45 years and growing

Thousands are expected to descend on Colusa next week to see and, vendors hope, buy the latest and greatest innovations in farming technology.

About 40,000 people are expected to attend the 45th annual Colusa Farm Show, when it gets underway Tuesday, organizers said.

"I predict that it is going to be a good show," said Carolan Meek, chief executive officer of the Colusa County Fairgrounds. "It's been a good year for agriculture."

In addition to hundreds of large, heavy, shiny pieces of farm machinery on display, including tractors, cotton-pickers and combines, there will be a large number of agriculture-related businesses offering a variety of services.

Dozens of exhibitors already began setting up the heavy equipment in the parking lot and mall areas on Friday in anticipation of the show.

"Except for a little bit of mud, it's going pretty well," said fairgrounds employee Thomas Saunders.

Although showers are expected to cross the Doppler several days next week, fair officials anticipate a good turnout.

"We've been rained on before," said Jim Rogers, Farm Show steering committee chairman. "That never stops us."

About 250 vendors are expected at the show, with the fairgrounds accepting new vendors until Monday.

"We're bursting at the seams," Meek said.

In addition to exhibits, Meek said she expects visitors will enjoy a variety of educational forums and demonstrations, including those presented twice-daily by the Colusa County Master Gardners on water conservation in home gardens.

The Colusa County Resource Conservation District will present a workshop Tuesday on the use of buried drip irrigation in tomato production, and the Family Water Alliance expects a standing-room only crowd at its annual water forum on Wednesday.

The big event scheduled for Thursday is the third annual commodity cook-off.

"We've had a lot of interest in this event, and I'm trying to build it up," Meek said.

Miss Colusa County Anastasia Cristler said she can't wait to join Colusa Casino Resort chefs in judging the contest.

"I'm excited," Cristler said. "I love food."

Meek said the cook-off will accept entries until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, opening day of the show.

A Dutch oven competition has been added to the cook-off this year.

"Dutch-oven cooking seems to have a lot of personality and cook-offs usually get a lot of participation," said Kay Hosmer, member of the Farm Show Steering Committee and owner of Picket Fence Antiques, which is sponsoring the event, in an earlier interview. "They are fun to watch, so they draw spectators. That's the idea...to draw as many people as possible."

Although organizers are hoping clear skies, the annual Farm Show will go on rain or shine.

Contact Susan Meeker at 458-2121 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.