New fair manager eyes return of quilt show, more activities

By: 
Victoria O’Brien

By Victoria O’Brien

 

Last month, the Big Horn County Fair board welcomed Catherine Foss as its new fair manager. Foss, a veteran 4H leader with the Paintrock Punchers, is no stranger to the scene and has hit the ground running with the Winter Festival scheduled for this Saturday, Jan. 18.

Foss, who described her management-style as one in which she “puts (her) head down and does (her) job without fanfare,” said she also maintains an open door policy to community members for their feedback and questions.

“I would love to see the community come out and support our fair more than what we have seen in the past few years,” she explained, noting that she would like to open up discussions about how to accomplish this goal. “It would be amazing to make fair the highlight of summer once again for everyone to look forward to!”

Near the top of Foss’s list for changes and additions to the fair schedule is resurrecting the quilt show, which went by the wayside several years ago and has been openly missed by patrons and former participants. She plans to talk to local quilters and crafters about how best to accomplish the task before the summer.

“I would love to see that come back,” she said, “along with a competition using this year’s fair to then create a ‘barn square’ for the public to vote on their favorite.”

Looking ahead, Foss said the fair also hopes to implement a new ticketing platform for pre-purchasing grandstand tickets online. She also added that the fair plans to include FFA Olympics in the midway activities with a new trophy fashioned specially for the winners.

The fair board and Foss also plan to continue fundraising efforts for a new and “much-needed” pig barn. She pointed to Squeal Your Thirst as an example of a successful fundraiser from the fair’s past that may make another return to continue raising funds for the barn.

As she continues adjusting to her new role, Foss is hoping to add additional community activities to the calendar beginning in February. Currently, there are community roping opportunities on the fairgrounds every Sunday.

But the Winter Festival, this Saturday, will be Foss’s first outing as manager.

“It will be fun to see the community bring their families out to enjoy a fun Saturday evening,” she said. “There will be so many fun booths and activities, not to mention a photo opportunity and concession-style dinner that includes nachos, super nachos and pulled pork sandwiches.”

The Winter Festival will be held on the Big Horn County Fairgrounds in Basin this Saturday, Jan. 18, from 5 to 8 p.m.

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