Robbins aims to make fair bigger, better

Amy Robbins has been in love with the fair since she was a child. Now that she’s been named the new Bonner County Fair manager, she can’t wait to make the fair bigger and better than ever.

Robbins was hired in May to fill the vacant fair manager position. Having moved from the plains of Montana – over a 10-hour drive – she said she’s excited to be back in the mountains once again.

“I love the mountains,” she said. “I really love photography. I go on a lot of walks with my Boston Terrier. I love horses.”

Since she was little, Robbins said she has loved everything about the fair, from being in 4-H to the carnivals to participating in numerous rodeos. That love has not dissipated as she has gotten older, either. Robbins started working at fairs as a volunteer when she was an adult, and those volunteer positions slowly evolved into paying ones.

“I was lucky enough to get a job as the events coordinator for the Montana State Fair in Great Falls,” she said. “That’s a very large fair in Montana and that was a great experience.”

Following her time at the state fair, Robbins began working at the Last Chance Stampede and Fair in Helena, Montana, as the new events planner, which she also loved. Now, after a few years spent away from the hustle and bustle of fair activities, the new fair manager said she’s excited to be back in it, and just in time for the 2023 fair, too.

“It’s been really busy,” Robbins said. “There’s a lot of work to do; the fair is just two months away now. So we’re gearing up and our focus is going to be in that direction until that’s over. Then we can regroup and get ready for next year.”

Robbins said she is so thankful for all the community support she feels she – as well as the fairgrounds in general – has already received since moving to the community.

The new fair manager said her number one goal after preparing for this year’s fair – which will be held Aug. 16-19 – will be planning for improvements to the fair facilities. In addition to most of the buildings needing major improvements, Robbins said she is working with the rodeo committee on ways staff can update the rodeo arena as well.

“I feel like my goal is always to make it better than I found it,” she said. “To grow the events, to add more events; you know, think outside the box. New events that can come in that maybe someone hasn’t thought of. The fairgrounds are a great community place to gather and I just want to make things bigger and better.”