Larimer County previews 2025 fair as Ranch master plan reshapes grounds

Larimer County officials on July 21 previewed the 2025 Larimer County Fair and Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rodeo and outlined accessibility upgrades and construction that will change the fairgrounds' layout.

The fair runs Friday, Aug. 1, through Tuesday, Aug. 5; the PRCA rodeo is scheduled Sunday, Aug. 3, through Tuesday, Aug. 5, with performances beginning at 7 p.m. in Blue Arena. Portia Cook, strategic communications lead for the Ranch Events Complex, told commissioners the presentation was “a preview of what’s taking place,” and described new entertainment, vendor and accessibility features.

Why it matters: The 2025 fair is both an annual community event and the last edition held on the current configuration of the grounds before the county begins work to move the fair to a new event lawn and continue with phase 2 of the Ranch master plan. That transition will affect parking, guest access, crowds and where some events are staged in future years.

Officials said the fair is seeing heavy participation this year: staff anticipate more than 600 4‑H youth exhibitors and more than 1,500 open‑class entries, with record submissions in livestock and quilts. All 67 vendor booths are sold out, and organizers described a wide range of new entertainment and family experiences, including an Indigenous opening ceremony on Friday, Aug. 1, at 5:30 p.m.; a local DJ billed as “Lil Coop” performing Sunday; the Shockwave trick riders on horseback on Friday night; a wing‑eating contest on Saturday; and a sensory‑friendly day on Monday with a low‑sensory environment.

New exhibits and activities slated for the fair this year include a House of Butterflies with more than 15 live species and an Ag Venture Scavenger Hunt. OVG Hospitality will offer new concessions described on the record as a maple‑glazed “mini churro chicken skewer,” a “jumbo pizza dog” and a 21‑plus drink called the “cotton candy crush.” A Mountain Dew tent will offer samples and games.

Cook described recent site work tied to the Ranch master plan that organizers say will change the guest experience. She said ADA accessible parking has been relocated away from Lot F to Lots B and C and that the county added 69 ADA spaces in Lot C and 20 in Lot B, including two electric‑vehicle‑compatible ADA spaces. “This now completed upgrade improves guest safety, really reducing that foot in vehicle traffic in one of the fair’s busiest areas,” Cook said. The changes also include a dedicated rideshare lane, marked crosswalks, paved flat walkways and accessible signage.

Lot F is now vacant and will be developed as a roughly 130,000‑square‑foot events plaza to host food trucks, live entertainment and pop‑up events, officials said. Construction under the same larger program includes Lot E expansion, which will add 450 parking spaces, and a County Road 5 project that will widen the road from one lane to two with a dedicated turn and acceleration lane. County staff told commissioners construction will continue through the fair but said organizers expect “little to no disruption for guests.”

County and Ranch leaders framed 2025 as a transition year. Portia Cook and staff said work will begin this fall on a new event lawn that will become the future home of the Larimer County Fair; other phase‑2 elements mentioned in the presentation include an amphitheater/event lawn, a redeveloped youth sports and ice complex with three new sheets of ice, Blue Arena enhancements, redesigned events plaza (work on that plaza was described as beginning in fall 2026), upgraded signage and a future convention and hotel center. Officials said the changes will expand the campus as a year‑round destination.

Commissioners asked about accessibility logistics under the new parking plan. Staff said they added larger shuttles and drivers, will pour a new ADA path at Gate 1 that will connect to McKee parking, and expect most accessible spaces to be closer to First National Bank/Gate 2 or nearer Blue Arena than the vacated Lot F. Blue Arena will also operate with additional concessions during the fair year, including a new stand called Frye Heaven offering customizable fries.

No formal board actions were taken during the presentation; commissioners thanked staff and encouraged residents to visit 4‑H exhibits and the McKee Building as part of fair programming. Organizers said full event details are available on the Ranch Events Complex website and invited the public to attend.