FAIREST OF THE FAIRS - GILPIN COUNTY'S TENTH

by Pam North

Think FAIR.  The dictionary cites several meanings for the word:
1) A gathering of buyers and sellers; competitive exhibitions; festive 
   gathering (all will happen).
2) Pleasing (it will be).
3) Free or nearly free from precipitation (cross your fingers).
4) Open to pursuit (it is - you're all invited).

Mid-August has arrived, and it's time again for the event eagerly awaited
by local residents - the Gilpin County Fair.  This year's fair is the tenth 
of a series originating in 1993, and it promises to be the best one ever, 
with brand-new contests and exhibitions to lend excitement and novelty to 
the entire coming weekend.

Friday night, August 17th, will get you in a festive mood with a dance
from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., with Change of Heart (country music at its best)
providing the music.

A grand-opening parade (a first for the fair) will kick off Saturday's
events at 10:00 a.m., and there are going to be real floats in it.  The 
cooking contest is scheduled again this year, with entries accepted until 
noon in three categories: breads and rolls, desserts, and canning.  The 
juried art contest and exhibit will take entries (up to 3 pieces per media) 
on Thursday, August 15th until 8:00 p.m., in a variety of media:  water 
color, acrylic, oil, pastel, charcoal, pen and ink, sculpture, pottery,
textiles, jewelry, photography, art prints and mixed media; judging will
take place on Saturday.  Other activities for that day include the Gilpin 
Gallopers, Horse Games, Magic and Juggling, Tae Kwon Do demonstration,
Mountain Mutts exhibition, Talent Show, Golden Gate Bullriding Classic,
award ceremonies for the various contests and events, and the day will
wind up with a big dance featuring the Nashville sounds of Carol Ziegler.
Sunday's schedule will begin with the High Country Pancake Breakfast,
followed by Dog Agility, Governor Gilpin, and a Pet Race.  Two new contests, 
Fairest of the Fair, and Little Munchkin of Gilpin County, will allow babies, 
toddlers and children up to 5 years of age to participate and vie for trophies 
and cash awards.  (Registration for these events is Thursday, August 15th, 
at 5:00 p.m., or between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, the 18th.  Dress the
kids up nice for these). There will be a rock-climbing wall, sponsored by the
U.S. Army, and a Westernaires exhibition, followed by award presentations
for the children's contests.

If all this wasn't enough, there is still all the surrounding fun:  free 
kiddie rides, arts and crafts booths featuring hand-made items for sale, 
face painting and palm reading.  The food court and beer garden will take 
care of your hunger and thirst, and there's always the pleasure of running 
into friends and chatting.

For you newcomers, the fair is located at 230 Norton Drive (take Highway
119 approximately 5 miles north of Black Hawk, and go east on Highway 46
another mile; look south from the KOA, and there you'll find the fair).
Come one, come all, come both days - just come!  There's a good time to be 
had, and you won't want to miss it!