Overview: A fair and rodeo is an Old West tradition, and the one in Eagle County is no exception. The Eagle County Fair has been ongoing each year for 70 years! New events are added and older events spruced up, for an ever-changing experience.

When: Late July to early August each year.

Where: Eagle County Fairgrounds

Fees: Fees and ticket prices vary

Details: An annual attraction is the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo, a fair favorite. There is a trade show, riding clinics, roping lessons and much more. For the little ones there is a Cowboys for Kids Extreme Junior Dummy Roping event. When going to the Fair, be sure to pick up a schedule so you don’t miss out on a thing. Look for the Extreme Cowboy Race for a view of daring horsemanship in action.

In 2009, two events were added to the itinerary. There was the barbecue contest sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society and a Micro Brew sampling event with live music and other entertainment. Attendees were even able to buy quantities of both the barbecue and the beer after the events.

Getting to the Fair

It’s simple to arrive at the Eagle County Fair.

From Denver or Vail, you take I-70 West. When you see the Eagle exit, get off and go left on Eby Creek Road. Then go right on Chambers and left on Fairgrounds Road. The grounds are on the left side of the road.

If coming from Grand Junction or Glenwood Springs, take I-70 East and take the Eagle exit. Go right on Eby Creek Road. Then go right on Chambers and left on Fairgrounds Road. The grounds are on the left side of the road.

What You’ll See at the Fair Rodeo

Enjoy the excitement of the competition at the rodeo. It’s thrilling for all ages.

• Team roping – a real team event, you have two people working together, one to rope the steer around the horns or neck (or both) and the other to ride in and rope both hind legs.
• Tie-down roping – a challenge to anyone, this event has a mounted cowboy chase down a 250-pound calf, roping it and then dismounting and tying any three of the calf’s legs. The string he uses to do so he had to carry in his teeth while he rode!
• Bull Riding – here you have to ride a bull for eight terrible seconds. You score based on a possible perfect score of 100 points. This event can be extremely unpredictable.
• Saddle Bronc Riding – a true classic, the bronc riding has always taken the West by storm. Eight seconds of intense concentration of horse and man, not to mention the audience.

Yes, the Eagle County Fair and Rodeo is an event not to be missed!