The 149th Arkansas Valley Fair is underway in Rocky Ford, celebrating a tradition that dates back to 1878!The fair runs through Saturday at the Arkansas Valley Fairgrounds, with carnival rides, rodeo events, live entertainment, exhibits, vendors and activities for families.Friday is Parade Day, with the annual parade scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday is Watermelon Day, featuring a free watermelon giveaway at 11 a.m. View a full schedule of events at the bottom of this article. Learn more about the 149-year tradition in the video player below:The Arkansas Valley Fair bills itself as the oldest continuous fair in Colorado. The tradition of Watermelon Day began in 1878, when local farmer George Swink invited residents to share his watermelon crop.Parade Day Friday, August 21, 2026 10:00 a.m. Arkansas Valley Fair Grand Parade Downtown Rocky Ford Main Street Sponsored by Rocky Ford Lions Club 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Exposition Building Open Booths, Crafts / Fine Arts, Open Class Foods and Crops On Display 11:00 a.m. AVF Queens Mayors Luncheon by invitation only Noon to Midnight Beer Garden - Open Under the Grandstand and in the Pavilion 12:30 p.m. Calcutta for Ranch Rodeo Open Bronc Riding 1:00 p.m. Grand Entry, Ranch Rodeo, Open Bronc Riding Horse Races - Calcutta - Grandstand Arena and Track 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Flower Show, Open Class Needlework Exhibits Roundhouse 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Bingo Bingo Building 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ONLY Registration for Horse Race Meet Race Office or call 719-316-1004 6:00 p.m. to Midnight Entertainment and Beer Garden in the Pavilion - sponsored by Familia Pueblo Events 7:00 p.m. 17th HorseBite Mutton Bustin Grandstand Arena - limited to 25 contestants 7:00 p.m. AVF Rodeo (CPRA) Grandstand Arena 7:00 p.m. to Midnight Entertainment in the Beer Garden under the Grandstand Country Music by Tommy VWATERMELON DAY SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2026 6:30 a.m. 5K 10K run Registration RFJSHS Melon Field Track 7:00 a.m. 5K 10k, Half Marathon RFJSHS Melon Field Track Sponsored by Graphic Design 8:00 a.m. 2 Mile Kids Race RFJSHS Melon Field Track 8:00 a.m. Rodeo Slack Arena 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Flower Show and Needlework Roundhouse 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Exposition Building Open Booths, Crafts and Fine Arts, also Open Class Foods and Crops 10:00 a.m. Carved Watermelon Contest in front of Roundhouse Sponsored by Hollar and Company 10:30 a.m. Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest Near 4-H Event Center Sponsored by the Rocky Ford Rotary Club 11:00 a.m. Open Watermelon Pile In Front of 4H Event Center - Sponsored by the Rocky Ford Rotary Club Noon to Midnight Beer Garden - Open Under the Grandstand and in the Pavilion 12:30 p.m. Grand Entry, 2027 AVF Queen Coronation 1:00 p.m. AVF Rodeo (CPRA), Horse Races Calcutta 1:00 to 10:00 p.m. Bingo Bingo Building 5:00 p.m. to Midnight Entertainment and Beer Garden in the Pavilion - sponsored by Familia Pueblo Events 7:00 p.m. to Midnight Entertainment in the Beer Garden under the Grandstand - Country Music by TOMMY V 7:30 p.m. Demolition Derby, Arena_______Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching. ...read more read less