Denver County Fair Looking for a National Audience

The idea seems to big to remain Denver's secret ... a county fair geared for the 21st century, combining beloved traditions like pie judging and knitting, with more modern-day trappings like Robot Opera and Peeps Dioramas. A fair encompassing the quaint joy of pony rides, alongside the unexpected thrill of adult-sized big wheel rides. And, of course, the zombie beauty pageant.

It's all part of the Denver County Fair, now entering it's third groundbreaking year, August 9 - 10 -11, indoors at the National Western Complex, on I-70, just east of I-25.

"This fair deserves a national audience," says Denver County Fair director, Dana Cain. "And it's already starting to happen. People are planning their vacations around us. Our goal is to be a summer vacation destination for people from all over! We're right in the middle of the country, so everyone can get here easily. We want to be like Austin's South by Southwest (SXSW), or San Diego Comic Con ... a big national 'can't miss' summer event."

When the fair debuted in 2011, it created a buzz, as an AP Article touting the fair's 21st century design garnered publication in over 175 media outlets nationwide. How does Denver County Fair earn the "revolutionary" tag? One important element is the event design itself. Completely indoors ( protected gainst the growing number of weather disasters ), the fair is divided into 14 themed pavilions - each representing an aspect of Denver, with a themed exhibitor base, competiton displays and staged events.

"We love the traditional aspects of county fairs," says co-founder Tracy Weil. "And we have those. But we've also included lots of modern aspects and themes. We don't have a lot of farm animals in Denver County. But we do have lots of artists, entrepreneurs, DIYers, urban gardeners ... and we showcase that."

Since its inception, Denver County Fair has been raking in awards, including "Best Annual Festival" two years in a row, and the Mayor's Design Award in 2012. Additionally, other fairs have been contacting Cain and Weil for pointers and advice on how to move their fairs into the 21st century. " Most county fairs have been around for over 100 years," says Cain. "and many are still using the systems and organizational structures they used in the 1930s. These days, folks need to be able to do everything online. We're actually working on a plan to expand our consultation business."

But the behind-the-scenes organizational streamlining isn't what it putting Denver County Fair on the map. It's the addition of things like the Geek Pavilion, the Holistic Pavilion, the Green Pavilion and the Freak Show that raises eyebrows. It's the list of more than 150 free staged events, and the plethora of spontaneous, amusing live blue ribbon competitions ( The Human Chicken Contest, the Best Tattoo Contest, the scads of competitive eating contests, and more. )

"Denver is gaining a global reputation as being a hotbed of creativity and progressive ideas," says Denver County Fair Director Dana Cain. "We are the new creative capital, and people are starting to notice. And it's one of the reasons that our County Fair is so unique and so innovative. We are representing those aspects of Denver County. That's why we have a Geek Pavilion, a Holistic Pavilion and a Green Pavilion. Denver demands those things."