The Navajo County Fair has arrived and that means plenty of rodeo, food, fun and entertainment. Along with the annual favorites, a special concert performance by the award winning country music band Emerson Drive, with Branch & Dean as the opening act, will take place on Saturday, Sept. 17. Tickets are on sale now for $25 for the concert only or $30 for a rodeo/concert package at the county fair office, located at 404 E. Hopi Drive in Holbrook or by calling (928) 524-4757.
On Wednesday, Sept. 14, the gates open at 12 noon today along with the exhibit hall and open class livestock judging. At 6 p.m. the opening ceremonies will be held on the Midway followed by the Junior Miss Pageant at 7 p.m. The carnival will also open up at 6 p.m. and visitors can purchase an $18 pass at the ticket booth that will allow an entire night of unlimited rides for Wednesday, Thursday or Sunday.
On Thursday, Sept. 15, it’s Senior Day with $3 general admission for seniors 65 and older. The gates open at 10 a.m. with entertainment on the main stage and the exhibit halls opening. At 6 p.m. that evening the carnival opens, then at 7 p.m. the crowd favorite Demolition Derby starts. At 8:30 live music will begin on the main stage featuring Moonshine Mafia, performing until the fair closes at 10 p.m.
On Friday, Sept. 16, it’s free general admission for all veterans and active duty members of the armed forces. The gates open at 10 a.m. with entertainment on the main stage and the exhibit halls opening. At 1 p.m. the Junior Livestock auction begins at the north end of the fair grounds, then at 5 p.m. the carnival opens, and at 7:30 the much-anticipated Friday night rodeo starts up. At 9:30 that evening a dance will begin with Moonshine Mafia performing on the main stage until midnight when the fair closes.
On Saturday, Sept. 17, the box office and exhibit hall opens at 9 a.m. with the Southwest Junior Rodeo Association hosting events throughout the weekend. At 12 noon the Little Buckaroo Rodeo begins with youngsters vying for the best time riding on smaller livestock. The carnival opens from 2 to 11 p.m. Rodeo gates open at 4:30 p.m. with a pre-show at 6 p.m. and the rodeo beginning at 6:30 p.m.
There will be live musical performances by Moonshine Mafia and Harry Luge, and midway entertainment will include Farmer Phil, Poppin’ Penelope, Freddie Prez Entertainment Zone and Reptile Adventures.
Visitors can take in the sights and sounds as they enjoy mouthwatering food along the midway, including, funnel cakes, cotton candy, old-fashioned lemonade and other fair food favorites.
Entry into the fair is $5 per person and $65 for a family pass, which is good for six people the entire week of the fair. All veterans are admitted free with identification.
Event admission is paid separately at the events box office, and includes the rodeo, which is $8 for adults and $4 for kids ages 6 to 12; the Demolition Derby, $8 for adults and $4 for kids 6 to 12; Little Buckaroo Rodeo, $6 for adults and $3 for kids; and the Open Junior Rodeo, $5 for adults and $3 for kids. All kids under 5 are admitted free to events.
