Are you a Fair Fanatic?

So it's been awhile...I know I'm sorry. With the trip home and the 4th of July holiday it was instant craziness once I returned back to work. Like I mentioned in a previous post, there are some different summer traditions here in Montana and one of those happens to be State Fairs.

The summer months are filled with the old fashioned culinary and sewing contests, deep fried food, and carnivals here in Montana...and even across the Midwest. Fairs pop up all over the place as people enjoy the warm weather and the days where it's light out legitimately until 10 pm.

And I just have the pleasure to work for one of the biggest fairs in Montana...the Montana State Fair of course. Starting Friday, I will submerse myself in 9 days of Fair fun. Of course, this year the fair isn't for the faint at heart. As this year's State Fair explains, there are plenty of "Fair Fanatics" here and I am proud to say that I am going to get to be a part of one of their favorite past times.

For some people it means taking the whole week off from work just so that they can go to the Fair every day. For others, it's making sure they get to enter their prized steer or swine into the Livestock competitions. Some people come just for the Vikings that are sold from the Sons of Norway booth (I however probably won't be in line for one of those since it's basically a deep fried meatball the size of a softball...oh and of course it's served on a stick).

Since I started my new job in May, I have been introduced to world of Fairs. This includes fantastic concerts..our lineup this year consists of Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan, Styx, LeAnn Rimes and many more...5 nights of rodeo, a carnival, Dinosaurs...yes I said Dinosaurs...and unbelievable amounts of fried food. I've had the pleasure to be a part of some of the coolest activities that will happen here in Great Falls over the next week.

So as I enter my very first Fair season, wish me luck. These will probably be 9 days of intense chaos, craziness, and down right fun. It will be nice to finally have one under my belt and add "planning the Montana State Fair" to my list of achievements.

Oh, and if you are looking for me...I'm "out of the office" until August 8th around 5pm. Or if you're in this neck of the woods, don't miss out - be sure to make your way down to the Montana State Fair!

Friday Night at the Rodeo

It's starting to turn to summer here in Montana (notice I said turning...we're not there yet) and that only means one thing: Friday nights at the rodeo.

A totally different way to kick off my weekend then I'm used to but it's a part of the culture here. Grab a few friend, a couple of beers and head out to the biggest country showdown that the West has to offer in this day and age. It's a gathering of true cowboys, rooting for a true cowboy sport.

When I was in high school, it was customary to spend your nights in the fall under the lights, watching your hometown boys tough it out on the football field. Here, it's summer nights on the Grandstands, watching your hometown boys and girls ride the bulls, wrestle the steers, and race the perfect barrel pattern.

But what intrigues me the most is the differences that I have seen in the East coast and MidWest. Seriously, how many rodeos do you see in Connecticut, New York New Jersey, or Massachusetts? And if you have seen one in those parts, has there ever been one every weekend? Here in Montana, each city or County will host their prospective PRCA (Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association) function. And trust me, it's the place to be.

For me, the sport is really interesting. I have always loved horses and the thought of being a true cowboy. Now I'm not saying that you'll find me picking up the sport of rodeo anytime soon but I can totally see myself becoming a true fan of the old pastime. Since I've started working at the ExpoPark, I've learned so much more about the sport and will even be involved in the 5 nights of rodeo that will accompany the State Fair. 

I'm still learning...like how roughstock events like bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding scores depend upon a cowboy's performance and the animal's performance; how in timed events like steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, barrel racing and steer roping, cowboys and cowgirls, compete against the clock, as well as against each other; and how mutton bustin is the start to a boy's rodeo career. Get it yet?

This year, I'll get to be a part of some of the coolest events I've come across, like "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" which is a night that everyone in the rodeo arena will support the Fight Against Breast Cancer. Running alongside that is the Chicks n' Chaps event. Any girl that ever wanted to know about the sport of rodeo will get the chance to learn three of the staple events from the cowboys and cowgirls who have made barrel racing, bull riding, and bareback riding their lives. And I'll even experience my first rodeo dance with country artist Keith Anderson as he performs live at the rodeo this summer. C'mon what is cooler than that?

This summer will be my first official Rodeo Summer and it will be chock full of nights rooting on the cowboys. For a horse lover, and a closet wanna-be cowgirl, there doesn't seem to be any better way to spend those nights.

Movin' On

Wow..I am really slacking with all of my blogging! But I have good reason...so let me explain.

My last day at the Foundation was on Friday so I was trying to get myself caught up there and get ready for the HUGE benefit that I was organizing basically by myself. My hours were getting longer and longer and the time that I was having at home to relax was shorter and shorter.

To add to that, Griff went back on his alert schedule of going out to the field about 8 times a month. So I was trying to get in as much time with him as I could and still figure out everything at work.

Yesterday, I started my new job. I know, no time off in between?! Am I crazy?! I'm starting to think that I am but I had promised the Foundation that I would stay until after the benefit and the new job needed me right away.

So here I am, at my new job...and I have to tell you, I'm happy as a pig in mud. This is the job that I have been wanting for a very long time. I'm back to my calling...back on my career path...planning events. And these are BIG events.

Here at the Montana ExpoPark, I'll be planning concerts, sporting events, tradeshows and rodeos (I mean c'mon I live in Montana. I have to plan a rodeo!). And then there's the big one, the State Fair. What can be more exciting than planning the STATE FAIR?!

It feels so good to be able to say that I am finally working a job that is right in line with what I want to do - plan events and work with people to make them happen.

Although the last weeks of my old job were stressful, planning that benefit made me realize that coming to the ExpoPark was the right move for me. I love events. I love the details, I love the people that you get to work with, and I love the creativity.

And now that the transition is starting, maybe I can get back to loving the details, loving the people, and loving the creativity of planning my wedding...nah, I'll wait till next week ; )