Friday, July 29 is the first day of the 86th Annual Lea County Fair and PRCA Rodeo. The festivities run through Saturday, August 6. The Lea County Fairgrounds is located at 101 South Commercial Street in Lovington.
The theme of the 2022 event is “Honoring Our Heritage”.
Gate admission is free until 5:00 PM, with free all day admission Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. At all other times admission is $10.00 for Adults (ages 13 and older) and $5.00 for Children (ages 6 – 12). Children 5 and younger enter for free with a paid ticket. “Ticket purchase includes entrance to the fair, rodeo and concerts.” Tickets may be purchased online or at the fair’s box office.
Hispanic Heritage Celebration
This year’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration is slated for Friday, July 29, at 7:00 PM, at the Concert Area.
Ramón Ayala y Sus Bravos del Norte and La Leyenda are the headliners.
Ayala, an accordion player, has been entertaining thousands for over 50 years. He formed the Sus Bravos del Norte group in the early 1970s. Since then the group has released over 100 albums, including 12 that have attained the Platinum rating. The band also has two LPs that won in 2000 and 2002 the Latin Grammy Awards for Best Norteño album. The group is known for pioneering the Mexican norteño style.
La Leyenda, also a Mexican norteño group, has nearly a half million followers on Facebook.
From Monterrey, Mexico and founded in 1995, all five members of the band were childhood friends and schoolmates before entering the world of entertainment together. The group has known Ramón Ayala for years and performed with him many times.
The father of group member Eliseo Robles was Ayala’s vocalist for 15 years.
Concert Series
One key staple of the Lea County Fair & Rodeo in recent years has been its concert series, bringing music superstars to perform nightly on an outdoor stage. The 2022 Concert Series kicks off on Tuesday, August 2. Concerts begin at 9:30 PM, at the conclusion of each night’s rodeo.
Country artist Randall King is the evening’s headliner. According to his website, King is “one of the new crop of modern traditionalists”. He mimics the “pre country vocals” of stars like Keith Whitley, George Strait and Alan Jackson. His album Shot Glass brings an “organic, timeless sound to country’s mainstream”. King has been named by Pandora and Country Now as the 2022 Artist to Watch.
Wednesday, August 3 brings Zach Williams, an American Christian rock singer from Jonesboro, Arkansas, to the mainstage. Formerly the lead vocalist for Zach Williams and the Reformation and for the Brothers of Grace, Williams is now on his own. Williams has received nominations from the American Music Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, the Grammy Awards and the GMA Dove Awards.
On Thursday, August 4, the Randy Rogers Band from San Marcos, Texas will take the spotlight. The group has recorded nine albums in total, two being live. The band has also charted seven singles on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
On Friday, August 5, Joe Nichols will entertain Lea County folks. Nichols is from Rogers, Arkansas. His Number One singles “Brokenheartsville”, “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off”, “Gimmie That Girl”, “Sunny and 75”, and “Yeah” will be enjoyed by all during his performance.
The 2022 Concert Series concludes on Saturday, August 6 with Cody Johnson. A singer and songwriter, Johnson has self-released six albums. Johnson wants to get the cowboy back on the radio, “because that’s who I am and the lifestyle I live,” he says. Johnson has a healthy following of loyal fans. He has more than two billion streams worldwide and touts many ACM and CMA Awards nominations. His Top 10 single “On My Way To You” is a Platinum seller.
PRCA Rodeo
The PRCA Rodeo kicks off on Wednesday, August 3 and finishes on Saturday, August 6 at the Jack McClure Arena. The pre-rodeo lineup each evening is at 7:00 PM, with the rodeo starting at 7:30.
Detailed information about the rodeo and all fair events, including the Horse Snow, Mutton Bustin’, Local Team Roping, the Market Swine Show, the Dairy Heifer Show, PRCA Xtreme Bulls, the Poultry Show, the Meat Goat Show, the Market Lamb Show, the Beef Cattle Show, the Rabbit Show, the Prospect Horse Show, the Junior Livestock Sale and the Fiddler’s Contest, is available at the fair’s website.
Other Activities and Highlights
Other fair highlights include the carnival, the arts and crafts showcase and, of course, a huge selection of commercial food vendors. The parade will be held on Wednesday, August 3rd at 4:00 PM. For more information, visit the Lea County website.
The weather will be hot, nearing 100°. Rain is not predicted. Stay hydrated. Wear sunscreen, bring umbrellas for some personal space shade and plan for an exciting adventure at this year’s extravaganza.
