By Shannon Lukens.
Linda Long is retiring from the Routt County Fair Advisory Board, after serving on the board for almost 34 years. She has volunteered in the Home Arts section of the fair for over 53 years.
“I’m going to miss the people. Serving all of the participants of the fair for the last 53 years has been an honor, I’m going to really miss that. I really will. And all of the workers that I’ve worked with all of the years too. They’ve been superb, all the volunteers that have worked beside me to make me look good, I’m going to miss that, too.”
Long’s service with the fair board started by accident when she was in the Rabbit Hutch building with her sons.
“It was raining hard, really hard and I just stepped in to actually get out of the rain, and Shirley was covering everything feverishly because the building leaked like a sieve, and I said to her, ‘Can I help you, Shirley?’ and she said, ‘Yes,’ and that started it and she never did let me quit.”
Linda has seen a lot over the years at the Routt County Fair in Hayden.
“Kids let the bulls out. They were having a good time and the bulls got out and went down Main Street of Hayden. All of us on the fair board was chasing them everywhere. We finally got them all back in about 4 o’clock in the morning.”
Linda Long was elected as secretary of the Fair Board in 1991 and says she has served as secretary ever since. She lives in Oak Creek.
Long’s last day is Dec. 31.
Here is Linda Long’s resignation letter to the Routt County Fair Board.
It is with a heavy and proud heart I am tendering my retirement/resignation from the Routt County Fair board and other duties, effective Dec. 31, 2024. Serving (33) years as a Board Member. This Jan. 2025 would be (34) years ago that I began to serve on the Fair board. I was elected as Secretary at the Jan. 1991 meeting and have served every year as Secretary since.
At the same time in 1984/1985, I became the Exhibit Hall Building Superintendent and began many improvements in the Building and Exhibits, showing as high as (1,900+) entries, and Routt County became the envy of most Colorado Fairs, with some awesome volunteers working beside me. I have served in this position the past (40) years. I am also retiring from this position effective Dec. 31, 2024.
At the same time in 1971/1972 I started as a Fair volunteer and 4-H Leader, working with Sam Haslem and Shirley Portow, and became a Crops Superintendent and Volunteer serving this position for the past (53) years. I am also retiring from this position as the Crops Superintendent, effective Dec. 31, 2024.
Again, it has been my honor to serve all of the Fair participants, both young & old.
I want to be remembered for the dedication and passion I served with, more than the years of service.
I am leaving a written record of all the duties I have performed putting on the Fair through the years, in all of these positions and a brief history of the Fair.
THANKS to all for the Honor, the Support and the Memories!
Best Regards,
Linda K. Long
Aug. 18, 2022 — Linda Long celebrates 50 years with the Routt County Fair
Feb. 2, 2023 — Traditional Groundhog Day Dinner returns to Yampa