By Mike Smith
El Rito Media

Demolition work started last week at the Eddy County Fairgrounds in Artesia for a new livestock barn and multi-use building, fair officials said.

A long-standing cattle barn with wash basins and restrooms were in the process of being torn down making way for a new indoor multi-use facility with an estimated cost of $25 million presented earlier this year to the Eddy County Board of County Commissioners.

The Eddy County Fair Board estimated work on the new facility would start in September and should be complete by 2026.

Eddy County 4-H Extension Agent Wayne Shockey said the new building would be a benefit for animals, parents, youths and others invested in the livestock shows.

During this year’s Eddy County Fair which ran July 23 through July 27 sweltering temperatures greeted participants as preparations took place in open air livestock pens and portable air conditioners tried to keep animals and people comfortable.

Shockey said the new facility would have indoor air conditioning.

“I’m excited to see that coming,” he said.

Shockey said enrollment in Eddy County’s 4-H programs was “pretty steady” during this years fair. He said some areas in the 4-H program needed improvement.

4-H is a national youth development organization with nearly six million participates across the United States, according to the group’s website.

“The 4-H program in New Mexico is under the control of New Mexico State University, specifically the Cooperative Extension Service. Local Extension Agents coordinate county 4-H programs,” noted the Eddy County Extension Service website.

Eddy County has 10 4-H clubs in all areas of the county, per the Extension Service website.

A closer look at the 2024 Eddy County Fair

An estimated 25,000 people visited the fairgrounds during last months fair, said Jon Putman, of the Eddy County Fair Board in a report to the Eddy County Board of County Commissioners Aug. 6.

“It went really well, with about 145 livestock exhibitors with about 500 animals,” he said.

Putnam said a carnival at this year’s fair might have led to an uptick in visitors compared to previous fairs.

Commissioners praised Putnam and other Fair Board members.

“The fair did an absolutely fantastic job,” said District 2 Commissioner Jon Henry. “Really appreciated it this year, it was great to see the carnival back. Always glad to see the support of our community and all those kids and what they get accomplished out there.”

District 1 Commissioner Ernie Carlson thanked the Fair Board for continuing to grow the event.

“I think that’s a great honor and a great thing for the guys that served on the Fair Board that worked so hard to put it on,” he said.

County Commission Chair Bo Bowen said the fair was a yearly high point for all Eddy County residents, including the junior livestock sale which raised a reported $1.2 million this year.

“That’s unreal. If you go around the state, that just doesn’t happen. That’s just something to be proud of. We have a lot of good people supporting a lot of great kids in our county,” Bowen said.

Mike Smith can be reached via phone at 575-308-8734 or by email at msmith@currentargus.com and via X @MSmithartesianm.