Growing up in Pueblo, I remember at an early age every year attending the Colorado State Fair. Lucky for me, the fair always came around my birthday and gave me an opportunity to enjoy livestock, rodeos and carnival rides, not to mention that All American State Fair Food. It was and remains for my family and me a time of year we all enjoy and look forward to.

Few know that while Colorado was becoming a state in 1876 the State Fair was already earning its place in history. In 1872, approximately 2,000 people came together in Pueblo for a horse exhibition. It was from this meager beginning the Colorado State Fair was born.In its 143-year history, interestingly, the fair has only been cancelled once. That was in 1917, during World War I, when the Fairgrounds’ horse stables and open space offered an ideal training facility and site for the Army National Guard.

Since then, the Colorado State Fair has continued its proud tradition of promoting agriculture, livestock, water conservation, horticulture and mining while showcasing products of the state of Colorado. Established in C.R.S 35-65-105, this annual event held in Pueblo has quickly developed into the largest summer event in the state, offering families a fun, educational summer vacation.

This year the Colorado State Fair will kick off festivities with its annual Legislative BBQ on August 28. In addition to this event, during its 11 days, the State Fair will highlight food and products from throughout the state and include educational breakouts on where various food comes from and the role agriculture plays in their lives. Fairgoers will be able to learn more about how farmers and ranchers care for their livestock and land.

The State Fair is a treasure that has created economic benefit that stretches across the entire state. Throughout the year, the Fairgrounds facility provides nearly $34 million in economic activity to Colorado – $29 million of that driven by the annual State Fair itself. A great example of the impact of the State Fair is the Junior Livestock Sale, which has proven instrumental in supporting the future of Colorado’s agribusiness as it demonstrates to youth the importance of raising quality livestock and the work required of those who pursue careers in agriculture. In all, 31 counties have benefited from the Junior Livestock Sale in the last five years, with the top five counties being Adams, Logan, Pueblo, Weld and Yuma.

Recently, the Colorado State Fair was recognized and ranked 17th in the nation for great American Fairs. As the time nears for this annual event to take place from Aug. 28-Sept. 7, I hope that you will join me for an exciting end-of-summer 2015 Colorado State Fair – full of good ol’ western fun.

State Sen. Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo, represents Senate District 3. He serves on the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee and the Senate Transportation Committee. He teaches emergency medical services at Pueblo Community College and also works as a paramedic.