It’s almost time for the Torrance County Fair — an opportunity for families to enjoy time together and for children to show off their 4-H or Future Farmers of America projects.
The fair parade serves as a preview for the event. The Old Timer’s Day Parade will start at 10 a.m. July 25. Line up starts an hour before the parade at the Torrance County Courthouse.
The fair royalty will be selected during a contest at 2 p.m. Aug. 3, with registration occurring an hour before the event. Participating in the contest can help youth gain confidence and practice public speaking. Among the duties the fair royalty have is handing out the ribbons during the county fair. They will also be expected to ride in the 2026 Old Timer’s Day Parade next year.
The royalty includes a fair queen, Miss Torrance County, Little Miss Torrance County and Tiny Miss Torrance County. These categories are determined by age with the fair queen being between 15 and 19 years old. The youngest category is Tiny Miss Torrance County and contestants must be younger than 8 years old. The fair queen must be in good standing with either a 4-H or FFA program.
The royalty will “reign” for a year, during which time they may be called upon to serve as ambassadors for the county.
The royalty must be enrolled in a Torrance County school or residents of Torrance County.
Participants are judged based on poise, personality, appearance and communication skills.
Children and youth that have spent months raising livestock will bring their projects to the fairgrounds between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5 to check them in and get the animals situated. Other exhibits will also check in that day.
Throughout the week, the livestock and exhibits will be judged. Other than livestock, some of the exhibits include handiwork such as embroidery, ceramics, creative arts, fine arts, canned goods and baked goods. People will also show agricultural products such as field crops, fruits and vegetables that have been grown locally.
One of the highlights early in the week is the gymkhana rodeo, which will start at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5. Registration begins at 5 p.m.
Some of the gymkhana events include a flag race, key hole race, barrel race and goat tie.
Just because a kid doesn’t have a farm doesn’t mean they won’t be able to show off their animals. A pet show is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 8 in the show arena.
The week’s events will conclude with the Torrance County Farm & Livestock Bureau Tractor Parade at 10 a.m. Aug. 9.