Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Fair topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
El Paso County Fair set for July 12–19 in Callahan; organizers tout expanded sponsorships, free entertainment and 4‑H participation
Summary
County staff detailed programming, sponsorships and youth participation for the 120th El Paso County Fair, highlighting free acts, ticketed arena events and partnerships that organizers say support operations.
Teresa Odello, division manager for recreation and cultural services at El Paso County, told commissioners that the county’s 120th fair will run July 12–19 in Callahan and will emphasize partnerships, free entertainment and agricultural programming.
Organizers said they secured more than $108,500 in cash sponsorships and roughly $140,000 in in‑kind support to underwrite rides, arena events and services at the fair. “We could not run our fair without these sponsors, cash and in kind alike,” Odello said.
Anjana Aljets, the fair supervisor, outlined the week’s program and marketing approach and said the theme — “a spudtacular journey” — reflects the fair’s origin as a potato festival in 1905. “We are super excited to talk about what we are expecting at this year’s fair,” Aljets said. She described free daily entertainment that spans historical-genre acts and modern attractions, including a ventriloquist, extreme juggler acts, a stunt show with a human cannonball and a “hype crew” that will perform hourly on the grounds.
Ticketed arena events include auto races, two nights of rodeo (one CPRA event and one rough-stock rodeo), mounted shooting added to the CPRA day, youth bull riding and a demolition derby. Aljets said the county has added more free arena programming on nights that previously had no ticketed event.
Organizers stressed the fair’s agriculture and youth programs. County staff said the fair will again host 4‑H and FFA projects, several livestock shows and the El Paso County Junior Livestock Sale on the last day. The presentation listed 4‑H participation and volunteer figures reported at the meeting and described registration as up year over year.
Kate Johnson, a member of the fair advisory board and the fair queen coordinator, summarized the fair queen program and introduced Madison Finley Wagner, the 2025 El Paso County Fair Queen, who gave brief remarks about the fair’s history and schedule. “From a humble potato festival to the fair we know and love today, the fair has always been about celebrating our connections, community, and our heritage,” Wagner said.
Commissioners asked a few logistical questions about programming and appearances, including whether certain novelty acts would involve commissioners. No changes to the week’s schedule were announced during the presentation.
Organizers provided materials and directed residents to the fair website for tickets and additional information.
