09/11/2025
😅 It’s taken us over a month to finally catch our breath and recover from such a great week at the fair!
✨ What a Fair Year! ✨
This year’s fair was another step forward, and each year we continue to grow and improve. We tried several new things this year—some were a hit, some not so much—and that’s part of the journey.
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room… the carnival. 🎡
Yes, we oversold what was coming, and yes, we all had our hopes up a little higher than reality delivered. Here’s the scoop: we contracted for 8-9 rides, and we did get 8-9 rides, which also included bounce houses. The challenge was that not all of them were suitable for all ages.
Another unexpected challenge came up when the carnival arrived with a water ride that required thousands of gallons of water. While the City of Russell was willing to step in and help make it possible, our Fair Board ultimately decided not to move forward with this ride out of respect for the community’s ongoing water restrictions.
On top of that, we ran into some electrical issues. This was no fault of the City or County—it came down to us not asking the right questions of the carnival company and not having the right connections in place. The good news? We’re not out anything, the money spent on the carnival this year was comparable to what we spent last year on our entertainment. We had more rides than last year, and now we know how to be better prepared moving forward. We’re already aiming higher for next year.
That said, the rest of the fair was a HUGE success! 🙌
✅ The 4-H shows were incredible—thank you to everyone who came out to support our hardworking 4-H’ers.
✅ The entertainment on stage was fantastic and well-attended.
✅ Our food vendors and indoor Rec vendors had major success.
✅ Many activities saw great turnouts, and we loved seeing the community come together.
We are so grateful for everyone who came out, supported, and made memories with us. 💚 Thank you for continuing to grow with us—we can’t wait to see what next year brings!
🤠 Now, on to our next adventure! The fun doesn’t stop with the fair—join the Russell Saddle Club for the rescheduled Ranch Rodeo on Saturday, September 13th. The Fair Board will be running the food stand, so be sure to stop by, grab a bite, and say hello. We’d love to see you there!
