The Montezuma County Fair, like county fairs across the nation in late summer and early autumn, is a celebration of country life. It harkens back to traditions begun when rural dwellers had to be much more self-sufficient than they do today — when farms and ranches not only fed the nation but provided almost all of the food and many other products for those who inhabited them.
Life is different now. Strawberries and avocados from California, Florida oranges, Mexican beef can arrive by truck and be consumed almost without thought to their origins. Food comes in cans and freezer bags. “TV dinners” and frozen pizzas are almost fully prepared, needing only to be microwaved. Nearly every grocery store has a deli that sells roast chickens, macaroni and cheese and ready-made sandwiches. A faceless baker somewhere else produces bread and cookies. Agriculture seems remote from its end products.
That can’t be good.
Even though most people in Montezuma County are no longer directly involved in the production of food and fiber, and even though ag’s slice of the local economic pie chart dwindles as other segments grow, this is still a rural place. Twice a year — at rodeo time and again at the fair — locals honor the skills and values that connect the land with the people. Those events showcase who we are, regardless of how we might earn our paychecks.
4-H and FFA livestock programs are a strong and positive force for youth. The livestock programs teach them how to choose a young animal, raise it to market age, keep track of costs, and, especially, take responsibility. Even the smallest animals require dedication — just ask any parent whose child has begged for a puppy or kitten and promised to care for it. Other 4-H projects, though less visible, do an equally good job of equipping participants to take a project from start to finish, thinking through all the steps in between. That kind of commitment, day in and day out, is so important for young people to learn, and too many of them don’t understand it before they acquire part-time jobs, cars or babies. Some people never learn.
The fair is about more than 4-H and FFA. There’s art and flowers, crafts and sewing, demonstrations, entertainment, a carnival, lots of great food and ample opportunity to spend time with friends we don’t see often because we’re all busy. At a time when so many people seem hard-wired to electronic devices, it’s good to get out and see what locals really are doing and creating.
Go. You’ll be amazed and impressed at the talent and hard work that are represented there. Take a moment to ponder all the hours and dreams that go into putting together the fair. Walk through the exhibits and talk to the exhibitors. Ask questions. Give compliments. Take pictures. Sitting in the bleachers at the junior livestock sale on Saturday guarantees a long-acting dose of hope for the future of the human race. Bidders and buyers provide support and encouragement for some of the “good kids” in our community.
Say thanks to the folks who work so hard to put the fair together. Fair board members, county extension agents, 4-H leaders, FFA instructors, judges and a whole bunch of other people put in a lot of hours. Let them know their efforts are appreciated.
And think about what the Montezuma County Fair represents, because its value is, in part, in reminding us of what we have that so many other places have lost.
