February 2, 2026 Minutes

Weld County Fair Board Minutes

Meeting called to order by President Landon Cogburn at 6:00 PM

MEMBERS PRESENT: Aaron Helus, Tom Bledsoe, Levi Loveland, Fred Kayser and Isaia Aricayos

EX-OFFICIO/STAFF PRESENT: Kim Eastwood, Mikayla Gabel, Cheryl Aragon and Larry Hooker

SPECIAL GUESTS: Kathy Rickart, Commissioner Peppler

Additions/Changes to agenda: MOTION to approve consent agenda by Tom Bledsoe, second by Levi Loveland; motion passed.

SPECIAL GUESTS/REQUESTS:

1) Kathy Rickart – was an extension director in Albert County and NM, she’s a part of a sign language choir in the community, has online videos of group if we want to see it, she is interested in the choir doing God Bless America in honor of 250 year USA anniversary, www.HandsInPraise.com, the board will consider them starting an event or however we’d like to use them

2) Commissioner Lynette Peppler update – providing information and engaging community at Farm Show went well, judicial building is an ongoing discussion

3) Junior Fair Board – update from Reagan, County Line Up-concert on Friday evening, at the Pavilion, 7 PM, 7/24/2026, a few potential sponsors, a few performer options being worked on; food drive during fair, canned goods for Weld County Food bank, Fair tour, series of tours during Fair, need tour guides, coat drive during fair – for the needy

OLD BUSINESS:

1) Fair Coordinator Update – vendor apps, received app from political and church groups, will request feedback from board and weld county, contacted mounted shooters, and advertising and media meeting coming up, royalty court reviewed by county, legal had some input, communications from county and 4h – using the “Band app” for communications and scheduling, more info forthcoming

2) Entertainment Update – community bbq, beginning of sale, tractor pull – timing and scheduling may prevent having them again, mounted shooters, concert – exciting, good leads on options, Friday evening 7/24/2026, movie in the park – Thursday night

7/23/2026, Wednesday night 7/22/2026 donkey basketball – highland middle school and briggsdale, more info forthcoming as an option

3) Sponsor Discussion – any ideas, ways to get in front of potential donors

4) Vendor App Updates – 30 apps received so far, will likely need to limit attendance

NEW BUSINESS:

1) Committee Reports:

a. Premier Exhibitor (Tom Bledsoe) – nothing to report at this time

b. Carcass Contest (Isaia Aricayos) – update from CSU on lamb data results, email received from dept head, additional info requested and sent on Friday, waiting to contact contestants regarding issue after confirmation received from CSU; Beef ID tag – dangle and 840 tag will be used in each ear and records kept, dangle tag will be what’s officially used by weld county, ID day scheduled for Friday, will have enough volunteers, start at 8 AM

c. All Around Showmanship (Tom Bledsoe) – Kim will not be able to help with small animal due to son doing bucket calf at the same time; Scholarship information found for awards for senior showmanship winners through Foundation from the Charlie Ledall memorial fund, will be given reward for last years winners, need to work through paperwork and logistics handling the award money going forward, will meet with Foundation to streamline process and update MOU if needed

d. Drug Testing (Landon Cogburn) – meeting scheduled March 4, NE state Fair brochure drug testing program is available online and well presented, education is an important part of the drug testing committee

e. Junior Fair Board (Aaron Helus) – doing well so far, getting things rolling for the year

f. Junior Livestock Sale (Bailey Neibauer) – meeting scheduled later this month

g. Security, Parking and Risk Mgmt (Levi Loveland) – meeting scheduled later this month

h. Royalty (Aaron Helus) – had productive meeting and event upcoming, excited to plan float, helping with beef ID day, good group this year, represented at Farm Show well

i. Livestock Animal Health (Landon Cogburn) – meeting scheduled later this month

ANNOUNCEMENTS/GENERAL DISCUSSION:

1) Potential topics: Livestock Animal Health wristband, drug testing – let’s not get behind on topics, meet as a committee early and often if needed

2) Next Meeting Monday, Mar 2 @ 6 PM at County Fair Extension Office

Meeting adjourned 7:30 PM

Respectfully Submitted,

Isaia K Aricayos Weld County Fair Board Secretary