JEFFERSON COUNTY —Standing in a barn on the Church Ranch property in Westminster, 16-year-old Peyton Huss patiently brushed her bull calf, Felix, and talked about the last six months getting him ready for market.
Felix now weighs 1,190 pounds — up from 600. Huss has meticulously tracked his weight, diet and health. She’s worked with him almost every day, leading him with a halter and show stick and bathing and brushing him.
Felix is “nicer than than the other cow I had; he likes to eat fruit snacks,” Huss said. “I’ll definitely miss him when he goes to sale.”
The Jefferson Academy junior will be competing against dozens of other 4-H members in the market beef competition at the Jefferson County Fair the weekend of Aug. 8-10.
In addition to evaluating the animals, the judges rate the exhibitors on showmanship, their record book and a personal interview.
4-H programs have been synonymous with county fairs across the country for generations, and this year’s fair will have something for everyone, said Sherie Wren, the vice-president of Jeffco Fair Inc.
With several new elements and returning crowd-pleasers, fairgoers can watch horseriding displays followed by fireworks, meet pageant royalty, check out a classic car show, sample food, meet farm animals and buy animals at auction.
“We don’t have carnival rides this year, but we do have a kids’ fun zone with a 200-foot zip line, hamster ball and obstacle course,” Wren said. “We tried to make sure everything is fun and cheap; Friday and Saturday admission is $1, and Sunday is free.”
A chili cook-off and beer fest has expanded and is now certified as the 4-Corners Regional Chili Cook-Off.
The marquee event though, is Saturday night’s rodeo, which is preceded by the mutton-bustin’ competition and followed by a performance from headliners the Tyler Walker Band.
In addition to showing Felix, Huss has also been working with pigs, chickens and a miniature cow-calf pair she will be entering in competition.
Huss has been at Church Ranch every day all summer training and caring for the animals. She has been working with farm animals since she was 6 years old. In fact, when her mother gave her a choice between the mini-cow and a car as a birthday present this year, she chose the bovine.
“She was pregnant, so I got a two-for-one,” said Huss, who plans to attend Colorado State University to major in agricultural science after she graduates.
4-H kids will also be running a marketplace where they’ll be selling a variety of goods including leathercraft, woodworking, honey, baked goods, livestock, poultry and eggs.
“We really need folks to come and purchase from the kids, since that supports them being able to continue in 4-H livestock projects,” said Lisa Sholten, Jeffco CSU Extension agent for 4-H youth development.
Austin Briggs: 303-954-1729, abriggs@denverpost.com
Jefferson county fair
When: Aug. 8-10
Where: Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 15200 W. Sixth Ave., Golden
More information: 303-271-6600 or jeffcofairinc.org
