Organizers, vendors, participants, entertainers and fair-goers are firming up plans for the 85th Annual Lea County Fair and PRCA Rodeo. The nine-day extravaganza is scheduled for July 30th – August 7th at the Lea County Fairgrounds in Lovington. The fair is Lea County’s biggest event of the year.
Following the cancellation of the 2020 fair due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 fair will be a return to normal, despite growing concerns as the delta variant spreads across the country.
With the 2021 theme “Traditions We Treasure”, the fair offers something for everyone. Special evening events include:
- July 30th at 7:00 pm Hispanic Heritage Celebration
- July 31st at 7:00 pm Mutton Bustin’
- August 3rd at 7:00 pm Xtreme Bulls Event
- August 4th thru 7th at 7:30 pm PRCA Rodeo
Other fair highlights are the arts and crafts showcase, the livestock shows, the fiddlers’ contest, the royalty contests, the pioneer iron chef cook off, the parade, the fun-filled carnival and yummy food for every palate. With all of these doings, the annual concert series has not even been mentioned.
At their regular meeting on Thursday, June 10th, Lea County Commissioners approved the 2021 entertainment concert “lineup” at a cost of $410,450.00. This figure includes expenses for the Hispanic Heritage Celebration about which arrangements are yet to be finalized.
Rodeo Events
Rodeo events will take place at the Jake McClure arena.
- Muttin Bustin’ – Saturday, July 31 at 7:00 PM
- Local Team Roping – Sunday, August 1 at 4:00 PM
- Xtreme Bull Riding – Tuesday, August 3 at 7:00 PM
- PRCA Rodeo, 1st Performance – Wednesday, August 4 at 7:00 PM
- PRCA Rodeo, 2nd Performance – Thursday, August 5 at 7:00 PM
- Queen & Princess Horsemanship Competition – Friday, August 6 at 2:00 PM
- PRCA Rodeo, 3rd Performance – Friday, August 6 at 7:00 PM
- Special Rodeo – Saturday, August 7 at 4:30 PM
- PRCA Rodeo, Final Performance – Saturday, August 7 at 7:00 PM
For more information on the PRCA events, visit the PRCA website.
Carnival
The carnival is coming to town and bringing a variety of fun and exciting rides for fair-goers. The carnival is operated by Wright’s Amusements and will open daily at 5:00 PM beginning on Friday July 30. Carnival tickets are $1 each and rides cost an average of 3 to 5 tickets each.
- Dollar Night – Tuesday, August 3 – All rides are $1
- Canned Food Night – Thursday, August 5 – Bring 2 cans of food and get an unlimited wristband for $25
- Unlimited Wristbands – Wednesday, August 4 through Saturday, August 7 – Unlimited ride wristbands are $35
No open-toed shoes are allowed for any ride due to safety concerns.
Concert Series
The group of entertainers slated to perform at this year’s fair is the same as those who were scheduled to perform during last year’s fair which was canceled because of COVID-19. They are:
- Mike Ryan – Tuesday, August 3
- Zach Williams – Wednesday, August 4
- Clay Walker – Thursday, August 5
- Confederate Railroad with Exile – Friday, August 6
- Gary Allan – Saturday, August 7
Each musical performance will take place at the Main Stage at 9:30 PM.
The list is packed with talent and deciding which concerts to attend depends on personal preference. To help out the following information about the 2021 lineup is offered.
Mike Ryan
Born in 1988, Mike Ryan is from San Antonio, Texas. Both a singer and songwriter, he is very popular with county music enthusiasts. Generating over 100 million streams to date, Mike “plants his audience inside his songs,” states his website.
Zach Williams
Originally from Jonesboro, Arkansas, Zach Williams was the lead singer from 2007 through 2012 for the rock group Zach Williams and The Reformation. Since 2016 he has gained recognition as a solo artist. Now from Nashville, he is one of Christian Contemporary Music’s (CCM) “leading artists and songwriters”, according to his website.
Larry Wheeler
A favorite of Lea County Commissioners Chairwoman Rebecca Long and Fair and Rodeo Board Chairman Larry Wheeler, Clay Walker’s performance at the 2021 Lea County Fair is anticipated with great enthusiasm. Labeled a songwriter, singer and entertainer, the “about” section at ClayWalker.com states: Walker has “31 charted singles, 11 No. 1s, four platinum albums and decades of performances to his credit. Titles spanning 15 years and still receiving strong airplay include “Live Until I Die,” “Dreaming With My Eyes Open,” “This Woman And This Man,” “Hypnotize The Moon,” “Rumor Has It,” “Then What,” “The Chain Of Love,” “I Can’t Sleep” and “She Won’t Be Lonely Long”.
Confederate Railroad and Exile
There is no doubt that Confederate Railroad will feature some of the songs from their new album, “Lucky to Be Alive” when they perform at the fair on August 6th. Being a part of the national country music scene since the early 90s, the band has a “unique style and sound”.
Sharing the stage with Confederate Railroad on August 6th is Exile. Performing since 1963, Exile was first known as a rock band but later turned to country music. A few days before their concert at the fair, the group will be performing at the Grand Ole Opry. Exile’s Facebook page states: “We’re so happy to be back.”
Gary Allan
Headliner Gary Allan wraps up the 2021 concert series. Before his performance at the fair on August 7th, Allan will celebrate the release his new album “Ruthless” in Nashville on June 25th. A Californian, Allan signed with Decca records in 1996. He has the accolade of having 26 singles on the “US Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts”.
Admission
General admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Children 5 and younger may enter free of charge. There will also be several free days where admission is free all day: Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. There is also free admission any day before 5:00 PM.
Complete information about the 85th Lea County Fair and PRCA Rodeo is available at the Lea County website. Fair information is regularly updated, and online registration is available. During the next weeks, this resource tool will prove invaluable to all.
Great writeup about the fair!