Fair Dedication

2025 Dedictation-Andrea Pettit

Andrea grew up in 4-H in San Juan County where she was active in helping with her family’s farm and ranch raising sheep, cattle and racehorses. Andrea went on to pursue a Master’s Degree in Ag Education at New Mexico State University which led to her becoming the 4-H agent in Otero county prior to her marrying Warren and moving to Artesia.

It was shortly after her move to Artesia that she began volunteering at the Eddy County Fair. Andrea’s love of kids and livestock was always apparent as she served the fair as a volunteer helping with the sheep show until becoming a co-superintendent with Lex Klein. She and Warren have been the Booster Buckle donors for over 20 years in addition to donating buckles and banners for various species. Adrea also served as an Eddy County Fairboard member for several years. She may be best known for her creative talent painting the picture board every year. Fair goers and showers always looked forward to her theme for the new year!

In addition to her many hours spent directly helping at the fair, Adrea continued to raise show lambs from the herd she had growing up and supplied many show lambs to kids over the years so they could show them at county fairs across the state. She was always willing to give help, advice, and show tips to anyone who needed them. She furnished many kids with lead lambs as well for Ladie’s Lead. Many of the kids would return their lambs to her and they would go back into the herd to produce lambs the next year.

Andrea’s many contributions over the years to kids and families are hard to measure but Eddy County Fair was especially blessed to have her over 20 years. Today Andrea continues to be actively involved in the livestock industry raising show lambs as well as helping anyone who needs a hand.

2024 Dedication-Richard (Stik) and Rachel West

The 2024 Eddy County Fair Board would like to recognize Richard (Stik) and Rachel West for their years of support and dedication to the Eddy County Fair!

Married in 1979 Richard (Stik) and Rachel West will be married for 45 years on August 31^st.

If you have been a part of the fair for very long, you know that technology has a vital role in the everyday functioning and smoothness of its workings, and we have this technology thanks to Rachel and her sister, Janice Parrott. After Stik and Rachel’s children graduated from showing animals and participating in 4H and FFA, Rachel then agreed to came back and work in the Eddy County Fair office from 2000-2006, stepping down and yet still serving as a lifeline to the office with support for the computers and network.

Rachel is a native of Eddy County, raised outside of Carlsbad by her parents, Jess and Ann Rayroux. Rachel grew up with a love of agriculture and her family. She also has a love for her belief and strength she finds in her church. Rachel not only has an understanding and passion for technology but a very remarkable fact about Rachel is that she was the first person to gain the Microsoft certifications in Carlsbad, which helped her when working for Carlsbad Municipal Schools technology department and then starting her own business.

Stik, born to Richard (Dick) and Glenda West, is also a native to Eddy County. Stik worked for IMC before retiring from WIPP and his position as the lead of the Mine Rescue Team.

When the couple is not in Timberon, NM, at their cabin, they enjoy spending time in their huge garden, looking after the farm, and checking cattle. The couple was blessed with three children, Tom, Mike (wife Jaclyn), and Chris (wife Ashley), and 6 grandchildren, which are Stik and Rachel’s pride and joy.