The annual parade for the Moffat County Fair, which usually occurs the last weekend of the fair, has been moved to Aug. 2, which is the first weekend of the event.

“We just thought that we’d kick off the fair (instead of ending with it),” said Karen Brown, of the Community Budget Center, who is organizing the parade.

Previously, Nate Balstad organized the parade but this year the Downtown Business Association decided to take it over.

So far Brown has only seven entries but is hoping to have 50 to 60 by the sign-up deadline. Brown said she would take entries until the day before the parade.

The parade will start at 10 a.m. and will line up at Breeze and 7th streets. It will start at the corner of 7th Street and Yampa Avenue, turn south on Yampa Avenue, turn west on Victory Way and then north on Ledford Street.

“Just as long as the person has time to get their float together,” Brown said.

Entries should be designed with the theme of the fair in mind, which is 85 Years of Joy and Tears.

This year marks the 85th year for the Moffat County Fair.

Brown said not only would organizers like to see more entries, they would like to get a band to play at the parade.

“We need a band,” Brown said, “otherwise we won’t have any music.”

Blomquist Construction is one company that will have a float in the parade this year, the first year the business is participating in the event.

“We have children in the fair and we thought it would be a good way to advertise our business,” Cherie Blomquist said.

Austin, 13, and Miranda Blomquist, 10, are both showing pigs and ducks in the fair.

The float is going to consist of a trailer being pulled by a truck but Blomquist said she did not want to divulge the details of what the float will look like. However, they will be handing out candy.

“We went down to Sam’s and bought three huge bags of candy,” Blomquist said.

Liz King is an intern with the Craig Daily Press. She can be reached at 824-7031 and eking@craigdailypress.com.