The 74th Annual Coconino County Fair is Coming Soon

FLAGSTAFF — The 74th Annual Coconino County Fair is Labor Day Weekend, September 1 – 4, at the Fort Tuthill County Park Fairgrounds. The County Fair supports the longstanding tradition of agricultural skills in the community. Every year, thousands of people from all over Arizona and beyond visit the County Fair to enjoy the talented exhibitors, diverse entertainment, food, rides, and fun.

The Coconino County Fair entertainment lineup is especially diverse this year, with Indigenous, Latin, and Asian artists, as well as local bands, dancers, country, bluegrass, cover bands, tribute acts, magic, comedy, and more. New artists this year include Dan Meyer -Sword Swallower, The Perceptives Hypnotist Show, and Rollo the Biggest Kid In the World, a comedy stilt act. Familiar fun, like Shawn Eric Magic Fun Show, A Girl and Her Balloons, Flagstaff Dancin’ Grannies, the Flagstaff Community Band, and The Dune Sea Garrison Star Wars Characters will be returning, as well as the Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival’s Mini-Renaissance faire.

Main Stage Headliners:

Thunder and Lightnin’, Friday 8:00 p.m.
Jerrod Niemann, Saturday 8:00 p.m.
Selena Forever Tribute, Sunday 8:00 p.m.
Hot Red Chili Peppers, Monday 2:00 p.m.

Visitors can also see the talented work of community members in the exhibit buildings. Longtime Fort Tuthill County Park partners will be open for visitors at the Fort Tuthill Military Museum, Flagstaff Model Railroad Club, and Flagstaff Gems and Minerals. The Northern Arizona Antique Tractor and Engine Association will also be displaying machines from agricultural history. Visitors can also enjoy new contests and competitions on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, pictures with Coco the Cow, carnival rides, food, and more.

For a full schedule of events, contests, and entertainment, as well as to purchase tickets and parking passes, visit www.CoconinoCountyFair.com. Save time and space by choosing to carpool, bike, or use the free Fair shuttle, for ease of access through the crowds. Visitors are encouraged to use the new recycling bins for bottles and cans, to help keep the Coconino County Fair clean and fun for everyone.

74th Coconino County Fair Early Bird Tickets available

FLAGSTAFF —Early bird tickets are available for the 74th annual Coconino County Fair that runs from September 1-4. The early bird tickets and wristbands are available until July 31 online and at Bookmans.

The ticket costs are:

  • Adults – $8
  • Youth (6 – 12) – $3
  • Senior (65 and older) – $4
  • Early Bird Carnival Wrist Bands (all-day pass) – $30

You can purchase wrist bands at www.CoconinoCountyFair.com or cash only at Bookmans Flagstaff Entertainment Exchange, 1520 S Riordan Ranch Street.
*Processing fees may apply
**Some rides may require additional tokens; $2 processing fee online

Public Meetings Set for Proposed Increases to County Fair Fees

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Parks & Recreation is hosting public meetings about the proposed Coconino County Fair fee updates. Two meetings have been scheduled for the public to hear the presentation, ask questions, and inform the Department of any concerns they may have.

Those meetings are scheduled for Saturday, March 18 beginning at 10:00 a.m. and on Wednesday, March 22 beginning at 6:00 p.m. Both meetings will be held in person at the Fort Tuthill County Park Mess Hall Conference Room and online through Microsoft Teams. The presentations will last approximately 1 hour including the Q&A.

Residents can learn more, RSVP, and provide comments at coconinocountyfair.com/feeupdate. The public may also post comments and questions to the County Fair’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CoconinoCountyFair.

Coconino County thanks volunteers for County Fair

Thanks to all the workers, volunteers, superintendents, sponsors, partners, vendors, entertainers, exhibitors, contractors, and attendees of the 2022 Coconino County Fair.

More than 42,000 people visited over Labor Day weekend.

If you were inspired by this year’s event, please start thinking about a project you might want to enter next year. From gardening to collecting, there are many opportunities to be part of the Fair. See you at the County Fair next year!

2020 Coconino County Fair to be held virtually

FLAGSTAFF — The 2020 Coconino County Fair will move forward this year as an online event with virtual 4-H shows, pictures of entry winners, streaming entertainment, and a virtual vendor marketplace. A “community connections” portion encourages community members to share favorite recipes, gardening tips and tricks, flower growing advice, and to vote for people’s choice awards in fine arts for photography and other art mediums. While the annual Coconino County Fair will look different this year, the public is encouraged to participate and make it a community-wide celebration.

The Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department and 4-H Cooperative Extension Office decided to move forward virtually, including livestock shows and Clubwork exhibits after over eight weeks of information gathering, planning, and meetings with partners such as Coconino County Health and Human Services, Fair Superintendents, and the Northern Arizona Junior Livestock Association.

The Fair Books, one for 4-H and one for community members, are also online. Community entries are due by Friday, August 21. The County Fair is featuring a select number of entry categories per department, and people will submit a photo of their entry online for judging. Winners will receive cash prizes, provided by sponsors Friends of Coconino County Park, and the Cromer and Heflin families.

Coconino County Parks and Recreation is currently accepting virtual vendor applications for the virtual vendor marketplace that will provide a way for community members to enjoy the County Fair from the comfort of their own home. Food, commercial, and nonprofit vendors are encouraged to apply to be part of the 2020 Vendor Marketplace at CoconinoCountyFair.com. The Fair asks that vendors provide a special item or promotion to be available at least during Labor Day Weekend, September 4 through September 7, 2020.

The Fair Books and vendor application are available on the Coconino County Fair website at CoconinoCountyFair.com.

Coconino County Fair modified due to COVID-19

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Parks and Recreation is modifying the 71st Coconino County Fair due to COVID-19 concerns. This decision was reached after months of deliberation, research and consultation with local health officials and the Board of Supervisors. Several county fairs in Arizona have cancelled their events this year due to COVID-19 safety concerns.

During the June 2 meeting, the Board of Supervisors supported a modified event that will incorporate measures to focus on 4-H youth member exhibits, the livestock auction, and online or virtual ways to engage the community in lieu of an in-person event at Fort Tuthill County Park. The safety and health of attendees, exhibitors and staff are very important to the County, as is continued support to area youth with their 4-H and livestock projects.

The Coconino County Fair is held every year over the Labor Day weekend at Fort Tuthill County Park fairgrounds with over 40,000 people attending the event who travel from across the county and the state, making it the largest event in Northern Arizona. The event regularly features a carnival with amusement rides, food and amusement vendors, and live entertainment. The County decided to support a modified event this year because of the event’s large attendance and the distance people travel.

“The Coconino County Fair is a long-standing tradition that residents and visitors look forward to all year. We are excited about the possibilities to come out of the difficult decision to modify this year’s event to focus on the 4-H exhibitors and junior livestock auction,” stated Coconino County Chairwoman Liz Archuleta. “This is an opportunity for innovative thinking, and we can’t wait to see what the Parks and Recreation Department plans for the 2020 Coconino County Fair.”

Planning is currently underway for what components make up a modified county fair. Coconino County Parks & Recreation is asking the public to submit ideas about a modified County Fair at http://www.CoconinoCountyFair.com.

Public comment period for County Fair fee changes open

FLAGSTAFF — The public can comment on proposed County Fair fee changes until April 6. The 60-day comment period on the proposed fees affects vendors, open livestock entries and 4-H wristbands. The Coconino County Board of Supervisors reviewed the fee changes, which have not increased since 2006, at the regular meeting on Jan. 28

The Board may consider any increase or change up to the amount proposed by the department but not anything higher. The Board could approve the fees any time after the 60-day comment period ending April 6, 2020

Coconino County Parks & Recreation (CCPR) manages the Coconino County Fair. CCPR suggested the fee changes to recover costs due to increased prices for goods and services, to align with industry best practices and to moderately increase revenue without impacting the cost to fairgoers. Fees also help offset damages to the Fairgrounds at historic Fort Tuthill Quad, which had a $4.1 million renovation in 2017.

The following is a summary of the proposed fee changes:

Coconino County Fair Vendors

  • Food Vendor fees change from a square footage fee to a minimum guarantee based on frontage against a percentage of gross revenue.
  • Amusement Vendor fees change from a percentage to a square footage fee.
  • Commercial & Non-Profit Vendors will see a nominal increase in cost per square foot of space rental.
  • A refundable deposit will now be required to account for damages, staff time outside of scheduled hours and violating rules set forth in the contract.

Open Livestock Entry

  • Open Poultry and Rabbit & Cavies fees increase from $50 to $1 per entry to offset a portion of the cost of feed and bedding supplied by the Fair.
  • Open Horse fees increase from $3 to $5 per entry to offset a portion of the cost of supplies associated with the Fair Horse Show.

4-H Wristbands (applicable to 4-H youth and parents only)

  • 4-H Adult Admission Wristband (includes unlimited days and parking) fee increases from $20 to $25.
  • 4-H Child Admission Wristband (includes unlimited days and parking) fee increases from $12 to $15.

For more information on the proposed fee changes and to provide comments, visit Coconino.AZ.Gov/Parks.

Vendors wanted for 2019 Coconino County Fair

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Parks & Recreation is accepting vendor applications for the 2019 Coconino County Fair, on August 30 to September 2 at Fort Tuthill County Park. Vendors may submit applications for amusement, food, commercial businesses and non-profits.

To promote local products and services, an early bird rate is being extended to Coconino County-based, for-profit businesses. Interested business owners and operators are encouraged to submit a vendor application by May 31 to take advantage of a 50 percent early bird discount for non-premium outdoor locations on the fairgrounds. Non-profit vendors and food vendors are not eligible for early bird rates.

Vendor applications are available on the Coconino County Fair website at CoconinoCountyFair.com. The Coconino County Fair is celebrating 70 years in 2019. More than 40,000 people regularly attend the fair, which features exhibits by 4-H and community members as well as national, regional and local entertainment, and food and commercial vendors.

For more information on the County Fair, visit http://www.CoconinoCountyFair.com or call the Coconino County Parks & Recreation Department at 928-679-8000.

2018 Coconino County Fair early bird ticket sales began today

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Parks & Recreation is hosting the 69th annual Coconino County Fair, on Labor Day Weekend, August 31 – September 3, at Fort Tuthill County Park. The Fair is a community event where people exhibit animals and handcrafts. There are also various entertainment acts, carnival rides and games.

Starting July 1, fairgoers can purchase early bird Coconino County Fair admission tickets and carnival wristbands for a discounted rate at coconinocountyfair.com. The promotion ends July 31. Discounted carnival wristbands are available until they are sold out.

Early bird admission tickets will be $5 each for adults and $3 each for youth (ages 6 – 12) and seniors (65 and older). Kids, 5 and under, are not charged admission at the Fair. Carnival wristbands, which allow people to ride unlimited carnival rides for one day, will be $25 each, while supplies last. There is a limit of ten wristbands that can be purchased at one time.

To enter exhibits such as artwork, photography, crafts, homegrown vegetables and flowers, clothing, quick breads, cookies, cherry pies, candies, preserved foods, quilts and more, go to coconinocountyfair.com. Entries are free except for livestock. Participants will compete for red, white or blue ribbons with special awards, including cash prizes.

The 2018 Fair Book is now online for people to view categories and enter their exhibit information. There are a limited number of printed Fair Books available at the Parks and Recreation Administration office or participating locations in Coconino County.

For more information on the County Fair go to coconinocountyfair.com or call the Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department at 928-679-8000.

2017 County Fair Early Bird tickets on sale now

FLAGSTAFF — Fair-goers can now purchase early bird Coconino County Fair admission tickets and carnival wristbands online. Coconino County Parks & Recreation is hosting the 68th annual Coconino County Fair, Labor Day Weekend, September 1 through 4 at Fort Tuthill County Park.

Early bird admission tickets are $5 each for adults and $3 each for youth (ages 6 – 12) and seniors (65 and older). Kids 5 and under are always free at the Coconino County Fair. Carnival wristbands, which allow unlimited carnival rides for one day, are $25 each, with a limit of 10 purchased at one time. Discounted admission tickets sales end July 31, and carnival wristbands are available while supplies last.

Exhibit entries for artwork, recipes, crafts, collections, and homegrown vegetables and flowers are being accepted for judging competitions. Entries are free except for livestock. Special awards, including cash, will be given for many entry categories such as clothing, quick breads, cookie jar, cherry pies, candies, preserved foods, quilts and photography.

The 2017 Fair Book is now online for people to view categories and enter their exhibit information. There are a limited number of printed Fair Books available at the Parks and Recreation Administration office or participating locations in Coconino County.

For more information on the County Fair, early bird tickets, entertainment line-up, the Fair Book and how to enter an exhibit, visit http://www.CoconinoCountyFair.com or call the Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department at 928-679-8000.