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Weld County Fair coordinator named 2016 Fair Manager of the Year

Staff reports
Konkel

More awards

The Weld County Fair took home three awards this year from the Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs for work done in connection with this year’s fair.

The association is comprised of more than 400 fairs from nine western states and two Canadian provinces. Weld County organizers had four entries at this year’s convention. All four finished in the top three in Division A, which is for fairs with less than 100,000 in annual attendance. The awards are: first place for promotional poster; first place for fair photo; third place for fair book and third place for fair photo — animal or person, according to a news release from Weld County Fair organizers.

The Greeley Tribune created the flier and fair book on behalf of the fair. Tribune Graphic Designer Nichole Mathiason did the award-winning work. The fair photos were taken by exhibitors and fairgoers who submitted them for use in promoting the fair.

To submit photos from the 2016 Weld County Fair for use promoting the 2017 fair, email jkonkel@weldgov.com.

Weld County Fair Coordinator Janet Konkel was recently named 2016 Fair Manager of the Year at the Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs convention.

She was nominated by her peers and was selected by the Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs board of directors, according to a news release.

Konkel was presented the award because she developed new relationships with businesses and organizations and generated new sponsorship dollars, increasing community participation and visibility at the Weld County Fair. She developed new attractions that drew more about 43,000 to this year’s fair, such as horse-drawn carriage rides, a free community barbecue, Fiddle Fest and Senior Day. Her efforts allowed the Weld County Fair to remain free of cost to the public while maintaining a family atmosphere, the release stated.



“Janet Konkel is a knowledgeable and enthusiastic individual who is passionate about the Weld County Fair,” said Keith Maxey, director of the CSU Weld County Extension, in the release. “These, and other attributes, have helped her be successful in coordinating one of the largest county fairs in Colorado.”

Konkel is a native of Arizona, but has lived in Weld County for a long time. She was a 10-year member of 4-H in Yavapai County, Ariz., and graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in agricultural business. She also served as a 4-H leader and with the Weld County 4-H Washington Focus Youth Group.



Konkel started working at the Weld County Fair in February 2011. Before that, she worked at National Western Stock Show for eight years and owned a Baskin Robbins Ice Cream in Greeley. Janet and her husband Mike farm south of Kersey.

Once a year, fair officials from 425 fairs in nine western states and two Canadian provinces meet at the Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs convention to share ideas and honor those in the industry who have made a difference. ❖


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