Clark County Fair still going strong as it opens for four-day run

The most important thing to know about the Clark County Fair and Rodeo: It opens today for its annual four-day run.

That's worth noting because some people apparently have confused the still-on Clark County Fair and Rodeo in Logandale with the now-cancelled Nevada State Fair in Reno.

Kevin Willard, manager of the Clark County Fair and Rodeo, recalls that, on the day the state fair's board of directors announced that budget problems forced that event's cancellation this year, the county fair's Facebook page was "going crazy."

"Part of it was the way it was reported," Willard said. "There was a lot of confusion, even amongst local anchors."

So: The Clark County Fair and Rodeo opens today and runs through Sunday at the county fairgrounds, located about 60 miles northeast of Las Vegas off of Interstate 15 (directions can be found on the fair's website at www.ccfair.com ).

And that means that, again this year, Southern Nevadans can enjoy the fair's classic assortment of rodeo events, carnival rides, livestock shows, entertainment acts, exhibits and other family-friendly attractions.

Heading up the entertainment roster this year is Gloriana, the Nashville-based country group whose debut single, "Wild at Heart," hit the Top 15 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. Gloriana will perform at 9:30 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $18 for the concert, $25 for the concert and the fair, and $37 for the concert, fair and rodeo.

Also among those scheduled to perform this weekend are The Lost Boys (6 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday and 4 and 7 p.m. Sunday), comedian/magician Tim Gabrielson (1 and 5 p.m. today, noon and 3 p.m. Friday, 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday), a cappella group The Alley Cats (noon, 4 and 7 p.m. today, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday, noon, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and noon and 3 p.m. Sunday) and hypnotist Tyzen (2, 6 and 9 p.m. Thursday, 1 and 4 p.m. Friday, 2, 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 6 p.m. Sunday).

"We try to rotate our entertainment a little bit so people get something new and different," said Denise Robison, the fair's entertainment director.

Ground acts offered up for guests' enjoyment this year are a movie stunt adventure show, a mini monster truck show, pig racing and the Super Science Company.

Carnival hours are 1 to 11 p.m. Thursday, noon to midnight Friday, 10:30 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Returning this year is the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour pro rodeo, which begins at 7 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday.

"Our rodeo is excellent," Willard said. "Most of the big-name cowboys, the same guys you see at the NFR (National Finals Rodeo), will be at this rodeo."

Willard said the fair each year draws between 80,000 and 85,000 people. He's not sure how a continuing tight economy here will affect this year's event, but said a trip to the fair is an affordable entertainment option for families.

When times are tight, "we'll go to the fair, but we may not take that trip to Disneyland," he said.

"The entertainment value is pretty good. You can spend all day here. There are three stages of entertainment here all day plus a lot of other ground acts going on. You can literally be entertained all day."

Robison said the fair's attendees each year also include tourists who schedule a day at the fair as part of their Las Vegas vacations.

"We have people from Australia and Canada who plan vacations around the fair, which is awesome," she said.

Contact reporter John Przybys at jprzybys@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0280.