The Fair is good for Kids

Pam and Scott Thayer are well known in Rawlins and Carbon County for their work and volunteer efforts.

They were still surprised and honored when Scott was picked to be the Grand Marshal of the Carbon County Fair in 2022.

It was no surprise to Carbon County Fair director Julie Webb who said Scott had been selected because of his support of the Fair.

"He has supported the Fair so much over the years as has RNB State Bank where he recently retired," Webb said. "The board picked him as sort of a nice send off as he goes on to new adventures. I am so glad he is going to get to go and do things with his dad now. Getting to enjoy ranch life again."

Scott was born and raised in Rawlins and then went to University of Wyoming. Once he graduated he moved to California.

"I spent the longest year of my life in Southern California, Scott said. "Southern California was very different to a Carbon County boy. I was pretty green and naive."

Scott became a bank examiner and moved around the country.

"Then I moved around even more when I worked for the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) when I found myself in Denver, met Pam there, and started a family," Scott said.

"I had to get off the road so I took a job with USDA. Then in 2004, Mike Adams called from the Rawlins National Bank and offered me a job. That was in 2005, and we have been here ever since."

Pam said she might have been raised in Colorado but her heart belongs to Carbon County. She is the Executive Director of the Rawlins Downtown Development Corporation.

"I got involved with the Fair in 2005," Pam said. "I worked with Cheryl Munroe and I was hooked. I clerked back then and I still do so. I help Julie in the office where I can and I look at it as giving back to the 4-H and FFA kids."

The Thayers got more involved with the Fair because their youngest daughter Darby would compete in the open saddle horse show. She also wanted to be a Fair princess. Her sister, Sydney, started to work with dogs.

"The girls started forming relationships with other kids who were doing what they were," Scott said "The girls showed many animals and they built friendships all over the county. Many of these relationships have continued at U of W."

Pam said, over the years she has watched how the kids help each other and leadership being displayed from the more experienced kids.

"I think it is sometimes a little hard as a parent to pull back when the kids are working on a project, but when you see how so many kids lead by example, you realize how important these relationships are." Pam said. "We as parents should do everything in our power to let these bonds get strong."

The Thayers are proud of their daughters because, now that they are older, they lead the younger kids by example.

"They are paying back what was done for them," Pam said. "As a parent, how can we not be proud?"

Scott said he is thankful his daughters had great teachers.

"Sometimes our kids took more instruction from others than their parents," Scott laughed. "I am sure that has been said before. But our daughters have really run with their projects over the years."

The Thayers had very positive things to say about Webb. They said Webb's dedication is outstanding.

"During the summer COVID hit, we didn't know if we were going to have the fair and the board, commissioners and Julie made the decision to have it and be safe," Scott said. "It was a brave step to take since so many other fairs and rodeos had been canceled. The planning and dedication really came through. Julie and the board didn't falter."

The Thayers said the epitome of how good the fair can be, was last year when a pig was bought and given back to the girl six times to resell to help her family who had suffered a tremendous loss the night before.

"You want to talk about the heart of the Carbon County community," Scott said. "It was amazing."

Pam said kids work all year round and the Fair is their vindication of their hard work.

"I think people forget what being in the 4-H and FFA can do for kids," Pam said. "There are scholarships, the kids can earn money by selling their animals and put it towards college. The Fair brings it all together."

The Thayers had kind words about Webb and she in turn had kind words for the Thayer family.

"You can tell a lot about people by their kids," Webb said. "Their daughters Darby and Sydney are an absolute godsend during Fair Week. Then Pam clerks for me and the Thayer family are just fun people who are assets to the community. I am so glad they are our Grand Marshals this year."