Judith Basin County Fair

Published: 2020
By Katie Hatlelid

This year presented many challenges, one of which was how to successfully execute a county fair in the midst of a pandemic. Working with the Judith Basin County Fairboard, Central Montana Health District, and the Judith Basin County 4-H Council, Judith Basin MSU Extension was able to hold a successful county fair. The usual process of planning and holding a fair is almost a year-long endeavor. This year, extra meetings, modifications, and more direct communication than ever were necessary for the plan to work. We involved the CMHD from the beginning and were able to make a plan that everyone could support. We added an online platform to our livestock sale for the first time and that change will be continued next year. We made some logistical changes for competitors entering and exiting the sale ring, and those changes will also be adopted for next year. After the fair was over, numerous parents, 4-H members, and community members commented on how much it meant to be able to have the event in a relatively normal fashion. We had one of the best livestock sales in our 77-year history. In a time when things are uncertain, being able to provide a safe, positive outlet for our youth and their families was crucial to the collective mental health of the whole county. The smiles and camaraderie the whole 4-H program displayed during the 2020 Judith Basin County Fair were remarkable, impactful, and refreshing. It was a privilege to be a part of.