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PUEBLO — Watch daring stuntmen do backflips on pogo sticks, sample some alligator-on-a-stick or meet a triumphant turkey named Thanksgiving. Though marking its 152nd year, the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo almost assuredly surprises visitors with something entirely new to see, hear or eat. 

After a week packed with comedy performances, country singers and livestock shows at the fairgrounds, the state fair will come to a close on Monday — but not before a fiesta with folklorico dance and mariachi music to honor Colorado’s Hispanic traditions.

COLORADO STATE FAIR SCHEDULE

Orin Larson takes part in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association bareback events at the 2024 Colorado State Fair.

The Spin Out carnival ride at the Colorado State Fair gyrates into a pinkish-blue ball in this time exposure Aug. 26, 2024, in Pueblo. (Mike Sweeney, Special to The Colorado Sun)
A boy walks alongside a large turkey in a well-lit indoor arena. Another boy stands nearby holding a "Colorado State Fair Grand Champion" banner. Several officials are on stage in the background.
A young man in a black shirt and jeans leads a black cow down a gated pathway at an indoor event at the Colorado State Fair. Other people are in the background.

FROM LEFT: Ryder Halley of Brush, center, shows off his Grand Champion turkey, Thanksgiving, to bidders at the Colorado State Fair’s Junior Livestock Sale on Aug. 27. Thanksgiving drew a winning bid of $1,750 from the Colorado State Fair Foundation. Jake King, of Cope, leads his Grand Champion steer Rambo from the auction ring. The Sam Brown family made the winning $50,000 bid for the steer. The sale brought in just over $475,000.

A boy walks alongside a large turkey in a well-lit indoor arena. Another boy stands nearby holding a "Colorado State Fair Grand Champion" banner. Several officials are on stage in the background.
A young man in a black shirt and jeans leads a black cow down a gated pathway at an indoor event at the Colorado State Fair. Other people are in the background.

FROM TOP: Ryder Halley of Brush, center, shows off his Grand Champion turkey, Thanksgiving, to bidders at the Colorado State Fair’s Junior Livestock Sale on Aug. 27. Thanksgiving drew a winning bid of $1,750 from the Colorado State Fair Foundation. Jake King, of Cope, leads his Grand Champion steer Rambo from the auction ring. The Sam Brown family made the winning $50,000 bid for the steer. The sale brought in just over $475,000.

A bull rider is thrown off a bucking bull in a rodeo arena at the Colorado State Fair while two men in cowboy hats stand near the fence. The arena floor is covered in dirt, and the scene is dynamic and action-packed.
Landslide the bull tosses off rider Robbie Taylor during the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event Aug. 24 Taylor was able to walk away from his spill.
A large crowd sits on benches watching a marching band perform on an outdoor stage at the Colorado State Fair. The band members are wearing blue uniforms and playing brass instruments. Trees and flags are visible in the background.
The Fountain-Fort Carson Trojan Marching Band fills the stage while playing to a huge crowd during Band Day Aug. 24. Fountain-Fort Carson won 1st Place in Class 5A, Outstanding Color Guard, 1st Place Overall Sweepstakes at fair.
Person in striped shirt and stars-and-stripes shorts leaps from a platform, holding a broom. Three others stand on the platform, one with arms raised, at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo
An individual performs an upside-down stunt on a pogo stick, wearing a helmet and a shirt that reads "XPogo Stunt Team," with green foliage and a building in the background at the Colorado State Fair

FROM LEFT: Brandon Pacheco, left, Tyler Arnold, Travis Sims and Sarah Montgomery perform a comedy bit as the Aquamaniacs during their Splashtacular diving exhibition Aug.24. Michael Mena of the XPogo Stunt Team does a hands-free flip on his pneumatic pogo stick.

Person in striped shirt and stars-and-stripes shorts leaps from a platform, holding a broom. Three others stand on the platform, one with arms raised, at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo
An individual performs an upside-down stunt on a pogo stick, wearing a helmet and a shirt that reads "XPogo Stunt Team," with green foliage and a building in the background at the Colorado State Fair

FROM TOP: Brandon Pacheco, left, Tyler Arnold, Travis Sims and Sarah Montgomery perform a comedy bit as the Aquamaniacs during their Splashtacular diving exhibition Aug.24. Michael Mena of the XPogo Stunt Team does a hands-free flip on his pneumatic pogo stick.

People are enjoying a sunny day at a splash pad at the Colorado State Fair; a man laughs while holding a water bottle, and a woman in pink holds a child. Other children play in the background with water fountains.
Pete Galbreath of Woodland Park, left his wife Terri, and their granddaughter Callie Kinsey cool off in the plaza fountain Aug. 24. Temperatures in Pueblo that day topped out at 96 degrees.

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Dateline:

Pueblo

Type of Story: News

Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

Mike’s an ardent believer in photojournalism’s capacity to educate, foster change and entertain. Over the span of 25 years, he’s worked as a visual journalist in Oregon, California, and Colorado. During that time, he’s received over...