Box Elder County Fair is a special place to be in 2023

TREMONTON – There is something special about the Box Elder County Fair and Rodeo as it continues to grow in size and scope.

The Fair Parade on Tremonton Street is always a popular and exciting event. People must try to be there early if they want a good space to watch it.

Brent Rose, the chairman of the Box Elder Golden Spike Rodeo, said they practically had a sold-out arena on Wednesday night for The Bulls and Broncs Night and the rest of the rodeo on Thursday, Friday and Saturday is pretty-well sold out.

“We have a $15,000 per event payout and this year we should have over $250,000 total payout for this year’s rodeo,” Rose said. “I think our rodeo is number 39 on the rodeo tour that leads to the National finals so we get some pretty good participants.”

The rodeo attracts some of the most outstanding cowboys and cowgirls as well as the best rodeo livestock the industry has to offer. And the stands are packed with the best fans in northern Utah.

The kids showing livestock is every parent’s shining moment as they take their animal to be judged.

Generally, there are over 400 vendors on the grounds selling anything imaginable and any kind of food to feed even the hungriest person.

City of Fun Carnival knows how to spice up the fair with their carnival rides and concessions.

But the most special thing about the Box Elder County Fair and Rodeo is their livestock auction. Last year the livestock auction for the FFA and 4-H animals paid out $2 million to those who raised animals. Jade Garn, a livestock committee secretary, confirmed the amount. When you throw in a cause in at the Box Elder County it’s like throwing gas on the fire.

This year the hearts of the county are turned to Haylee Nelson, a 10-year-old girl going through a rough patch.

Haylee was rushed to Primary Children’s Hospital on Dec. 27, 2022. The weather was so poor they had to take Haylee and the Life Flight team in vehicle to the Salt Lake City hospital.

A simple sinus infection spread to the brain causing encephalitis and meningitis. After the first of four surgeries her body started rejecting her skull. Using a 3D printer the doctors printed a new skull and they continued to closely monitor her progress. Haylee’s first stay in the hospital lasted 48 days.

Her September 27 surgery was moved up to next week on Wednesday, Aug. 30.

A bunch of friends and neighbors have been trying to help the Nelson family any way they can. On August 5, Haylee rode on a horse drawn wagon during the Wheat and Berry Days Parade. Her father Daniel Nelson, a local firefighter, drove a fire engine truck in front of the wagon.

Bret and Julia Selman drove the team that pulled the wagon she was riding in, themed Haylee’s Day: Horses, Heroes and Healing.

After the parade some neighbors got Turn Pro Jackpots-Barrel Racing and Pole Bending Jackpots Utah to come to the rodeo arena as a fund raiser. Amberley Snyder, the wheelchair-bound rodeo personality, made a guest appearance. Funds raised at the event went to the Nelson family.

There were a ton of people at the event to support Haylee and her family.

There has been an amazing group of neighbors and friends who have tried to help the family and this is where the magic happens at the Box Elder County Fair.

Kasey and Jennifer Thomson, the Nelson’s next-door neighbors, have watched as amazing people came together to try to aid and comfort the Nelson family.

“People have just been amazing,” Jennifer said. “This community has people that want to help when their neighbors need it.”

Bart Stevenson donated the lamb. Todd and Robyn (Bob) Bingham whose daughter Izzy raised, trained, and showed her lamb and Haylee’s lamb at this week’s judging. When Izzy showed Haylee’s lamb Haylee stood in the ring with her. There are a bunch of others who have offered to help.

Izzy’s lamb got third-place ribbon and Haylee’s lamb took second place and got a blue ribbon. Last year a Box Elder County school teacher was in a car crash, and someone raised a lamb to help him with expenses. The lamb sold for approximately $8,000.

Now if all the stars align like they sometimes do at the Box Elder County Fair, the lamb auction will take place at the BEJL building Saturday, 9:30 a.m. in Ring 2. People will see the Box Elder County Fair is “The Best Place to Be in 2023,” and they will witness what the amazing folks that live in that county can do for someone they care about.

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!