The Grandstands were full of Great Entertainment Throughout the Fair

After taking in the 4-H/FFA Exhibits, the Open Class entries, the Commercial Building Vendors, some outstanding fair food many fairgoers conclude each day with a seat in the Grandstands taking in the nightly entertainment. The 2022 Blaine County Fair had a tremendous lineup for the grandstands and despite a little lighting and rain Friday night, everything went off without a hitch. It takes a tremendous amount of effort by organizers to put together four consecutive nights of outstanding entertainment. Hats off to the Blaine County Fair Board, Kid's Rodeo organizers, the Bear Paw Roundup PRCA Rodeo Committee and the organizers of the Blaine County Showdown.

The Blaine County Fair Kids Rodeo highlighted the opening day of the fair. More than 400 entries filled the field, competing in 21 categories. Action got underway just before 5:00 pm and continued throughout the evening concluding early Thursday morning just after 1:00 am. The Blaine County Fair Kid's rodeo is always a huge hit with the community and despite the length of the show, all those entered are happy to be able to compete.

The Blaine County Kids Rodeo has been a huge draw among local youth from all over Blaine County as well as the Hi-line. Entries come from all over including Big Sandy Gildford, Havre and to the east in Dodson and Malta. In what has been a long tradition the Kid's Rodeo kicks off the entertainment in the Grandstands bringing a ton of great action to the George Ortner Arena.

In the Mini Ages (4-6 Years old) Rome Kallenberger won the Goat Untying, the Steer Chase, Flag Race and the Barrel Racing in a spectacular effort. Kash Brendt was the Sheep Riding champion. Kane Brothers took home top honors in the Boot Race. Kane Crowley won the 7–8-year-old Boot Race in concluding the mini age divisions.

Next up were the Juniors (Age 9-13). The Barrel Racing champion was Hadley Not Afraid. Jaxon Crowley won the Breakaway roping title and Cayden Chapman was the Pole Bending champion. The top Steer Rider went to Weston Paulson, cooper Fisher was the Flag Race winner and Ashlyn Gibson won the Goat Tying competition.

The Senior division (Age 14-18) was packed and competed until the early morning hours. The Chute Dogging crown went to Stetson Brendt while the Calf roping Title was won by Foreman Casebolt. In a very competitive Breakaway Roping division, Mervin Whitford Jr. was the overall winner, Cooper Fisher finished second. Mary Gibson bested the field to win the Goat Tying competition with Kenzie Kallenberger finishing second. The Barrel Racing Champion was Neva Lowe, Kenzie Kallenberger was a close second. The Senior Division Pole Bending title went to Aislinn Handy with Blake Ozark finished in second. The Team Roping Header winner was Cooper fisher, Foreman Casebolt claimed the Team roping Heeler crown.

The Bear Paw Roundup PRCA Rodeo took center stage Thursday and Friday night with a fantastic crowd on hand for both shows. Complete results for the Bear Paw Roundup were not available at press time and will be posted after they are received. Thursday night's performance took place under sunny skies and warm conditions and was full of excitement start to finish. There was a hair raising crash early in the performance when a calf crossed in front of the rider and his horse causing the young cowboy from Belgrade to hit the ground hard while his horse did a full roll. After a few tense moments, the Blaine County Ambulance crew had completed a tremendous job stabilizing the cowboy in a precautionary measure and it was announced to the crowd that he would be all right. The Wortman sisters concluded the night with a fantastic show on center stage.

Friday night's performance was again well attended with overcast skies and an east wind. The show was full of thrills and spills until about 8:30 in the evening when lightning crept in, and rain began to fall during the ever-popular outhouse race. Clinton Hansen and Lane Schmitt teamed up to win the event before the inclement weather ended the night early. Stolen Roan was originally scheduled to take the stage following the nightly performance but were forced to take their show uptown due to the weather.

The Blaine County Showdown closed out the nightly performances at the Blaine County Fair with another fantastic show as always.

A good crowd was on hand to watch the 16 cars compete in three heats of stock demolition derby and a chain car heat. The first heat wowed the crowd with a fantastic battle between Garrett Powell and Chris Moore. Powell won the heat while Moore won the most aggressive driver award. Both advanced to the championship Heat.

Payton Peterson was the star of heat number two, claiming the win to advance to the final. The Showdown moved along swiftly with a great crew getting the cars moved out and the arena ready for the next heat. When all was said and done Justin Skoyen was the Chain Race and Mad dash for Cash winner. Payton Peterson outlasted Garrett Powell in the Maine Event to win the Grand Prize. Powell was the Mad Dog Winner for the night.

Marshall Catch took Center stage following the Blaine County Showdown, playing their first song just before 10 pm and entertained the crowd until after midnight. The Showdown was a perfect way to end the entertainment in the grandstands for the Blaine County Fair and by taking place on a Saturday it gives those in attendance a day to recover from four days of fantastic entertainment before returning to work on Monday.