1. I feel one of the reasons we are the best is because the county has allowed the focus of the fair to be about community and kids rather than about profit and commercialization. David L Long, FAB President
2. Because of the people that have made it what it has the past hundred years (the real ranchers of the valley) Shari Yeager
3. Because it is Home Grown, Real People, nothing fake about it, and nothing Artificial! Worth Every Hard Earned Dollar! Deloy T Fox
4. The reason I love the Routt County Fair is because it continues to keep the history of Routt County alive and teaches kids the importance of agriculture, heritage and working together as a community. Heather Rau, FAB Member
5. With such a large geographic area incorporating several distinct communities the fair brings us all together as one big family and that’s why we’re the BEST! Mynon Deru, FAB Member
6. I think that the reason would be we allow town kids to keep their animals at the fairgrounds allowing them to participate in the four h program where they would not have that chance if we didn’t allow this to take place. Lynn Powell, FAB Member
7. My reason our fair is the best is: our fair has things and events that all of our citizens can enjoy for free or a minimal fee. That alone makes the Fair very appealing to all of our residents with differing activities. Nance Brandenburg, FAB Member
8. There will be many more than 101 families making life-long memories at fair. B.J. Diehl, FAB Member
9. It is where the agricultural and nonagricultural communities meet, equal parts carnival, encampment, family reunion, homecoming day, fish fry and block party. Sureva Towler & Jim Stanko (Faster Horses, Younger Women, Older Whiskey”)
10. To see old friends that I haven’t seen in a year! Leslie Hockaday
11. The Routt County Fair is the best because of all of the opportunities it has provided for aspiring youth in our county over the 101 years. Doug Monger, Routt County Commissioner
12. Our fair is the best because it acts like a mixing pot bringing people from all over Routt County together with a common interest. Cassidy Crawford (4-H Jr. Leader)
13. Routt County fair is the best because of the close knit community allows people to be comfortable and really have a fun time at the fair. Also, everyone is so supportive which feels like a family; when one person succeds, everyone does! Hayleigh Aurin (4-H Jr. Leader)
14. I love watching the first year members entering the ring in fear and the competitive atmosphere. Warren Hayes (4-H County Secretary)
15. I love the Routt County Fair because it is the time of year that everyone looks forward to and it is the celebration of the year and end of the summer. Our fiar is the place where it doesn’t matter which school you are from, we all become one big family. Tia Rozell (4-H County Senator)
16. Our fair is the best because we have the very best sweet tea!! And I am there! Logan Bankard (County VP, Jr. Leader)
17. Our county fair is the best because its not about the color of the ribbon you win or the words on the buckle. Its about having pride in your own success. Plus we have the best shaved ice! Hallie Myhre (4-H Jr. Leader)
18. Our county fair is the best because it is the time of the year when the whole county community gets together for a week of fun and friendly competition. Izabel Horn (4-H County President, Jr. Leader)
19. I love the Routt County Fair because it has been something that I have looked forward to every year since I was little. It has shaped me into the leader and person that I am today. Shannon Ragan (4-H County Senator, Jr. Leader)
20. For myself, the Routt County fair is one of the few events that can bring all of Routt County together in a week’s time. Fair is full of fun, family and friends. Mackenzie Holmberg (former 4-H Jr. Leader & Council Officer)
21. Most citizens of Routt County are involved in fair some way no matter their life style. It’s a big community event. Most families have been participating in it for many generations. Katelyn Ibarra (4-H County Reporter)
22. The Routt County Fair is the best because after 101 years it’s still about Fair kids, Fair animals, Fair exhibits and great food, activities, shows and weather! Tom Sullivan, Routt County Manager
23. Because it is educational for the kids, and it is still a Family affair generation after generation! Roger Muhme, Small Animal Barn Superintendent
24. It represents the best of Colorado Eileen Grover, Canned Goods and Farm Products Superintendent
25. Steely grit, passion for the land and it’s critters, love of the earth and what it supports, whether it’s animals or gardens, or fish or fowl. Eileen Grover, Canned Goods and Farm Products Superintendent
26. Creativity, on so many levels. Eileen Grover, Canned Goods and Farm Products Superintendent
27. Love of land and the need to be good stewards. Eileen Grover, Canned Goods and Farm Products Superintendent
28. Friendship and the willingness to share skills with each other. Eileen Grover, Canned Goods and Farm Products Superintendent
29. Camaraderie. Eileen Grover, Canned Goods and Farm Products Superintendent
30. The smell of soil and animal droppings that bring back memories of my childhood. Eileen Grover, Canned Goods and Farm Products Superintendent
31. Funnel cake is the best!!! Eileen Grover, Canned Goods and Farm Products Superintendent
32. Bar-be-cue. Eileen Grover, Canned Goods and Farm Products Superintendent
33. Friends. Eileen Grover, Canned Goods and Farm Products Superintendent
34. The anticipation of showing what one can grow with 59 days of growing season. Eileen Grover, Canned Goods and Farm Products Superintendent
35. Seeing the delight in children’s eyes. Eileen Grover, Canned Goods and Farm Products Superintendent
36. Seeing the pride that young ranch children have for their animals. Eileen Grover, Canned Goods and Farm Products Superintendent
37. The care and devotion that children put into their animals. Eileen Grover, Canned Goods and Farm Products Superintendent
38. Devotion of all the superintendents. Eileen Grover, Canned Goods and Farm Products Superintendent
39. Silent workers behind the scenes. Eileen Grover, Canned Goods and Farm Products Superintendent
40. Moral fiber. Eileen Grover, Canned Goods and Farm Products Superintendent
41. It’s where friends and neighbors meet and enjoy each other’s company. It doesn’t get any better than that. Jill Delay, Fairgrounds Manager/Fair Coordinator
42. It’s a place where parents and kids share cotton candy twirled on a stick while they watched. Jill Delay, Fairgrounds Manager/Fair Coordinator
43. It’s a place where the valley’s heritage is showcased as a current way of life. Jill Delay, Fairgrounds Manager/Fair Coordinator
44. Because even if it’s been a drought year, you KNOW it’s going to rain during fair. Jill Delay, Fairgrounds Manager/Fair Coordinator
45. Our fair is the best because everyone has good sportsmanship! Kally May, 4-H Member
46. Our fair is the best because of the dance! Jaycee May
47. Routt County Fair is the best because it unites all parts of the county, young and old, friends and family – best week of the year! Tami Eggers, 4-H Youth Development Agent
48. The Routt County Fair, and particularly the 4-H Shows highlights the amazing youth in our county and our youth are the best! Medora Fralick, Goodtimes 4-H Club Leader
49. Perfect mix of freedom and responsibility for our youth. Susan Colfer, Fairplay 4-H Club Leader
50. Brings community together in a supportive and fun environment. Susan Colfer, Fairplay 4-H Club Leader
51. Encourages kids to help each other and is friendly competition. Susan Colfer, Fairplay 4-H Club Leader
52. Connects kids to our community roots and brings them closer to our food source. Susan Colfer, Fairplay 4-H Club Leader
53. Sense of pride and accomplishment for kids. Susan Colfer, Fairplay 4-H Club Leader73. The Routt County Fair brings 4-H members of all ages and disciplines together for friendly competition and camaraderie. It’s great to see the kids support and encourage one another. Lisa Bankard, 4-H Council Advisor
54. Helps kids learn to deal with loss and grief in a supportive environments. Susan Colfer, Fairplay 4-H Club Leader
55. Good clean fun! Susan Colfer, Fairplay 4-H Club Leader
56. I like our fair because it is a time to meet new people. Will Anderson, 4-H Member
57. I like the Routt County Fair because all the people are very friendly and it’s a very fun time. Tell Belton, 4-H Member
58. I like the Routt County Fair because it is close to my home and I always meet new people. Morgan Palyo, 4-H Member
59. I like the Routt County Fair because of the people I have met and the opportunities that it has presented me.- Millie Delaney, 4-H Member
60. I like it because not only have I learned about ag but it brings the county together and you make new friends and its a week full of fun. Emma Johnson, 4-H Member
61. I like the Routt County Fair because everyone is always having so much fun. There are activities for everyone and you can meet so many people. I love the atmosphere: work hard, play harder. It’s just a great place to spend time and learn new things while connecting with other people that may or may not enjoy the same things. Laura Johnson. 4-H Member
62. I always get to see my friends from across the county and I get to camp with my family all week. Zava Zupan, 4-H Member
63. I like the Routt County Fair because of all the people I have met through fair. I love how we are all in the same “area” and have no other choice but to talk to each other. Caylee Hood, 4-H Member
64. I think the reason why our fair is best is because I get to spend time playing with my animals and friends. – Caroline McLaughlin, 4-H Member
65. I think the reason why our fair is best is because of the social time and the friendly competition. Cosette McLaughlin
66. It teaches life lessons that we will use for the rest of our lives like money management and responsibility it also helps build important friendships through the people we work with and meet during our 4-H years it also helps with speaking skills and helps us to become better men and women. Allison Ingols, 4-H Member
67. It’s fun and we learn responsibility. -Paige Barnes, 4-H Member
68. It’s fun to work with the animals and I get another way to meet new people and interact with my friends. -Mason Brewer, 4-H Member
69. We get to meet new people and take care of really awesome animals. -Faith Day, 4-H Member
70. It teaches us responsibility and how to be better leaders. Chris Carrouth, 4-H Member
71. I love the Routt County Fair because it’s a place where my kids can have fun while learning responsibility and good sportsmanship. Lauren McLaughlin, High Point 4-H Club Leader
72. Routt County Fair is THE BEST as it truly represents our community and our heritage of livestock and agriculture. Lisa Bankard, 4-H Council Advisor
74. I think we’re the best because we keep improving the fair for the future while honoring the past and our history. Todd Hagenbuch, CSU Routt County Agriculture Agent
75. Our fair is the best because everyone is really friendly and fair. Leona Thurston, 4-H Member
76. Our fair is the best because everyone there is friends and great activities and displays at fair. Sherese Ebaugh, 4-H Member
77. Routt County fair is the best because it is a tradition that will last for a lifetime. Mattie Rossi, 4-H Member
78. I feel it is the best because we have the best 4-H members and we can all get along outside the ring but yet show our competitiveness in the ring. It also showcases the hardest working youth in our county. It brings three different communities together to be one big family!!! We can all count on each other! Julie Rubalcaba – High Valley 4-H Club Leader
79. Our fair is the best because it acts like a mixing pot bringing people from all over Routt County together with a common interest. Cassidy Crawford (Jr. Leader)
80. Routt County fair is the best because of the close knit community allows people to be comfortable and really have a fun time at the fair. Also, everyone is so supportive which feels like a family; when one person succeds, everyone does! Hayleigh Aurin (Jr. Leader)
81. I love watching the first year members entering the ring in fear and the competitive atmosphere. Warren Hayes (Country Secretary):
82. I love the Routt County Fair because it is the time of year that everyone looks forward to and it is the celebration of the year and end of the summer. Our fiar is the place where it doesn’t matter which school you are from, we all become one big family. Tia Rozell (County Senator)
83. Our fair is the best because we have the very best sweet tea!! And I am there! Logan Bankard (County VP, Jr. Leader)
84. Our county fair is the best because its not about the color of the ribbon you win or the words on the buckle. Its about having pride in your own success. Plus we have the best shaved ice! Hallie Myhre (Jr. Leader)
85. Our county fair is the best because it is the time of the year when the whole county community gets together for a week of fun and friendly competition. Izabel Horn (County President, Jr. Leader)
86. I love the Routt County Fair because it has been something that I have looked forward to every year since I was little. It has shaped me into the leader and person that I am today. Shannon Ragan (County Senator, Jr. Leader)
87. For myself, the Routt County fair is one of the few events that can bring all of Routt County together in a week’s time. Fair is full of fun, family and friends. Mackenzie Holmberg (former Jr. Leader & Council Officer)
88. Most citizens of Routt County are involved in fair some way no matter their life style. It’s a big community event. Most families have been participating in it for many generations. Katelyn Ibarra (County Reporter)
89. 101 years of tradition. Chris William, Routt County Maintenance
90. Because no matter where you’re from, a big city or a little town, the Routt County Fair makes you feel like you’ve come home. Sandy Boston, Hayden Police Department Clerk
91. ‘Cause we are the Routtiest County in the West. Andrea Salazar, Hayden Deputy Clerk
92. Seeing dear friends and neighbors that only connect with during fair time.
93. Watching the joy of fair participants when they see that their hard work has garnered a champion ribbon from the exhibit hall judge. Karen Massey, CSU Routt County Extension Director
94. Learn about all of the crops that will grow in the Yampa Valley. Karen Massey, CSU Routt County Extension Director
95. Watch the area preschoolers learn about ranch-life by touring the barns during Cloverbud for a Day. Karen Massey, CSU Routt County Extension Director
96. Watch local beer and wine enthusiasts bring in their homemade beverages to be judged. Karen Massey, CSU Routt County Extension Director
97. Enjoy the 12-hour transformation of our empty exhibit hall to a space filled with quilts, canned goods, cakes, flowers, photography, handcrafts, artwork and crops. Karen Massey, CSU Routt County Extension Director
98. Routt County Fair is the best because we get to see all of the creativity displayed in the Exhibit Hall. There is so much talent in Routt County! Jessica M. Quigley, CSU Extension Administrative Assistant
99. Family. Fabulous exhibits. Furry animals. Flavorful food. Fine parade. Fun vendors. Funky music. Fantastic rodeo. Funnel cakes. FRIENDLY STAFF. Sherry Dunckley, Mountain Valley Bank Branch Manager
100. It brings out the BEST in all of us and spans several generations of fun! Linda Long, Fair Advisory Board/Exhibition Hall Superintendent
101. The thing I like best about our fair is that we get a chance to see friends and neighbors we haven’t seen for a year and we enjoy each other as if we had seen each other yesterday. Barbara Kelton, Needlework Volunteer