El Rito Media Betty Skinner of Artesia’s American Legion Post 41 said the Eddy County Fair offers many opportunities yearly for participants and attendees to learn about agriculture and community service organizations.

Skinner said the American Legion had a booth presence for decades and this year is no exception as the 79th annual Eddy County starts July 23 at the Eddy County Fairgrounds in Artesia.

She said the veteran’s organization likes the exhibit space at the Eddy County Community Center as volunteers offer information for veterans to join the organization along with raffling prizes donated by area merchants.

“We support veterans,” she said, noting the American Legion was seeking younger members as many are aging.

Skinner said American Legion Post 41 supports veterans in Artesia and helps former U.S. Armed Forces members traveling through the community that may need financial assistance.

“One year we put in a hot water heater for a veteran couple,” she said.

During last year’s Eddy County Fair, Skinner said the American Legion raised $1,200 through raffle tickets sold to fair-goers.

Chartered in 1919 by the U.S. Congress as a veteran’s organization. The American Legion focused on service members and veterans. The Legion evolved from a group of World War One veterans, according to the American Legion website.

Skinner said area businesses show support for the local post. She said members sell raffle tickets for a $1 at this year’s fair.

She said a pistol, gun safe, a 55-inch television, pictures, and certificates from Artesia area restaurants were offered as raffle prizes.

Skinner said buying more raffle will increase the chances for winning.

Fair preparation starts early Before the Eddy County Fairgrounds open July 23, there is plenty of behindthe- scenes work scheduled three days before the official opening as indoor and agriculture entries are accepted on July 20, according to the Eddy County Fair website.

On July 22, Livestock is brought to the Fairgrounds during the morning as inspectors check paperwork and the animals before the fair starts.

After all-day preparations, a Cowboy Church service was set for the Show Ring and a movie follows the service.

Fair day starts with a parade At 10 a.m. July 23, at the Bulldog Bowl Parking lot, kids, farm tractors, pickup trucks and exhibitor’s lineup for the annual parade which travels east on Main Street through downtown Artesia and ends at the corner of Second Street and Main Street.

At noon, at the Eddy County Fairgrounds, the 2024 fair officially opens in the exhibit building and the Eddy County Community Center.

At 3 p.m. the first livestock show takes center stage in the Livestock Barn Show Ring.

At 5 p.m. the carnival opens and at 6 p.m. is the breeding and market goat show.

Concerts compliment livestock shows and exhibits Three nights of live concerts start at 8 p.m. July 24 with Faith and Family Night.

At 6 p.m. July 25, a concert featuring William Clark Green and Easton Corbin caps off the livestock shows. Green is a country music singer from Texas and Corbin a Florida native had two No. 1 country music hits with “A Little More Country than That” and “Roll with It.”

Both hits topped the music charts in 2010, according to Easton’s official website.

At 9 p.m. July 26, A concert featuring another country music artist Jon Wolfe ends the day’s activities.

Born in Oklahoma, Wolfe worked as an oil trader and in the early 2000’s he dedicated his life to performing and was inspired by “traditional” country music artists like George Strait, Merle Haggard, and Alan Jackson, noted his personal website.

Fair ends July 27 with a full day of activities At 8 a.m. the Fire N’ Ice chili cook off; children’s homemade ice cream and salsa competition start the final day of activities with awards presented at noon at the Covered Arena.

At 10 a.m. at the Covered Arena is an anvil toss and cornhole tournament.

At 5:30 p.m. at the Livestock Barn Show Ring, the week wraps up with the 4-H and FFA Junior Livestock Auction.

What defines a county fair?

County fairs provide industrial exhibits, demonstrations, and competitions to advance youth development emphasizing youth educational activities through 4-H or the Future Farmers of America (FFA), noted the International Association of Fairs and Expos website.

“Most fairs also provide exceptional educational activities to help today’s consumer understand the importance of farming and the food source on their plate. While enjoying these high-minded pursuits, fair visitors can also see, hear, touch, smell, and taste the richness and variety of what the world has to offer,” read a further description of the website.

More information on the Eddy County Fair may be found at www.eddycountyfair. com.