I can remember visiting Niagara Falls. I was in my 20s then and actually on a business trip to Toronto. The lady who was entertaining me for the Sunday prior to my business meeting suggested we take a drive to Niagara Falls. I thought of myself quite modern and with it — and I didn’t really want to go to a place EVERYBODY goes to…I was too cool. However, being a good guest, I went along.

Arriving at Niagara Falls, I was so impressed I couldn’t take enough pictures. We went on the boat tour — everything. And I said to myself, “Niagara Falls is wonderful! Other people ought to see this!” (A dumb thing to say, I know, but that’s how I felt..being an idiot in my 20s.)

The same thing happened a couple years later when I drove through Yellowstone Park on the way from Las Vegas to visit a sorority sister in Montana. I said to myself again, “Wow, this place is fabulous, people ought to see this!” Of course….still an idiot.

These two examples were brought to mind last Sunday when my gentleman friend and I visited Logandale, Nevada and the Clark County Fair & Rodeo. We were actually going to Mesquite and thought this “thing” might be an interesting stop along the way.

Well, we were both blown away by the fair (we didn’t stay for the PRCA evening rodeo). The grounds were lovely. Lots of activities were available for free even if a family budget didn’t allow for tickets to rides and game booths. Kids and big smiles were everywhere. A sign near the entrance said the fair was a “smoke-free event”.

For those who could afford rides, the equipment appeared all shiny and new, perfect for picture-taking. Food and games were also available, as was free entertainment on several stages and arenas. No longer in my 20s, I still did think “This event was so much fun; my friends need to be told about this!”

The first friend I told about our “adventure” knew all about the fair and rodeo. She and her husband had attended many times in the past. Really? Other friends at our Wednesday breakfast had also been past attendees at the event. So…where had I been all these years? Never had heard of the Logandale fair and rodeo and never attended. Again, I was the not-so-bright one.

And as it turns out, the editors of Living-Las-Vegas have attended many, many times over the years. Here is a short article about the 2004 event, written by Megan Edwards.

The thing is…we might just attend again… God willing. We loved our visit and know lots more entertainment was available than we were able to see in a few hours.

The fair, I later learned, is an annual event typically scheduled in early April. A man named Todd Robison has been Executive Director of the nonprofit organization that plans the fair for 25 years. Robison’s regular job (for the past 39 years) is as an Operations Supervisor with NV Energy. Browns Amusements out of Mesa, Arizona has been the provider of rides, games and four food booths for the fair for the last 10 years. (Co-Owner Sherry Brown tells us the Logandale fair is the firm’s only client in Nevada; most of their business is in surrounding states.)

The Clark County Fair & Rodeo began in 1965 and has grown every year. The 2022 event was a comeback after two years absence due to Covid. The fairgrounds occupy some 190 acres so lots of room is available for picnickers as well as folks who want to stand in line for a burrito. The day’s entertainment schedule is available online so folks can plan to attend when their favorite performers are appearing.

Yes, I took pictures because I “thought” I would be a pioneer in attending and writing about this event (wrong). For all those folks who have attended the Clark County Fair & Rodeo in the past, however, let’s just say the following photos of the fair are a reminder of good times past.