EVANSTON — Budget cuts for the Uinta County Fair, slated to run from July 23 – Aug. 1, again have put a crimp in how the fair will be ran this year.

These cuts continue on the ones the Fair Board has experienced over several years. Gone are the major concerts and some of the top notch things which make the fair a “must see and do.” However, the Fair Board continues to keep the fair gong even with the cuts, which has resulted not only in events, but in payroll for fair managers and employees. How far can these cuts continue and the fair still be a viable fair for county residents to enter and attend?

The following is an update from the Uinta County Fair Board:

Due to the extremely tight budget status this year, the following changes have been made for the 2020 Uinta County Fair.

• All free-stage and grandstand entertainment have been cut from the schedule.
• All open class shows have been cut from the schedule (including open horse, open dog, open mini-horse, open beef, open goat, open sheep, open swine, open rabbit, open poultry, and open class exhibit hall entries)
• All breeding class premiums have been cut from the $10, $8, $4 they have been, down to $4, $3, $2 to match market animal premiums
• Buckles will only be given out for classes the Fair Board has sponsors for.
• Grand champion prizes will be cut back to a Uinta County Fair Grand Champion t-shirt so anyone who earns a Grand Champion will receive one shirt for the year regardless of how many Grand Champions they earn.
• All advertising was cut since entertainment was cut.
• Jr. Rodeo will only be held if the Fair Board can secure donated livestock for it and find a new superintendent to run it. There will be no buckles or jackets bought this year, it will be paid out jackpot style only.
• Team branding and team sorting will only take place if the board can find livestock to be donated, and the events will function as jackpot style with payouts and no buckles bought for it this year.

In addition, the Fair Board is looking for a few individuals willing to donate their time to serve as superintendents for 4-H and FFA categories so these categories can continue. If anyone would like to donate their time and talents, they are urged to call 783-0313. Furthermore, if anyone would like to donate $100 towards a buckle, they are asked to contact the Fair Board ASAP, so they may secure the much anticipated buckles.

Another change recently released was the Junior Livestock sale will be conducted July 31, at 5 p.m., with registration at 4 p.m. There won’t be a dinner prior to the sale, and those who purchase an animal from the sale will receive a gift certificate to a restaurant of their choice in Uinta County. A major change in the sale, due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions, the sale will be held in the large arena. It won’t be like buying-a-pig-in-a-poke, but the contestant and animal will not be in the arena. Their picture will be projected on a LED screen in the arena during the sale to comply with social distancing and other restrictions.

The release from the Fair Board stated, “This livestock sale is an important culmination to the months of work Uinta County youth devote to their projects. Throughout the course of the year, youth have learned nutrition, maintenance and showmanship. The Junior Livestock Sale provides the youth an opportunity to sell their animals and gain a working knowledge of the auction process and the business aspects of raising livestock. Many of these members use the money earned from the animals to purchase new animals, fee and help them go to college.

The Fair Board has also arranged a Zoom viewing if someone is unable to attend the sale. This can be accomplished by contacting the Fair Office at 307-783-0313 or 307-789-4758.