BOSQUE FARMS — It’s going to be a “toadily” fun time at the 82nd annual Bosque Farms Community Fair this weekend.

There will be greased pole climbing, rolling pin tossing, a corn pit and of course, the much anticipated toad races.

After a truncated fair celebration last year — a “toadily distanced fair” parade — this year’s fair is full of the fun and games the community has come to expect, but there won’t be any indoor exhibits this year, said fair board member Ronita Wood.

“We use a lot of elderly people to help check in and organize the indoor exhibits and we just didn’t want to take that risk,” Wood said. “We’re sad about that but we are excited to get back together again.”

The fair is held at the Bosque Farms Rodeo Association grounds and arena, 1020 Arena Road, which runs north off of North Bosque Loop.

The fun kicks off on Friday, Aug. 6, with an ice cream social, and continues through Friday, Aug. 7.

News-Bulletin file photo
The greased pole climb is a favorite among the youngsters at the Bosque Farms Community Fair.

In addition to the ice cream social on Friday, the Bosque Farms Fire Department will be selling hot dogs, chips and a soda for $5 to support the department.

The big crowd draw for Friday is the toad races. A highlight for all ages, Wood said this year, organizers are asking toad owners to bring hoppers at least an 1 1/2 inches wide, not counting legs, since marking tiny toads with a daub of paint has been a challenge in the past.

Registration for the races is from 4-6 p.m. and races start at 6:30 p.m., rain or shine.

Following the road races will be a sheepdog herding demonstration in the arena, which is “always really cool,” Wood said.

Fair organizers are also selling adult sized T-shirts for $15 starting on Friday. Quantities are limited so get there early to guarantee snagging a “toadily” awesome addition to your wardrobe.

Saturday starts bright and early at 8:30 a.m. with the parade down West Bosque Loop to the rodeo grounds, followed by a pancake breakfast in Cowboy Hall. Wood said the always-popular corn and money pits would be open, public health orders permitting.

The fair queen will be crowned at high noon, a competition organized by the Bosque Farms Rodeo Association, and the live auction will get underway at 1 p.m. on the patio.

Wood said there were a lot of really great donations for the auction this year, including artwork and decorative candles.

The annual Just For Fun Car Show will be on display from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, followed by the home run derby. The proceeds of the derby will benefit Yucca Little League. For more information, email Melanie Bennett at [email protected] or call 401-9990.

Wood said the fair board and community are excited to see the fair back in action.

“It’s just a good, old timey fair. Come visit with your neighbors who you haven’t seen in a while and meet your new neighbors,” she said. “We have a lot of new people in the village and this is a great way to get involved.”

Bosque Farms Community Fair Schedule of Events

Friday, Aug. 6

3:30-5:30 p.m.: Ice cream social to kick-off 82nd Fair (Cowboy Hall)

4 p.m.: Fleece show

4-6 p.m.: Enter toad races (Check in on the patio)

5 p.m.: Bosque Farms Fire Department hot dog stand opens

6:30 p.m.: Toad races (Toads must be at least 1.5 inches across, not including legs. Classes will be set by entrant’s age or business.) 7:30 p.m.: Sheepdog herding demo (Arena)

Saturday, Aug. 7

7:30-8:30 a.m.: Line up for parade (Corner of Margaret and South Bosque Farms Loop)

8-10 a.m.: Car show registration

8:30 a.m.: Parade begins 9:30 a.m.: Pancake breakfast in Cowboy Hall

9:30 a.m.: Money pit and corn pit open (Subject to public health orders)

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Car show 10 a.m.: Greased pole climb (east of arena)

10:30 a.m.: Parade awards

10:30 a.m.: Kids races and women’s rolling pin throw, 18 and older

11:45 a.m.: Register for horseshoe pitching contest (on patio)

12 p.m.: Queen’s contest

12 p.m.: Horseshoe pitching contest

12:30 p.m.: Register 4-H dog show (Riley home)

1 p.m.: Judging 4-H dog show (Riley home)

1-2 p.m.: Accepting entries for chile contest (on patio)

1-3 p.m.: Live auction on the patio

2 p.m.: Home Run Derby begins after car show ends

3 p.m. Chile contest judging; bean count winner announced

4-5 p.m.: Rodeo gates open ($5 per adult, $5 per car, children under 10 are free)

6 p.m.: Open Rodeo (arena)

9 p.m. to 1 a.m.: Rodeo Dance (Cowboy Hall)

Sunday, Aug. 8

8 a.m.: Rodeo slack (If needed)

10 a.m.: Clean up

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Julia M. Dendinger began working at the VCNB in 2006. She covers Valencia County government, Belen Consolidated Schools and the village of Bosque Farms. She is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists Rio Grande chapter’s board of directors.