Fun at the Fair

The 2011 Lincoln County Fair and Rodeo went off last weekend with rave reviews and huge success.

The weekend started out Thursday evening with a 4-H Fashion Review. Members of the 4-H club, who worked hard all summer long on handmade sewn items, modeled their projects. Talent showcasing of vocalist Caleigh Stackhouse, piano by Caralee Frehner and dance by Sydney Anderson made the night entertaining and fun for all.

Exhibits of community members’ hard work, dedication and talent were displayed at the Exhibit Hall for the weekend?s festivities. Many talents such as photography, quilt making, woodworking, homemade cakes and jams and garden items were proudly shown and judged. Awards given out included Grand Champion Quilt to Christine Bickel, Reserve and Grand Champion baskets to Sheley Jones, Grand Champion Knitted Afghan by Margaret Thomas and Reserve and Grand Champion photographs by Rita Cheeney. This year’s Best of Show and People?s Choice was awarded to Lenard Smith for his handmade violins, made with tools he manufactured himself.

This year’s Lincoln County Fair and Rodeo Princess went to Lacey Steele and Lincoln County Queen Dusty Simmers.

In an exclusive interview, Dusty said she is ?so very excited to represent Lincoln County this next year.? This is Dusty?s second year as Queen, her first reign being the 2003-2004 year. This talented young lady is a head roper and barrel racer as well. She plans to travel around Nevada and Utah to promote Lincoln County in her reign. She is also very much involved in working with the Whipple Ranch in Alamo to promote rodeo events in Lincoln County.

Dusty started out riding when she was in fourth grade, when she walked barrel patterns with her horse and makeshift barrels out of water coolers. She contributed her success to her parents for driving her up and down roads for competitions and rodeos. She gave a special thanks to Floyd Lamb from whom she received her first horse, Casey Gardner who introduced the sport to her and Merre Scott for helped her refine skills in barrels, roping and pageants.

Dusty added, ?It?s exciting to see the girls grow and get experience in horsemanship. So many doors can open from the horsemanship program. Dreams are possible if you work for it and If you work hard enough. Never give up on the dreams. Follow your passion, and success is going to follow. The key is to get back up after you fall.?

Dusty?s next goal is to compete in Miss Rodeo Nevada and Miss Helldorado.

Saturday?s events started off in the early morning hours with the Lincoln County Fair Adventure Relay. This running race was a 30-mile course with 10 legs. It started at Eagle Valley and with the finishing line at the Fair Grounds in Panaca. Teams of five were formed, with each member running one or more legs. Each team was their own support along the course. A team from Mesquite won with blazing speed.

The fair showcased a jackpot roping competition, petting zoo, Gymkhana, open horse show, pee wee rodeo and the grand finale show Friday and Saturday nights. Full of tough cowboys and cowgirls, the rodeo was hosted by former Lincoln County resident Stewart Twitchell. Everyone also enjoyed music and dancing by the Honky Tonk Band.

Stay tuned, full results are to follow.