Sanders County Fair a grand success
TRACY SCOTT Valley Press | Valley Press-Mineral Independent | UPDATED 2 hours, 46 minutes AGO
Junior sheep showmanship judging at the Sanders County Fair. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
The goat show at the Sanders County Fair. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Yakima, Washington barrel racer Tristan Parrish clocks one of the quickest rides with a time of 17.41 seconds. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Trianna Horner, a member of the Trout Creek Mavericks, gets the Senior Grand Champion Award in the rabbit category at the 2026 Sanders County Fair. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Local veteran Bill Beck rides in the Sanders County Fair Parade in Plains. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Steer wrestlers at the Sanders County Fair and Rodeo. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Team roping at the Sanders County Fair and Rodeo. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Steer wrestling at the Sanders County Fair. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Snacks at the Sanders County Fairgrounds. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Scott Johnson a volunteer for the semi-annual Plains Beautification Day cleaning up after the Sanders County Fair Parade. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Sam Levine from Wolf Creek scores a time of 11.8 seconds. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Mutton busting is not for the faint of heart. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Local tree service company A Cut Above includes the whole family in the Sanders County Fair Parade. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Children anticipate loads of candy to fill their bags at the Sanders County Fair Parade. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Junior sheep showmanship judging at the Sanders County Fair. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
A bull rider during the Friday evening Sanders County Fair and Rodeo. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Isaiah Schork from Trout Creek tests his skills during the cattle roping competition at the 2026 Sanders County Fair. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Hanging on during the steer wrestling event at the Sanders County Fair. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Grady Young during the Sanders County Fair bull riding event. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Emmalee Hafene prepares her animal for show at the Sanders County Fair. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Clayton Sellars from Fruitland Park, Florida during the Sanders County Fair bull riding event. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Clayton Sellars from Fruitland Park, Florida during the Sanders County Fair bull riding event. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Clayton Sellars from Fruitland Park, Florida during the Sanders County Fair bull riding event. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Carnival fun on the slide at the Sanders County Fair. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Bulll rider Cole Wagner from Valier bails before the full 8 seconds at the Sanders County Fair and Rodeo. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Bronc riding at the Sanders County Fair and Rodeo. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Bronc riding at the Sanders County Fair and Rodeo. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Bronc riding at the Sanders County Fair and Rodeo. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Bode Scott from Pryor, Montana makes a time of 11.3 seconds at the Sanders County Fair and Rodeo steer roping event. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Thousands of residents and visitors attended the Sanders County Fair last weekend, enjoying livestock shows, carnival rides, local entertainment and the excitement of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo.
The five-day event showcased agriculture, community spirit and youth achievement, providing 4-H members and their families with an opportunity to display the results of months of hard work through exhibits and competitions.
The Sanders County Fair is made possible by hundreds of volunteers, thousands of hours of preparation and the support of numerous sponsors whose contributions help ensure the event's success each year.
Thursday marked the first day of competition, giving fair participants an opportunity to showcase the countless hours they had invested in training, creating and raising their projects. The day's events began with youth horsemanship competitions, where young riders demonstrated their skills in a variety of categories, including roping, horse management and stock sorting. Judges evaluated participants on their knowledge, technique and overall horsemanship as they competed for top honors.
Over the next three days, dozens of projects and livestock entries were evaluated by a panel of judges whose expertise reflected years of experience in their respective fields. Several judges traveled long distances to participate, including Chance Greene of Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Greene offered encouragement and advice to exhibitors throughout the judging process, providing valuable feedback in each category he evaluated. Also serving as a livestock judge was Robert McMannamy of Newport, Wash. ,who brought his own extensive experience and insight to the competition.
Their knowledge and guidance helped make the judging process both educational and rewarding for participants, many of whom spent months preparing their projects and animals for the fair.
Following each day's judging, fair participants and visitors had the opportunity to explore a variety of vendor booths, exhibits, and attractions throughout the fairgrounds. The carnival remained a popular destination for young fairgoers, providing entertainment and excitement throughout the week.
Evening activities began with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo, which drew large crowds each night. After the rodeo, attendees enjoyed live music during the "After the Dust Settles" concert series, sponsored by Studs Building and Home and Rehbein Ford.
Wednesday evenings performance was the Community Worship Night. Ashes & Arrows performed Thursday evening, and the Theresa Edwards Band performed Friday evening. The Kelly Hughes Band took the stage Friday night.
Saturday morning, Montana 200 was temporarily closed through downtown Plains for the ever-popular Sanders County Fair Parade. Fifty-four entries made their way down Railroad Street, as participants tossed candy to eager children lining the route.
The parade's grand marshal was veteran Bill Beck, who was honored for his service and contributions to the community with the Sanders County Community Service Award.
Saturday evening, 4-H members took to the dance floor at the pavilion for a youth dance, while the final PRCA rodeo performance of the fair drew another enthusiastic crowd.
Activities continued on Sunday with the annual market livestock sale, carnival rides, and the always popular demolition derby, providing a fitting conclusion to another successful Sanders County Fair.
Sanders County Fair results:
Swine Showmanship
Senior Class Grand Champion Showmanship Sheldon Frank from the Trout Creek Mavericks
Reserve Champion in Showmanship Dana Kassidy from the Trout Creek Mavericks
Junior Class
Grand Champion Showmanship Andrew Frank from the Trout Creek Mavericks
Reserve Champion Showmanship Colt Browning from the South Side Sparks
Novice Class
Grand Champion Showmanship Kiya Hiorth from the Hot Springs Wranglers
Reservice Champion Showmanship Hoyt Bangen from the Hot Spring Wranglers
Rabbit Showmanship
Judged by Melody Henault from Potomac, Montana
Senior
Grand Champion Brianna Horner from the Trout Creek Mavericks
Reserve Champion Andrew Frank from the Trout Creek Mavericks
Goats Showmanship
Senior
Grand Champion Brielle Clarke from the Hot Spring Wranglers
Reserve Champion Zoe Kifer from the Hot Spring Wrangler
Junior
Grand Champion Katherine Wessely from the South Side Sparks
Reserve Champion Eliana Clarke from the Hot Springs Wranglers
Cats Showmanship
Junior
Grand Champion Ailie Avilla of the South Side Sparks
Reserve Champion Caydence Etienne from the Heron-Noxon Explorers
Sheep Showmanship
Judge Chance Greene for Stillwater, Oklahoma
Senior
Grand Champion Alida Feiro from the South Side Sparks
Reserve Champion Kylie Silva
Dairy Cow Showmanship
Judge Robert McMannamy from Newport, Washington
Senior
Grand Championship Moriah Champneys from South Side Sparks
Reserve Championship Zoe Kifer from Hot Springs Wranglers
Beef Showmanship
Senior
Grand Champion Gavin Hafner from the South Side Sparks
Reserve Champion Brooklynn Crain from the South Side Sparks
Juniors
Grand Champion Addy Havens from the Trout Creek Mavericks
Reserve Champion Lila Mae Stephens from the Hot Springs Wranglers
Horse Showmanship
Senior
Grand Champion Isaiah Schork from the Trout Creek Mavericks
Reserve Champion Matea Keefe from the Thompson Falls Mountaineers
Junior
Grand Champion Paisley Helvey from the Thompson Falls Mountaineers
Reserve Champion A.J. Anderson from the Trout Creek Mavericks
Art and Communication
Grand Champion Elsie Myers
The goat show at the Sanders County Fair. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Yakima, Washington barrel racer Tristan Parrish clocks one of the quickest rides with a time of 17.41 seconds. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Trianna Horner, a member of the Trout Creek Mavericks, gets the Senior Grand Champion Award in the rabbit category at the 2026 Sanders County Fair. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Local veteran Bill Beck rides in the Sanders County Fair Parade in Plains. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Steer wrestlers at the Sanders County Fair and Rodeo. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Team roping at the Sanders County Fair and Rodeo. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Steer wrestling at the Sanders County Fair. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Snacks at the Sanders County Fairgrounds. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Scott Johnson a volunteer for the semi-annual Plains Beautification Day cleaning up after the Sanders County Fair Parade. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Sam Levine from Wolf Creek scores a time of 11.8 seconds. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Mutton busting is not for the faint of heart. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Local tree service company A Cut Above includes the whole family in the Sanders County Fair Parade. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Children anticipate loads of candy to fill their bags at the Sanders County Fair Parade. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Junior sheep showmanship judging at the Sanders County Fair. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
A bull rider during the Friday evening Sanders County Fair and Rodeo. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Isaiah Schork from Trout Creek tests his skills during the cattle roping competition at the 2026 Sanders County Fair. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Hanging on during the steer wrestling event at the Sanders County Fair. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Grady Young during the Sanders County Fair bull riding event. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Emmalee Hafene prepares her animal for show at the Sanders County Fair. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Clayton Sellars from Fruitland Park, Florida during the Sanders County Fair bull riding event. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Clayton Sellars from Fruitland Park, Florida during the Sanders County Fair bull riding event. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Clayton Sellars from Fruitland Park, Florida during the Sanders County Fair bull riding event. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Carnival fun on the slide at the Sanders County Fair. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Bulll rider Cole Wagner from Valier bails before the full 8 seconds at the Sanders County Fair and Rodeo. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Bronc riding at the Sanders County Fair and Rodeo. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Bronc riding at the Sanders County Fair and Rodeo. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Bronc riding at the Sanders County Fair and Rodeo. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Bode Scott from Pryor, Montana makes a time of 11.3 seconds at the Sanders County Fair and Rodeo steer roping event. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott