Your guide to the 82nd Otero County Fair: Vendors, animals and carnival await public

The 82nd Otero County Fair and Rodeo is scheduled for Sept. 22 through Sept. 26 at the Otero County Fairgrounds.

The fair is free to attend and is going to be "a full-blown fair," Otero County Fair Administrative Assistant Jessica Heidel said.

The junior livestock show, carnival, exhibits, rodeo, merchandise and food vendors are expected to proceed as usual. There will not be a ranch rodeo this year.

The fair was scaled back in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Indoor exhibits are subject to COVID-19 restrictions for public spaces, including social distancing and the use of face masks.

For more information about the 82nd Otero County Fair and Rodeo visit www.oterocountyfair.com or call 575-434-0788.

Wednesday, Sept. 22

The fair opens at 5 p.m. with exhibits.

The pavilion will be open to the public.

The Swine Show will also take place at 5 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 23

The fair opens to the public at 11 a.m. including exhibit hall, pavilion and amusement rides.

At 1 p.m., the FFA/Senior 4-H Agriculture Mechanics Contest will take place followed by the Lamb Show and the Goat Show 30 minutes after the Lamb Show completes.

Friday, Sept. 24

The Kiwanis Kick-Off Pancake Breakfast begins at 6 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on the corner of Seventh Street and Delaware Avenue.

At 11 a.m. the exhibit hall and pavilion opens to the public. Amusement rides open at noon. 

Also at noon is the Poultry Show followed by the Cattle Show at 4 p.m.

Live entertainment begins at 5 p.m., Fair and Rodeo Coronation begins at 7 p.m. and the rodeo begins at 8 p.m. in the Guy Warden Area.

Saturday, Sept. 25

A dedication ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m. in the Otero County Fair pavilion. The pavilion and pedestrian bridge will be dedicated to William F. Mershon.

The exhibit hall and pavilion at the fair opens at 11 a.m. with amusement rides opening at noon.

Bovine Bingo begins at 4 p.m. and the Junior Livestock Sale is expected to begin at 5 p.m.

Live music will begin at 6 p.m. 

The rodeo will begin at 8 p.m. at the Guy Warden Arena.

The Fair and Rodeo Dane will begin at 9 p.m. 

Sunday, Sept. 26

The amusement rides will open at noon.

Nicole Maxwell can be contacted by email at nmaxwell@alamogordonews.com, by phone at 575-415-6605 or on Twitter at @nicmaxreporter.

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