The Quay County Fair, set for next Wednesday through Aug. 15, will be a day shorter than usual and feature a new schedule this year, fair officials said.

“This shortened schedule is sort of a trial run,” said Brenda Bishop, the Quay County home extension agent. “I think the (fair) board will see how the fair runs before they decide to make the change permanent.”

And for a second year, there will be no carnival midway or rides at the fair, Bishop said.

However two local extension clubs and the Tucumcari Baptist Association will be providing activities for area youth.

The Tabosa Extension Club will host carnival games from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 14 in the Travis Nelson Building. The Logan Extension Club, with help from the Wheatland Club, will host carnival games from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 15.

“With the added activities for children it will develop more of a family atmosphere,” Bishop said. “We are hoping that the fair can be enjoyed by the entire family.”

Bishop said one of the popular events for children will be the pet parade. She said it begins at 1 p.m. on Aug. 15 and children up to 12 years old may enter their pet in the parade.

All pets entered in the parade must be on a leash or in a cage. Pets may range from dogs and cats to turtles and goats. Children 2 and under may bring their favorite stuffed toy animal to the parade.

For music lovers, the Eastern New Mexico Bluegrass Association has a special area in the exhibit hall set up for fair patrons’ listening pleasure.

Other events include the Itty Bitty Rodeo, horseshoe pitching contest and goat roping contest.

2009 Quay County Fair schedule

(Concession open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.)

Tuesday

Home arts entries accepted, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Aug. 12

7 a.m. — Breakfast burritos by Tucumcari Baptist Association

7:30- 9 a.m. — Animal checkin

8 a.m. — Preparation of all booth exhibits. Departments open to receive entries

Noon entry deadline — Home arts sweepstakes applications due, agriculture products, rabbits, poultry, commercial exhibits, all booths and flower show.

Noon-5 p.m. — Home arts and flower exhibits closed for judging

5 p.m. — Fair opens

6 p.m. — Shepherd’s lead contest (Show Arena)

8 p.m. — Catch-it-heifer scramble (Rodeo Arena)

Aug. 13

8 a.m. — Swine show (Show Arena)

2 p.m. — Rabbit show, with poultry show following

6 p.m. — Market lamb show

5 p.m.-8 p.m. — Bouncy houses by Tucumcari Baptist Association

Aug. 14

8 a.m. — Goat show (Show Arena)

2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. — Watermelon feed

3 p.m.-5 p.m. — Mini-Carnival, Travis Nelson Building

3:30 p.m. — Catch-it-heifer Show (Show arena) followed by commercial heifer show

5 p.m.-8 p.m. — Bouncy houses by Tucumcari Baptist Association

5:30 p.m. — Steer show (Show Arena), exhibitors’ livestock sale meeting

Aug. 15

7:30 a.m. — Horse show (Rodeo Arena)

9 a.m. — Farm Bureau goat roping

10 a.m. — Itty Bitty Rodeo (Show Arena)

11 a.m.-1 p.m. — Mini-carnival, Travis Nelson Building

1 p.m. — Pet parade (Show Arena)

1 p.m. — Farm Bureau horseshoe pitching contest (pits)

5 p.m.-8 p.m. — Bouncy houses by Tucumcari Baptist Association

5 p.m. — Buyers reception — Show Arena

6 p.m. — Junior livestock sale (Show Arena)

9 p.m. — Remove exhibits and award premiums

More information: 461-0562.