Bonner County Fair's trophy case expands

SANDPOINT — The Bonner County Fair cleaned up at the recent International Association of Fairs & Expos awards banquet in Las Vegas.

The fair received five first-place, two second-place and three third-place awards from IAFE. The fair won first-place for:

• Overall program for competitive agricultural exhibitors

• Overall program for commercial agricultural vendors

• Consumer awareness for agricultural environment

• Non-fair agricultural event or program

• Program designed to correct an issue or problem related to a competitive or non-competitive agricultural program

The fair also won the prestigious John Deere Award of Excellence Grand Sweepstakes, rating it the top overall in five divisions and tops among fairs throughout the U.S. and in eight countries.

Bonner County commissioners say the event’s success and the viability of the fairgrounds is due in large part to Rhonda Livingstone, the county’s fair and facility manager.

“She’s done some amazing things,” said Commissioner Glen Bailey. “We want her to get some recognition.”

Bailey said Livingstone sailed through the Institute of Fair Management’s four-year program in two years and graduated with honors and has attended countless summits, seminars, conventions and workshops to advance her skills and knowledge.

That dedication has paid off handsomely. Bailey said facility usage is up 65 percent and fair attendance is up 50 percent.

The fair, rodeo and Timberfest used to be the main attractions at the fairgrounds, but it now plays hosts to demolition derbies, skijoring, motocross exhibitions, indoor soccer and scores of other events and activities.

“Now, every weekend there’s something going on at the fairgrounds,” said Gail Curless, a member of the Bonner County Fair Board.

Livingstone’s drive for perfection is contagious, Curless said.

“She’s always makes everybody reach to do better,” she said.

With the accolades piling up, Livingstone is routinely hit up for advice on pulling off a successful fair.

“She keeps getting phone calls from people asking how we do it,” said Bailey.

Livingstone said her approach is to make the fair an irreplaceable event where community ties bond.

“Together, we continue to build bridges and relevance into our community. The more relatable we are, the better positioning we have during the tough times,” she said.

Livingstone adds that community members collectively are the heart of what makes the fair unique, inclusive, diverse and dynamic.

“The awards Bonner County collected at the IAFE convention in December should be attributed to the people of Bonner County, the fair board, junior advisory board, fair staff, superintendents, volunteers, sponsors, 4-Hers, local organizations and fairgoers,” she said. “They are the genuine winners.”