Showing posts with label Denver County Fair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Denver County Fair. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Denver County Fair - The Craziest County Fair in America!

Denver County Fair honors most of the fine traditions of America’s county fairs, which have been enjoyed by millions of people for over 100 years. But, they are NEW - founded in 2011. Today, Denver is a progressive, bustling metropolis, forging a reputation as “the new creative capital.” 

So expect Denver County Fair to do things differently than the fairs that were established last century, or the century before, and find out why they have been called "the craziest county fair in America!"

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Calling All Drag Queens! The Miss Denver County Fair Drag Queen Pageant Wants You


The Miss Denver County Fair Drag Queen Pageant will take place Saturday, July 30 at 6pm at the Denver County Fair. 

Preregister by emailing tracy@denvercountyfair.org.








Monday, July 11, 2016

Denver County Fair - The Craziest County Fair in America!

Denver County Fair honors most of the fine traditions of America’s county fairs, which have been enjoyed by millions of people for over 100 years. But, they are NEW - founded in 2011. Today, Denver is a progressive, bustling metropolis, forging a reputation as “the new creative capital.” 

So expect Denver County Fair to do things differently than the fairs that were established last century, or the century before, and find out why they have been called "the craziest county fair in America!"

Friday, July 8, 2016

Denver County Fair - The Craziest County Fair in America!

Denver County Fair honors most of the fine traditions of America’s county fairs, which have been enjoyed by millions of people for over 100 years. But, they are NEW - founded in 2011. Today, Denver is a progressive, bustling metropolis, forging a reputation as “the new creative capital.” 

So expect Denver County Fair to do things differently than the fairs that were established last century, or the century before, and find out why they have been called "the craziest county fair in America!"

Monday, August 10, 2015

Nice To See StevieB: The Fair is a Veritable Smorgasbord

By StevieB

Last weekend the Roommate and I went to the Denver County Fair. Because it is August and that is what you do. Attend a County Fair. Although, it being an urbancentric fair it was different than the fairs I have attended in my past.

When I was a kid (I have no idea my age, maybe eightish) I entered the county fair in the only competition I possibly could have been qualified for. Although, in my defense if they had a shag carpet vacuuming contest or bathtowel-folding competition back in 1983, I would have smoked the other competitors. I would have received, no doubt, several blue ribbons. Because even at eight, I was a marksman when it came to resetting our 300 pound Kirby vacuum cleaner from low pile to high pile. I could swap out the brush bar for the crevice hose in 27 seconds flat. This personal talent, however, was lost on my Father. He also didn't seem impressed with how I could keep two bath towels, two hand towels, and two fingertip towels perfectly folded and constantly hanging on the bathroom towel rod used by seven children. My two major talents went unappreciated by my Mormon rancher Father.

Instead of having the first eight year old boy to have a grand sweep of all the "Good Housewife" ribbons he pushed me into "Rabbit Care." Think of the bragging rights my Father missed. "Well, my boy placed first in the Swag & Jabot sewing contest at last year's fair," he would brag over the General Tire service counter as he rung up a local city councilman. Instead, he had to settle on explaining how his son was the one kid that didn't get a ribbon, due to letting his rabbit loose in the middle of the 4-H judging contest. Bunnies were cute and all, but nothing compared to my innate talent of cutting down corduroy pants to make kicky summer shorts. A self-taught prodigy. I bet to this day, I could pull and replace the dust bag out of a Kirby Sentria without letting a single dust-bunny loose.

I thought of this as I wandered around the Denver County Fair. Hoping against all odds there would be a just one Good Housekeeping competition. Just a side stage somewhere that was one contestant short. I guess it is for the best. Attempting to re-live your past just is not healthy. Instead, I went to taunt the Rainbow Vacuums salesperson.


This post originally appeared on Steven Bennet's website Nice to See StevieB. Republished with permission.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Denver County Fair Opens FRIDAY! Discounted tix sales end TOMORROW!


The 5th anniversary 2015 Denver County Fair kicks off this Friday and it's basically the best weekend of the year so make plans to be there!

Tomorrow is the last day to get these special discounted offers online: 


• Family 4-Packs! $25 for any 4 family members! Just $20 if you go on Friday!


• $10 regular adult admission - will be $12 at the door! (Kids, seniors and military: $5 always. <5 FREE.)


• Pie Jury Tickets - $35 to taste any or all of our entries in the Best Pie Categories! Not sold at door!


• Group Rate Tickets - Save 20% off advance ticket prices with groups of 10 or more! Online only!


• Buy online and skip the ticket purchase lines! Take your eTicket straight to entrance!

Want in for FREE? VOLUNTEER to get free fair admission, free parking, t-shirts, posters and more!

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Enter a Blue Ribbon Competition at the Denver County Fair!

Denver County Fair opens next month. It's going to be amazing and you can be part of it! There are over 100 blue ribbon competitions and entrance fee is just $3.

Click Here to Enter a Denver County Fair Competition
Competition Categories include everything from...
- Rabbits to Robots!
- Paintings to Pickles to Peeps Dioramas!
- Cosplay to Carrot Cakes!
- Novelty Produce to Homemade Bongs!
- Quilts, Pies, Jewelry Design, Backyard Chickens, and many more!

 

Check out ALL of the categories HERE

Friday, June 5, 2015

Everclear Summerland Tour comes to the Denver County Fair!


They hosted the legendary DEVO their first year and now the Denver County Fair is celebrating their 5-Year Anniversary and pulling out all the stops to bring you the Summerland Tour with Everclear, Toadies, Fuel and American Hi Fi - it's basically a Stadium Arena concert, whoo!

Formed in 2012 by Art Alexakis, lead guitarist and vocalist of Everclear, Summerland Tour has featured notable nostalgic bands such as Soul Asylum, Eve 6, Spacehog, Gin Blossoms, Lit, Sugar Ray, Marcy Playground, Live, Filter, and Sponge.

Says Alexakis, "This is the kind of line up I've dreamed of when I started the Summerland Tour. With Toadies, Fuel, American Hi-Fi, and of course Everclear, this is guitar rock at its finest. I can’t wait to see how people react each night. Game on!"

Monday, June 1, 2015

Denver County Fair, Doing Things A Little Bit Differently

YEE HAW! "THE CRAZIEST COUNTY FAIR IN AMERICA!" - KDVR Fox 31

"Groundbreaking!" ... "Unconventional!"...

"Re-inventing the County Fair!" ..." Finally, a county fair for the 21st century!"...


That how they roll at the Denver County Fair, July 31 through August 3, a celebration of the creativity and personality of Denver, with events, exhibitors, blue ribbon competitions and more.


Denver County Fair honors most of the fine traditions of America’s county fairs, which have been enjoyed by millions of people for over 100 years. But, they are NEW - founded in 2011. Today, Denver is a progressive, bustling metropolis, forging a reputation as “the new creative capital.” So expect things to be done a little bit differently than the fairs that were established last century, or the century before.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Denver County Fair launches world’s first Pot Pavilion

Who will win the nation’s first Blue Ribbon for “Best Pot Brownie” at a county fair? We’ll find out the first weekend in August, when Denver County Fair introduces the nation’s first County Fair Pot Pavilion.

The Pot Pavilion joins the Fair’s new Beer Pavilion, both situated on a new upper floor where proof-of-age ID (21 and over) will be required for entry. Once inside, attendees can enjoy themed events on the “Rocky Mountain High Stage” and roam among pot-themed exhibitor booths. The Pavilion’s Competition Display area will include entries into various categories, including “Best Homemade Bong,” “Best Brownie Recipe,” “Best Hemp Garment” “Best Cloned Plant,” “Best Home-Made Tie-Dye” and more.

Stage events will include Live Blue Ribbon Competitions like “Speed Rolling” and a “Doritos Eating Contest,” in addition to live bands, comedians, a laser light show, a "Reefer Madness" screening, Grateful Dead Karaoke and more.


Just four years old, Denver County Fair was founded by leaders in Denver’s Art Community, Tracy Weil and Dana Cain. The pair has never skimped on the innovations, virtually re-inventing the County Fair layout, while keeping most of the nostalgic, favorite County Fair traditions. “We’re mixing up a big batch of tradition with a side of NOW” has been the fair’s motto. And crowds have grown steadily each year, drawn by the lure of juxtaposition … pie eating contests alongside Robot Opera; Pony Rides and Unicorn rides; the Art Pavilion next to the Geek Pavilion; a DEVO concert along with a mother-daughter Journey tribute band; Miss Denver County Fair Drag Queen Pageants and Radio Disney performances; and the infamous Corpses & Crowns Zombie Beauty Pageant… just after the Blue Ribbon Musical Chairs event in the Kids Pavilion.

“We like to mix it up, and represent all things Denver,” says Denver County Fair’s co-founder and Marketing Director Tracy Weil. “Denver is the most pioneering city in the U.S. It’s our Western ‘can do’ sprit! It’s time for this to happen. Colorado voters spoke last year and pot is legal now. Medical marijuana has already been legal here for years, so pot is pretty mainstream to us.”

“We had to have a Pot Pavilion,” says Denver County Fair Director Dana Cain. “Being the first city in the world to legislate recreational marijuana is not an accomplishment we can ignore. So far, it really looks like a win-win for Denver, and the tax revenues are already bringing in millions of dollars for Colorado’s public education.”

In compliance with Denver’s new laws, there will be no marijuana allowed on the premises during this event. Judging for some categories in the Pot Pavilion will be held offsite. Attendees over 21 will be able to experience cutting edge Denver pot culture in a safe, fun, and educational environment.

The Pot Pavilion will be one of four new pavilions joining Denver County Fair this year. The adjoining Beer Pavilion will celebrate the fact that Colorado is also the nation’s number one beer producing state. And Denver boasts the largest number of craft beer breweriesin the US. The Sports Pavilion is another new addition, timed to celebrate Denver’s impending Super Bowl win (Yes, we said it!) And last but not least, the new I ❤ Denver Pavilion will feature local creative businesses, unicorn rides, and square dancers, alongside a host of Denver-themed crafts and offerings.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Volunteer at The Denver County Fair and Get Free Admissions and Other Goodies!

The Denver County Fair is looking for some great volunteers. Volunteers will get free admission and free parking. Work at least four hours and get a free Denver County Fair poster (artwork by Mark Penner-Howell!) Work more hours, and get more gifts!

They've got all kinds of fun jobs, including:

- Competition Entry Registration

- Work in the Animal Pavilion

- Help direct vendors for load-in

- Help with performers and stage set-ups

- GreenUp Denver help

- Geek Pavilion support

- .... and Lots More!

The online sign-up system lets you pick which times you’ll work, and in many cases – which area!

Support the Fair and Volunteer Now!

Monday, July 15, 2013

Denver County Fair competition categories cater to the traditional, and the surreal DIYers

Denver County Fair is not known for its strict adherence to tradition. In fact, the opposite is true, as the Fair, now in its third year, seeks to embrace "all things Denver" ... including Denver's wild side

"We're all about showcasing the creativity of Denver metro's people," says Fair co-founder, Tracy Weil. "We want everyone to bring out their best - and go for the blue ribbon! Some people will enter homegrown tomatoes, and some people will enter elaborate Peeps dioramas. Both of those things have become Denver staples. And that's what we're about - the uniqueness and creativity of Denver."

Colorado residents can, of course, win blue ribbons for their, pies, pickles, quilts and chickens. It wouldn't be a County Fair without those. But have a look at some of Denver County Fair's more unique Blue Ribbon categories..

Best Homemade Robot - Geek Pavilion

Best Compost - Farm & Garden Pavilion

Best Peeps Diorama - Crafts Pavilion (Yes, this craze began in Denver!)

Corpses & Crowns: Zombie Beauty Pageant - Fashion Pavilion

Best Molded Gelatin Dessert - Kitchen Pavilion

Best Novelty Produce (Celebrity look-alike veggies, biggest, smallest, etc.) - Farm & Garden Pavilion

Best Artists Trading Cards - Art Pavilion

Best Homeopathic Remedy - Holistic Pavilion

Best Denver Antique - History Pavilion

Best Colorado Fossil - History Pavilion

...and many more!

Deadline for entering the blue ribbon competitions online is Friday, July 26. Online entry forms are here: http://www.denvercountyfair.org/competitions/.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Call for Artists: Denver County Fair

The Denver County Fair will be back before you know it! If you are an artist who wants to rent a booth or enter pieces into their Open Gallery now's the time to get your ish together!

Monday, September 10, 2012

Donate to the Denver County Fair!


 

 
Do you LOVE the Denver County Fair? They need your help to put on the 3rd Annual 2013 Denver County Fair! Click here to support them and contribute through Fundly.
 
The Denver County Fair currently receives no funding from the local government or the City and County. This grass roots effort is organized by two Denver residents and a small staff who LOVE our city and want to CELEBRATE its creativity and culture! The fair hosts over 25 non-profits including providing an outlet for Denver's 4H program. The fair also provides a setting for citizens of Colorado to show off their best and participate for the coveted blue ribbon! A full 95% of Denver County Fair vendors and exhibitors are local small businesses. This year the event hosted 275 events on 14 stages and handed out more than 200 blue ribbons! 
 
The Denver County Fair is all about local! The event supports the educational celebration of local food, local sustainability, local community work, local jobs, local production and local creativity!
 
But we can’t do it alone! The Denver County Fair costs more than $200,000 to put on. Every donation helps them out a LOT! So please, give what you can, and show some Denver County Fair LOVE! The goal is to raise $15,000. Donors will be recognized at the 2013 Denver County Fair next August on their donor wall. 
 
 
DONATION LEVEL PERKS:
  • $25 Donation receives (2) Free Adult Admissions to the 2013 Denver County Fair!
  • $50 Donation receives the above plus (1) Free 2012 Denver County Fair Poster!
  • $100 Donation receives a Poster & Family 4-Pak 3-day pass (also good for 4 adults) to the 2013 Denver County Fair!
  • $250 Donation receives a Poster & Family 4-Pak 3-day pass (also good for 4 adults) and free admission to our Denver County Fair Workshops on various subjects from bee keeping to canning & knitting.
  • $500 Donation receives all of the above and VIP Seating at select 2013 Special Events.
  • $1000 Donation receives all of the above and VIP Parking and guided tour of the Fair by one of its founders!
  • $2500 Donation receives all of the above and a special Denver County Fair VIP food and wine tasting invitation.
Shopping at the Denver County Fair Store online also helps! Click here to buy t-shirts, cookbooks, posters and more. Please contact the Denver County Fair office with questions. tracy@denvercountyfair.org
 





Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Thank You from the Denver County Fair!


From Dana Cain of Dana Cain Events: 

A BIG THANK YOU to all who attended and participated in the 2nd Annual Denver County Fair! We hosted 275 Events on 14 Stages and gave away over 200 Blue Ribbons!
Congratulations to all the winners!
 
We're already gearing up for next year and could use your financial support! 
  • Shop the Denver County Fair Online Store! (Get your limited edition posters, t-shirts, cookbooks and mugs!)
  • Do you LOVE the Denver County Fair? We're trying to raise $25,000 for the 2013 Denver County Fair! This grass roots effort recieves no funding from the government or City and County. Please consider donating to help support our efforts in putting on this great community event! Donate here!

Friday, August 10, 2012

Denver County Fair 2012: Kicks off today!

The Denver County Fair returns this year to the National Western Complex on August 10 - 12 and we hear it's going to be gayer than ever!

This annual event celebrates the creativity and personality of Denver, with events, exhibitors, blue ribbon competitions and more!

Denver County Fair honors the fine traditions and values of America’s county fairs, which have been enjoyed by millions of people for over 100 years.

But, they are NEW and they are CUTTING EDGE! Although land was bought for a Denver Fair in the 1800s, that plan was interrupted by a little thing called the “Civil War” and no fair was ever launched. (That land is now City Park, by the way.) Somehow, the idea never came to fruition until NOW – in the 21st century, when Denver is a modern, bustling metropolis, forging a reputation as “the new creative capital.”

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Denver County Fair 2012: Drag Queens Wanted!


Calling all queens! Enter the Miss Denver County Fair Contest this coming Friday! YOU could be the next one crowned Miss Denver County Fair! Click here for more information.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Denver County Fair 2012: Top 10 Reasons to Go


Top 10 New Things at the Denver County Fair this Weekend:

1. More Wacky Food & More Local Food Vendors!

Daily Food Truck Roundup events will feature a variety of local eateries, along with special events including a Cheeseburger Eating Contest, a Hot Pepper Eating Contest, and more. Inside, attendees can soak up the local suds in the new Colorado Been Garden. Also - look for zanier offerings ( Unicorn Poop Cookies, Red Velvet Corn Dogs and more ) and pic up your official Denver County Fair Food Map when you arrive!

2. More Live Competitions! Win the Blue Ribbon!

This year, we have more than 70 opportunities for people to jump on stage and compete for the Blue Ribbons and $20 in "Cluck Bucks" to spend at the County Fair store. Live competitions include everything from pie eating to speed knitting to vying for the best mustache or tattoo.

3. ShowDevils & the Enigma – Hourly shows all 3 days!

Signing The Enigma and ShowDevils was a radical enough departure from classic county fair entertainment. But convincing them to do hourly shows all three days was a real coup. The freakish duo, who are booked almost every weekend at tattoo expos and horror conventions will add a world class entertainment value to Denver County Fair’s Freak Show.

4. The Only County Fair with a Geek Pavilion!

Denver is a geek mecca – a very brainy and tech-saavy town, loaded with some of the best nerdish events in the western US (Think StarFest, MileHiCon, Denver Comic Con, etc ). So, not surprisingly, the Geek Pavilion filled quickly – with vendors and events celebrating sci-fi, zombies, haunted houses, fantasy, fighting robots, comic book creators, spelling bees and more!

5. Sunday is Viva Denver Day!

Turns out one third of Denver County is Latino. So logic dictated that one third of the Denver County Fair should be Latino. And who doesn’t love a good fiesta? Sunday is now Viva Denver Day at the Denver County Fair – with Latino-themed events sprinkled liberally throughout all areas of the fair. It begins with Andrew Novick’s X-Treme Breakfast Burritos and includes piƱata making stations, mariachi bands, a hot pepper eating contest, dio de los muertos face painting, and much more!

6. Carnival is now INDOORS - even the Roller Coaster!

Take THAT, global climate change!!! Our Carnival is now completely indoors – safe from the heat waves, the hail damage, the monsoons and the tornado threats. Fair goers can now ride the roller coasters, play the midway games and test out the bungee trampoline while nestled safely in the massive Stadium Arena. Funzone Amusements is providing over a dozen rides and attractions. Carnival ride tickets may be purchased individually or as a $20 “Unlimited Ride” pass.

7. Animal Pavilion has Quadrupled in size!

Lions and tigers and bears – Oh, YES! Denver County Fair has them all this year. And more. The Animal pavilion will feature load of live animals, a petting zoo, pony rides, miniature horse shows and more! FIDOlympics presented by Denver Dog Sports, will take place all 3 days.

8. New Kids Pavilion with contests & Dora the Explorer!

Kids are invited to get more involved at this year’s Denver County Fair. The massive new Kids Pavilion features loads of interactive opportunities, activity booths, entertainers and a special 12-and-under round of Blue Ribbon Competitions. Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer will be a special guest on Sunday ( Viva Denver Day!), and kids can win blue ribbons in games like Musical Chairs and Pin the Tail on the Burro.

9. 275 Events on 13 Stages in 3 Days

We need to add a cloning booth into the Geek Pavilion – because that’s the only way you can see everything! The full event schedule is online at http://www.denvercountyfair.org/fair-schedule/ Most of the pavilions have their own dedicated stage with themed events. There is TRULY something for everyone - from the silly to the sublime.

10. New Ticket Packages (expire Wednesday!)

Family 4-packs for $25 a day, VIP passes and discounted 3-Day Passes offer great ways to MAXIMIZE your Denver County Fair experience! These specially priced ticket options are available IN ADVANCE, ONLINE ONLY! Once you arrive at the fair, you'll be able to purchase one-day passes only. Buy yours now!











Monday, August 6, 2012

Denver County Fair 2012: A Pig-Free Zone!


"We've got unicorns. We've got zombies. But there are no pigs at our fair," says fair director Dana Cain.

in response to a CDC warning about a viral outbreak that can be transmitted from pigs to humans, Denver County Fair wants to be sure everyone knows they will not have any pigs at this year's fair. The 2nd annual Denver County Fair, which opens on Friday and runs through the weekend at the National Western Complex focuses on animals that are legal in Denver County and does not include traditional livestock. 

"We really celebrate Denver," says co-founder Tracy Weil. " We have our chickens, and some miniature goats, but no pigs. Even though our animal pavilion has quadrupled in size this year, we are still pig-free.

Additionally, all animals entering the Denver County Fair are subjected to vet checks. Cain and Weil say they are assuming that all of Colorado's county fairs will be taking precautions and will in no way endanger the public. They encourage everyone to visit at least one county fair this summer!

So, the only thing Denver County Fair attendees have to fear is ... the zombies...   ( And we're told, they will be appropriately contained. )

See the full event schedule and purchase tickets online at www.denvercountyfair.org.  Denver County Fair returns for its second year to the National Western Comples Aug. 10 - 12. Hours: Friday and Saturday 10:00am - 10:00pm; Sunday 10:00am - 6:00pm. Tickets are $10/adult, $5/kids/seniors/military.  Discounted Family 4-packs and 3-day passes are available online until Wednesday, August 8.

Denver County Fair 2012: Accepting walk-in entries for fashion competitions

The Denver County Fair's fashion pavilion competition manager, Caitlin Ayers has the following message for fashion-inclined readers of MileHighGayGuy:

GUYS! The Denver County Fair is accepting walk-in entries for fashion-type stuff for the following categories:

* Clothing design
* Jewelry design
* Accessory design
* Children's wear
* Costuming
* Fabric art and design
* Repurposed/recycled materials

Here's what you gotta know:
--Drop off entries at the National Western Stock Show Complex on Wed, August 8th from 3-7pm.

-- Walk-in entries are $7 each..which is the price of a mixed drink at a bar in LoDo, so get over it and get over here!

--Great chance to show off your stuff, and blue ribbons in each category win $50! THINK OF THE TACOS YOU COULD BUY WITH THAT GUACAMOLE! (see what I did there?)

--Mondo Guerra is judging some stuff! That's not a lie!

--Winners announced on Friday, August 10th.

--If you don't win, the baby tigers/big tigers/mini horses/baby races/freak shows/drag queen competitions/free ice cream will surely function as adequate consolation. And maybe I'll hug you. Anyway, all of that will actually be at the fair, even though it sounds made up!

More info here: http://www.denvercountyfair.org/competitions/