For the third year in a row, Arapahoe County has earned international recognition for the county fair through the International Association of Fairs and Expositions.

The county won two first place awards for its 2010 “Barnyard Boogie” campaign and a first and second place award for its agricultural programming.

The International Association of Fairs and Expositions is a nonprofit organization that promotes the development and improvement of fairs, shows and expositions.

County Commissioner Rod Bockenfeld, who chairs the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners, says the awards are the product of dedication to the fair by county workers.

“Year after year, employees demonstrate their dedication to the residents of Arapahoe County by putting on an incredible community event that celebrates our agricultural history and provides fun for the entire family,” Bockenfeld said.

Marketing of the fair is overseen by the county’s Communication Services, run by communications director Andrea Rasizer.

The fair won the Agricultural Award of Excellence for the “Overall Agricultural Program for the Non-Agricultural Fair-Going Public.”

The fair won second place for its Fair and Sponsor/Partner Joint Exhibit Program, which featured Royal Crest Dairy and the Farmer Brown’s Mini Farm and Petting Zoo.

“Our fair not only teaches children that milk and eggs don’t come from the store, but from animals, and we give them a chance to experience it with the opportunity to milk a cow and so much more,” Bockenfeld said.

The 2011 Arapahoe County Fair will be held July 20–24 at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds and Regional Park, 25690 E. Quincy Ave. in Aurora.