.

Be sure to enter the Cookie Jar Contest, sponsored by CSU Extension. Get creative and decorate a half gallon container, made of recycled, food-safe materials, and place one dozen delicious homemade cookies inside. Put three additional cookies on a paper plate and cover with a zip-top bag; these are the cookies the judges will taste. The theme this year is “Old Fashioned Fun.”

Judging will be based on creativity of the container and the flavor, texture and appearance of cookies. You may be the lucky winner of a brand new cookie jar.

High Altitude Artisan Bread Bake-Off
Thursday, July 28 at the Eagle River Center
Registration: 4 - 6:15 p.m.
Judging: 6:30 p.m.

Enter your quick, yeast or starter bread in the High Altitude Artisan Bread Bake-Off sponsored by Red Canyon Café. Place the bread in a paper bag or on a paper plate and cover with a zip-top bag or foil. Include your recipe; no bread machines allowed. The winning contestant will receive a high-end bread knife donated by Red Canyon Café in Eagle.

Pretty Baby Contest
Saturday, July 30
Registration: 9 a.m. at the Eagle River Center
Contest: 10 a.m.

Any child up to three years old may enter the Pretty Baby Contest. Parents can dress their little tykes in western attire for a chance to win the “Best Dressed for the Fair” contest. Or, maybe the child resembles one of the parents enough to win the “Looks Most Like Mom/Pop” category. Other categories include “Best Beach Wear Ensemble,” “Best Hairdo,” “Prettiest Smile in Eagle County,” and “Most Patriotic.” Contestants can enter all six categories, but can only win once. Winners in each category will receive a $50 savings bond.

Salsa Tasting Contest
Saturday, July 30 at the Eagle River Center
Registration: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Judging: 3:30 p.m.

Categories:
1. Best Restaurant/Professional
2. Best Amateur
3. Best Hot Salsa

Enter your homemade fresh salsa and let the people of Eagle County decide who really has the best around. Enter three, 1-quart jars of salsa, made within 72 hours of entry. Include a name, address, phone number and a list of ingredients with all containers. Label salsa mild or hot. No prepared spice mixes of salsa may be entered. Entries must be entirely homemade, although the use of individual canned ingredients, such as canned tomatoes, is acceptable. All entries will be inspected prior to the contest. Those who enter salsa in one division are unable to enter the other division.

The winner of the professional division will receive a plaque to display in their restaurant. Separate prizes will be given to the amateur winner and “Best Hot Salsa” winner. Judging will be “people's choice” with votes provided by the visitors to the Eagle County Fair & Rodeo at 3:30 p.m.

Make plans to attend the 72nd annual Eagle County Fair and Rodeo, July 23 through 30. Vist www.eaglecounty.us/fairrodeo for a complete schedule of events.