Media Tipsheet – Colorado State Fair

Note to Editors: The following is a collection of media tips that includes experts and resources at Colorado State University. The media tip sheet is intended to provide resources to reporters and editors and is not intended as contact information for the public.

4-H Strives to Teach Ethics
The Colorado State Fair is a time for youth from around the state to show off a year’s worth of hard work. But 4-H officials stress that fairs are about more than blue ribbons and trophies; they’re about molding youth into ethical, responsible citizens. Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, the organization overseeing 4-H in Colorado, incorporates this training into their 4-H curriculum and also sets standards and protocol for county and state fair events to ensure that awards are won ethically. For more information contact Dale Leidheiser at 719-561-3480 or Dell Rae Moellenberg 970-491-6009.

A Look at the 2002 Wildfire Season
The Colorado State Forest Service display in the Natural Resources Building focuses on the 2002 wildfires. The exhibit features information on fire ecology, fire restoration efforts, how to protect your home from wildfires and how small-diameter wood that is removed from the forest to reduce fire hazard can be made into a variety of useful products. CSFS staff will be available to answer questions about wildfire and other forestry related issues. For additional information, contact Bob Sturtevant at 970-491-7598 or 970-222-8695.

Livestock shows and sales
At the junior livestock show, a year’s worth of work on the part of 4-H’ers comes to fruition when they get to demonstrate their showmanship skills with their animal. Livestock shows begin on opening day of the state fair. Many animals will be sold at the Junior Livestock Auction on August 21st. The Colorado State Wranglers, a group of Colorado State alumni and friends, will purchase animals at the sale on behalf of the university. Frank Pierz can be reached for more information at 970-222-1068.

How do children of all ages in Colorado get to learn from Colorado State University? By enrolling in
4-H, a program that uses the latest research into what helps youth become responsible, productive leaders in society to build fun learning experiences for kids. 4-H is a program lead by Colorado State University Cooperative Extension and is open to all children in the state of Colorado. In addition to learning about animals or photography or rockets or cooking, youth are actually learning about sportsmanship, leadership, citizenship, teamwork, responsibility and community service through research-proven methods. Call Dale Leidheiser or Doug Steele at the fair at 719-561-3480 for more information, or Dell Rae Moellenberg at 970-491-6009.

Eight-legged critters at the fair
Grade school students from the Pueblo area will get a chance to see some little critters in action when they visit the world of bugs, hosted by Colorado State faculty and students from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 28 and 29 in the Small Animal Exhibition Building. About 1,500 students and their teachers will get to see spiders, scorpions and other insects while learning about how bugs are actually often beneficial, how insects metamorphous and about Colorado’s biggest insect nests. For more information, call Dell Rae Moellenberg 970-491-6009.

Golf tournament and football game viewing party
The Colorado State University’s Southeastern Colorado Alumni and Friends Golf Tournament at the Pueblo Golf Tournament will benefit scholarship funds for local students. The tournament is hosted by Colorado State University Alumni Association and the Pueblo Alumni Chapter. The four-person scramble tournament will be held on August 22. Alumni and friends also will gather to watch the Colorado State Rams take on the University of Virginia. For more information, contact Emily Porter at 970-491-3591 or 1-800-286-ALUM.

Colorado State University and 4-H Photo Ops:

  • Creative cooks contest, 8:30 a.m. through 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 24, 4-H Home Economics Building. Kids 8 through 18-years-old will compete for the best host or hostess role in this fun contest. The contest is designed to help 4-H’ers learn about nutrition and prepare meals that are healthy; increase poise and self-confidence and increase their use of Colorado specialty foods. Competitors create a menu booklet, table setting and meal. 8- to 10-year-olds compete at 8:30 a.m.; 11- to 13-year-olds compete at 11 a.m. and 14- to 18-year-olds compete at 2:30 p.m.
  • Cake decorating contest, 8:45 a.m. through 2:45 p.m, Sunday, Aug. 25, 4-H Home Economics Building. This contest begins with the youngest participants (8 years old) and the simplest units and progress in difficulty throughout the day. The participants must decorate a cake or cake form within a designated time limit.
  • State Fair performing arts show, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 31, 4-H Auditorium and 8:30 a.m. to noon, Sunday, Sept. 1, Pepsi Park Band Shell. Colorado’s youngster sing and dance their way through this contest, which participants challenged in categories that include tap, modern, jazz, ballet, Western line, swing, and native dancing; gymnastics, baton twirling; and singing. Participants as young as 8 years old compete.