GUNNISON, Colo. – Organizers of the largest annual community event have been working diligently to include all facets of Cattlemen’s Days in one location.

With that means making some changes, including the dates and general location of the Cattlemen’s Days carnival, set for Wednesday, July 3-Saturday, July 6, on the east side of Fred Field Western Center in Gunnison.

“When the county built the affordable-housing complex, they placed in the area where our carnival used to be,” said Tyler Hanson, first vice president of the Cattlemen’s Days committee. “We moved it off site last year, but we really wanted it to be at the fairgrounds. Changing the dates of our carnival was really the only way we could make that happen.

“We’re having the carnival set up on the east side, just east of the arena and grandstands area. That’s going to allow for the best option to have the carnival at the fairgrounds and for easy access to the rides from all directions.”

It’s a modification, but it’s one Cattlemen’s Days organizers hope will offer the best benefit to those that love the rides and attractions that come with the carnival. A year ago, St. Peter’s Catholic Church allowed the carnival to take place in an empty block it owns a few blocks north of the fairgrounds.

By bringing it back to the fairgrounds, committee members hope to enhance the overall experience of Cattlemen’s Days while also helping promote all that happens during the exposition. From the livestock shows to the 4H projects to the award-winning PRCA rodeo, a great community event takes place inside that complex.

“We’re bringing in G&S Shows as our new carnival provider and are very excited about what that company is going to bring to town,” said Brad Tutor, president of the volunteer committee. “Our goal as a committee is to have the best entertainment possible, and I think doing things this way gives us that chance this year.”

The carnival will be open 5-10 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, and Friday, July 5, and 2-10 p.m. Thursday, July 4, and Saturday, July 6.

“We understand this is an adjustment, so we put a lot of thought into how we handle the carnival this year,” Tutor said. “There will be things going on that first weekend, like the 4H horse show, the royalty tryouts and ranch rodeo, so the carnival should fit right into that schedule.”