Aurora – The Arapahoe County Fair opened its doors Wednesday and waited for people to come.
Attendance “is always low on the first day. It’s a weekday,” said Andrea Rasizer, a fair spokeswoman.
Some rides sat silent and corn-dog stands almost empty, while fair-goers who made it to opening day reveled in the lack of lines.
Michelle Budfuloski was disappointed to miss the rodeo, which kicks off on Saturday, but she was glad that her family didn’t have to deal with large crowds.
“It’s nice and quiet,” she said, as her kids raced to the Ferris wheel.
Rasizer said 30,000 people are expected to attend Friday through Sunday. They’ll have nice weather. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid- to upper 80s today and Friday, then may warm up for Saturday and Sunday to the mid- to upper 90s.
“County fairs are your last place for people, especially those who live in the city, to get a flavor of our ranching and agricultural heritage,” she said.
It also gives families a place to be entertained at a relatively low price. For the first time in the fair’s history, the entrance fee, $10 today and $12 afterward, covers rides and activities.
Attractions include musical acts as well as tractor pulls.
“It sounds so simple, but it’s fun to watch,” Rasizer said.
At the center of the fair is the county’s 4-H association, which uses the fair as a chance to teach the urban community what agriculture is all about.
For brave kids the fair offers a chance to become a “mutton bustin”‘ champion.
“Some are just like little bull riders in training; they get up, dust themselves off and are ready to go,” fair spokeswoman Nichole Parmelly said.
Six-year-old Brendan Woodworth got padded up and helmeted and hung on as tight as he could to a running sheep.
“We live in the middle of Aurora,” said his mother, Melissa Woodworth, “so this is a whole different ballgame for them.”
Staff writer Simona Gallegos can be reached at 303-954-1555 or sgallegos@denverpost.com
Upcoming fairs
Montrose County Fair and Rodeo: Friday through July 29
El Paso County Fair: Saturday-July 28
Mesa County Fair: July 24-July 29
Larimer County Fair and Rodeo: July 28-Aug. 12
Adams County Fair: Aug. 1-Aug. 5
Boulder County Fair: Aug. 1-Aug. 11
Douglas County Fair: Aug. 3-Aug. 12
Colorado State Fair and Rodeo: Aug. 24-Sept. 3
Jefferson County Fair: Aug. 10-Aug. 12
