Bonner County Fair kicks off the fun today

SANDPOINT — Goats and sheep and pigs, oh my!

All the critters will be on hand as the Bonner County Fair kicks in earnest at 10 a.m. today, Aug. 13, after vendors, 4-H clubs and a host of volunteers spent the day Monday putting the finishing touches of getting this year's fair ready for the community.

This year's fair officially opens to the public at 10 a.m. today with a flag-raising ceremony, setting off a week of activities, critters and fun — and a celebration of the community's country roots.

"We are so fortunate to have such great community members that help us and we're able to build relationships," Taylor Hill, Bonner County Fair event coordinator, said. "I think what makes our fair special is that we were strong in our roots, from the generations of family and friends that have lived here, and that's what makes our fair, what it is today."

The theme of this year's fair is "Country Roots and Cowboy Boots."

County officials welcomed community residents and visitors alike to the annual event, inviting all to come out and attend the Bonner County Fair, which runs from Aug. 13 to 17, at the fairgrounds, 4203 N. Boyer Road.

"We gladly welcome you and invite you to enjoy the experience of Bonner County, its people, its rural character, and its great agricultural traditions," Bonner County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw said in a fair book statement. "The Bonner County Fair is an important part of our community, our youth, and our future. The Bonner County Fair has a lasting tradition of honoring the old and promoting the new."

Fellow commissioners agreed, with Commissioner Asia Williams noting that from elephant ears to animal projects, the fair is deeply rooted in the community.

"The Bonner County Fair continues to be an integral part of our history and traditions," agreed Commission Chair Luke Omodt.

The fair is packed with plenty of family-friendly fun and activities, celebrating the community's roots and rural lifestyle.

An inflatable play zone has been set up for youngsters and Kari's Kritterz will feature everything from ponies to llamas to rabbits and everything in between. Unfortunately, there will be no pony ride booth this year. Pippi the Clown will be wandering the fairgrounds near the food court to delight the young and young at heart, and Circus Luminescence will be performing from noon to 5 p.m. today as will magician Dan Paulus.

A host of fun events are planned, including Wednesday's Extreme Bronc Riding event, complete with bull poker, mutton busting and barrel racing; Thursday's Octane Addictions event, an extreme freestyle dirt bike competition; Friday's Summer Nights concert featuring country musician Shane Proffit; and Saturday's Demolition Derby, an action-packed evening of fast driving and fun.

Other events taking place at the fair include ranch sorting, which has teams attempting to sort as many cattle as possible in 90 seconds from one side of a pen to another in numerical order.

On Saturday, 4-H'ers' hard work will be rewarded at the Market Animal Sale, which begins at 9 a.m. at the indoor arena. Everything from chickens to swine to cattle are auctioned off at the annual event with up to several hundred animals being sold.

"The Market Animal Sale supports a lot of kids in our community who work hard on their 4-H projects," Hill said, noting that it's also a lot of fun to watch.

Tractor drivers can put their skills to the test at 3 p.m. Friday and folks wanting to give Joey Chestnut a run for his money can try their hand at an ice cream-eating or pie-eating contest. 

If you have a beard that's the envy of your friends, you'll want to enter the "Best Beard" contest being held at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16. However, if your locks are more "business in the front and party in the back," there's a "Best Mullet" contest at 3 p.m. Saturday.

With only parking to pay for, the Bonner County Fair is a cost-friendly and family-friendly event and officials have worked hard to keep the community feel to the fair, Hill said. Parking is $3 for the day or $10 for the week and half of the money raised goes to the high school groups staffing the gates and the other half goes to scholarships. There is no entry fee to attend the fair itself.

Hill, who was raised in the area, grew up taking part in the fair, including several animal projects. She always wanted to be a part of the fair when she grew up and said she is thankful to be a part of the Bonner County Fair as an adult.

Along with new fair manager Mark Knapp, Hill and the rest of the fairgrounds staff and board members, crews have worked hard to make this year's fair one of the best yet. And while circumstances meant a bit of a late start, Hill said fair officials are already planning on fun things they can do in the future to share the fair with even more people and hold even more contests and competitions.

"We want people to know that we welcome them with open arms, and we welcome their thoughts and their dreams for their fairgrounds, and we want to acknowledge that," Hill said. "We love to hear what community members have to say because that's who we're serving and we just want to do the best that we can for our community."

Information: bonnercountyfair.com