A much-deserved celebration dedicated to the individuals, businesses, laborers, artisans, farmers, ranchers, miners, mechanics, outdoorsmen, adventurers, neighbors, guests, youth, and elders who make this unique area so special: To all those who came before and all those who will follow, the Grand County Fair is a love letter to every piece of this community that makes it Grand.
It feels like odd timing to resurrect such a nostalgic tradition of bygone days in a distant and disconnected tech-driven world. Fairs and carnivals are dying. Every year sees one less fair or carnival return. With each loss, communities lose support and a part of local tradition; a piece of culture is diminished. These valuable keepsakes are slowly fading into distant memories of “I remember when.”
Fairs are vital gathering places where creative and innovative interests in agriculture, art, and science mingle in an eye-catching kaleidoscope of dedicated hard work; combining education, commerce, industry and entertainment into one big community event.
2024’s Grand County Fair offered something for everyone. The fair started with a parade with over 30 entries from local businesses, clubs, individuals, youth groups and government agencies. The week’s festivities continued at the Old Spanish Trail Arena. MVFD, 4-H, NPS, and the DNR offered fair-goers hands-on activities. Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, 4-H and Future Farms of America were present for fundraising and community support. Friendly competition was on full display in the exhibits, tournaments, derbies, and car show. The sounds of cheering and jeering floated on the breeze, all in the name of good fun. Winners of the colored ribbons and trophies took home bragging rights for life. The smell of fair food tempted taste buds, offering another layer to the ambience and experience. What better way to drown the summer sizzle than with a nice fresh squeezed lemonade and a skip through water from a fire truck. The nights of rodeo, music and dancing offered a nice respite for fair-goers to gather, visit and unwind after a long day of summering. Memories were made this year; memories of good times and camaraderie you cannot replace.
County fairs are a bustling hub of local culture bringing together businesses, organizations, residents, out-of-town guests and excited travelers for fun-filled entertainment highlighting local talent, commerce and resources; providing a singular moment for people to forget life’s growing challenges and uncertainties. This fair encourages a much-needed sense of community connection. We need more of these occasions, outside of work and tragedy, to uplift and support the wonderful individuals who are the strength of this community. We owe to ourselves these continued traditions, experiences and memories of a life worth living.
Mackenzie Daniels
Moab
