The Clark County Fair and Rodeo Flag Riders including Brenda Slocumb, Anita Shanahan, Lynette Williams, Stacy Cameron, Shelly Logan, Cori Leachman, Stephanie Kimmble, Trish Ott, Irene Barlow, Kayla Leachman, Brianna Davis, Darci Davis, Cindy Shakespeare, Britney Shakespeare, Leah Bradberry, Alex Jones, Samantha Olson and Mandee Davis have practiced twice a week for months to prepare for this year’s rodeo. The women, who range in age from 16 to 52, are all residents of Moapa, Overton and Logandale. They will perform a unique horseback routine and carry the sponsorship flags in the rodeo.

By Mike Donahue

Moapa Valley Progress

The 2011 Clark County Fair and Rodeo, “Horns and Hides, Laughs and Rides,” kicks off Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Logandale Fairgrounds. The event culminates months of hard work by hundreds of people.

“We’ve really tried to make this year’s fair something that will appeal to all ages,” said Todd Robison, executive director of the fair. “Naturally we’ve got the traditional kinds of events, displays and activities we’ve always had, but we’ve tried to add things that will appeal to a younger audience as well.”

Robison said live entertainment is scheduled almost continuously at the three stages on the fairgrounds including the Plaza Stage, Midway Stage and Brandin Iron BBQ Stage. Scheduled acts include The Lost Boys, a rock group; Tim Gabrielson, a comedic magician; Tyzen, a hypnotist; The Alley Cats, an a cappella group; Carlie Wall, a singer/songwriter, and Powerhouse, a singing group.

The fair’s featured concert Friday night is the up-and-coming country music group “Gloriana,” whose recently-released single “Wanna Take You Home” is getting some terrific reviews.

“We’re starting to break out of being just a country fair and becoming a major country music venue,” Robison said.

What has turning out to be a surprise hit this year is the mutton bustin’ competition. “We’ve got an almost complete roster for every qualifying round on each day of the fair,” Robison said.

Mutton Bustin’ is a competition for youths 4 to 7 years old who weigh less than 60 pounds to try and ride a wooly sheep for six seconds. Each contestant, boys and girls, are outfitted with protective head gear and get assistance from a parent and event organizers. They are judged on the skill they demonstrate while staying aboard a running, bucking sheep for the required time. There are two qualifying rounds each day in a small arena set up in the southwest corner of the fairgrounds and then a championship round nightly before the PRCA rodeo starts in the evening.

Each contestant is charged a $15 entry fee which is added to a daily purse that is pro-rated and split between the winners each night. Each contestant also gets a T-shirt and the night qualifying round winners get a Montana Silversmith belt buckle.

“The kids really come dressed to kill – boots, jeans, cowboy shirts and hats — and they really have a blast,” Robison said. “This is one event where we succeed in giving the kids an enjoyable, fun and realistic competition. Our biggest challenge here is getting enough seating.”

The Junior Livestock Show and Auction is still a big part of the fair. The original in 1956 was a precursor to the current event and it still plays a big role in what the fair is all about.

Youngsters have been raising steers, lambs, pigs and goats for months preparing them for the fair resulting in the finest quality animals anywhere in the nation. A group of 4-Hers this year are raising market or “meat” chickens.

Robison reminds potential buyers that most of the animals shown in the fair are available for purchase at a livestock auction and participating is as easy as showing up and raising your hand. The sell price includes cutting, wrapping and delivery of the meat.

The PRCA sanctioned rodeo, sponsored by Boyd Gaming, is a must see for many fair goers. As of last year, the event is part of the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour linking 22 of the best rodeos in the country.

A slack competition featuring 20 timed event contestants competing for money in tie-down roping, steer wrestling and team roping will be held each day at 2 p.m.. The top 12 slack winners return nightly to compete in the nightly rodeo where they’ll be joined by the some of the world’s best rough stock riders and barrel racers.

The nightly performances start at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with a performance Sunday at 6 p.m.

A fair wouldn’t be a fair without a carnival and this year’s is hosted by Royal West Amusements and Inland Empire.

Robison said the fair this year has tied into the social network phenomenon and those interested can connect on Twitter and Facebook. Drawings will be held throughout the duration of the fair and winners can receive notification via both networks.

The fair will be open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

“We’ve got a new national sponsor this year, Geico Insurance, and we hope it’s going to help us make this year’s event the best ever,” Robison said. “We want everyone to come and have a great, safe experience this year. Just have a good time.”