Lester and Carol Sluggett have been a ranching, agricultural, and rodeo minded team since they married June 2, 1962.
Lester came from a farm/ranch that his father Lester Sluggett Sr homesteaded in 1924, 30 miles south of Big Sandy near the Missouri River. His wife to be Carol Henderson, grew up on her family ranch in the Bear Paw Mountains near the tiny town of Warrick. After they were married Lester and Carol bought his dad's Big Sandy ranch and ran it until 1972, when they purchased their current ranch 16 miles east of the Bohemian Corner. They packed up their four children, Levi, Lisa, Lana, and Lari and headed south, moving all of their belongings in several trips across the Missouri River Ferry at the Judith Landing (now served by the PNB Bridge).
In 1975, their children Levi and Lisa enrolled in the 4-H events which included showing livestock. This sparked the family's long involvement and commitment to the 4-H program and Central Montana Fair.
Lana and Lari participated in later years when they were old enough and Carol served as a 4-H leader from 1975 to 1989. She spent countless hours volunteering at the fair, including cooking at the 4_h Food Booth and helping Lester and others with whatever needed to be done in the livestock barns. The kids successfully completed in several events for many years in the 4-H horse Show and Open Horse Show.
Lester split his time between combing and working at the fair with Carol and the kids, but he always made sure he attended the cattle shows and the horse showing events. He helped during 4-H weigh-in, supported the livestock sales, cleaned barns, and hauled animals to the butcher shops for the kids and their families.
In 1982, Carol was encouraged by friends and family to enter the Central Montana Ranch Wife Competition at the Fair. It entailed milking a goat, plucking a chicken, identifying grains, backing a tractor and trailer into a parking space, and making a meal. She made a delicious meal of fresh taters and peas in a cream sauce and BBQ ribs, beating six other competitors for the Ranch Wife title.
Rodeo was also in the family blood
In the 1990's Lester and Carol began entering their mule teams in the driving team competitions. They both drove the teams winning several championships at the Central Montana Fair over the years with their beautiful mules. Lester won titles for the Light Unicorn Hitch, Light 4-H Horse Drat Hitch (mules), and Draft Mule Hitch. Carol, also a champion, won the Ladies Light Team Hitch in 1992 and 1994. Lester received the Best Teamster Award more than once.
In 1994, Levi and Lari entered the Central Montana Fair Rodeo in the newly constructed facility. Lari won the Bull Riding with a 76-point ride and Levi, after 4 re-rides, spilt the Saddle Bronc with a 75.
Sadly, on March 17, 1996 Lari died tragically in a bull riding accident in Camrose, Alberta, Canada. In 2015, Lester and Carol donated the new bucking chutes to the Central Montanan Fair Rodeo Arena in memory and in honor of their beloved son.
The Sluggetts have been actively involved in the events and promotion of the 4-H, Open Horse Show, Rodeos, and the Central Montana Fair for over 48 years. They have committed their time, finances, and energy for an incredibly long-time span to ensure that the Central Montana Fair is a success and enjoyed by all who attend. Lester and Carol Sluggett are your Central Montana Fair Person of the year, a title to add to their long list of titles and accomplishments. Our hats are off to you, Lester and Carol Sluggett, the 2021 Central Montana Fair Persons of the Year!
