January 8, 2024 Minutes

Weld County Fair Board Minutes

November 6, 2023

Meeting called to order by President Aaron Helus at 6:00 p.m.

Members Present: President Helus, Vice President Landon Cogburn, Secretary Isaia Aricayos, Treasurer Courtney Smith, and Fair Board Members Bailey Naibauer, Levi Loveland, Tom Bledsoe.

Ex-Officio/Staff Present: Extension Director Hannah Swanbom, Fair Assistant Cheryl Aragon and 4-H Specialist Kim Eastwood.

Special Guests: Weld County Commissioner Perry Buck (via Zoom)

Agenda: No changes

Motion to approve the Consent Agenda by Tom Bledsoe, second by Levi Loveland; motion passed: 7-0 

Special Guests/Requests:

  1. Commissioner Buck – expressed appreciation for the Board and their work.

  2. Royalty update – Attendant Madison Miller – December very busy with parades and activities, this month activities include NWSS and Farm Show, will help with Beef ID day.

Old Business:

1) Record Book Training Update – 12/20/2023, 7 PM, Zoom format, Joseph Mack missed training as required due to score on previous year record book, request consideration for this year, motion by Landon Cogburn to issue $100 fine and attend the record book class with Larry Hooker in order to show next fair; Amendment to Motion by Tom Bledsoe, record book class will be held, Wednesday, January 17, 2024 7 PM, according to Larry’s schedule. Motion passed: 7-0

2) Approval of Livestock Judges – Horse, Poultry, Rabbit, Dairy – Horse judge recommendations:
Bungart, Ericson, and Ball – motion by Tom Bledsoe to approve judge recommendations by committee, second by Isaia Aricayos; motion passed: 7-0. Dairy judge recommendation: Gilles – motion by Tom Bledsoe to approve judge recommendation by committee, second by Levi Loveland; motion passed: 7-0 Poultry judge recommendation: Johnny and Libby – motion by Tom Bledsoe to approve judge recommendations by committee, second by Levi Loveland; motion passed:  7-0 
3) Fair Book Dedication – motion by Tom Bledsoe to have Judy Stevens for 2024 Fair Book dedication, second by Levi Loveland; motion passed 7-0. Shining Star – motion by Tom Bledsoe to have Cassandra Shoemaker as 2024 Shining Star, second by Levi Loveland; motion passed: 7-0 Friends of Fair – motion by Tom Bledsoe to have Greeley Stampede as 2024 Friends of Fair, second by Levi Loveland; motion passed: 7-0

New Business:

1) Hereford Class for Market Beef – question will be sent to committee for review.
2) Added Elements to 2024 Fair – Barrell Racing/Team Roping/Band for Community Barbeque,  Barrell Racing community competition to be held Thursday evening Fair will sponsor buckles/awards – request we add special youth and county events; Team Roping Saturday evening – similar to Barrell Racing; local band – Wild Nights – $1000 but half as sponsor play during Sunday BBQ – motion by Tom Bledsoe to hire band, second by Levi Loveland.  Motion passed: 7-0. Wrangler BFI – possible option Saturday night, discussions still pending; motion by Tom Bledsoe to proceed with Wrangler BFI discussions and planning, second by Levi Loveland; motion passed: 7-0
3) Vendor Application and Packet Review – looking at sending Feb 5, Cheryl requesting feedback and suggestions for potential food truck vendors to solicit for events.
4) Fair Security Update and Scheduling of Special Meeting – zoom in the next couple weeks or so when estimates/bids are received.
5) Fair Photographer Discussion – motion by Tom Bledsoe, second by Levi Loveland to have Megan Berg as fair photographer again; motion passed: 7-0 Request Megan meet with Sale and Livestock committees prior to Fair.
6) Sanctioning Fair with Beyond the Ring – kids can gain points through market showing and showmanship; no fees for Fair being sanctioned; additional information forthcoming.

  1. Committee Reports
    • Premier Exhibitor – Landon Cogburn – Committee – working on formalizing committee positions
    • Carcass Contest – Isaia Aricayos – Kristy Campbell – coming up with sponsor list
    • All-Around Showmanship – Aaron Helus – Debbie Carpio – will work on scheduling a meeting soon
    • Drug Testing – Courtney Smith – Lynn Erickson – nothing to report at this time
    • Education – Tom Bledsoe – Shannon Bailey – Cam’s Academy – nothing to report at this time
    • Jr Livestock Sale – Landon Cogburn – Board – nothing to report at this time
    • Security, Parking, and Risk Management – Levi Loveland – vacant – looking for committee members
    • Royalty – Tom Bledsoe – update by Jadalynn Frazier - nothing to report at this time.
    •  Livestock/Animal Health – Bailey Naibauer – Kristy Campbell – committee - recommend adding light cross market breed division for hogs – will need banners for light and heavy weights – motion by Bailey Neibauer to accept and approve committee recommendation, second by Tom; motion passed. motion by Tom

      Bledsoe to accept Kylie Kaiser as committee member to 3-year term as recommended by committee, second by Levi Loveland; motion passed: 7-0 Committee recommend add additional release time after carcass contest for animal groups; motion by Landon Cogburn to accept additional release time as recommended, second by Tom Bledsoe; motion passed: 7-0 motion by Landon Cogburn to change rule book to include market swine must be shown without hairdressing compounds, including oils, paints, powders, adhesive and other dressing – water and/or water based products only will be permitted; motion passed. Board asked that at next meeting committee discuss vet check times and wrist bands.

Announcements/ General Discussion:

1) Next Meetings February 5, 2024 @ 6 PM, Extension Office.
2) County Legal reviewing contract for tent rentals for Pig and Beef show holding pens.

Meeting adjourned by Aaron Helus at 7:33 PM

Respectfully Submitted,

Isaia K Aricayos
Weld County Fair Board Secretary

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