Fair fetes 'Bounty of the County'

SANDPOINT — There is plenty of bounty to go around in Bonner County, which was the cornerstone for this year’s fair theme of “Bounty of the County.”

“Bonner County isn’t just known for huckleberries or industry — we have a lake, we have a ski hill, we have the farmers ... we have a lot for being a small county,” said Darcey Smith, Bonner County Fair director.

The theme for the 92nd annual Bonner County Fair was chosen by a member of the fair’s social media community, after a call was put out to the public to help with ideas for the theme. The fair board liked and selected “Bounty of the County” from the many ideas, because Bonner County is known for so many different things, Smith said.

“They wanted to celebrate the bounty that we have.”

The main exhibit building will be decorated in the spirit of the theme, and will open to the public at 10 a.m., Aug. 21-23, and 9 a.m. on Aug. 24. Various 4-H events will be held throughout each day of the fair, with the market animal scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 24. Other entertainment each day includes Cecil the Magician, who has performed at the fair in the past and is returning this year to entertain the fairgoers, as well as the traditional greased pig scramble, the Little Folks Horse Show, swine and bovine costume contests, cupcake wars, the World’s Smallest Rodeo and more. One of the new additions this year, Smith said, is a “Young Guns” wild west fun park, which will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The park is a free, interactive play area geared toward children, however Smith said adults can play as well. It features a “Jailhouse Rock” music area, an “OK Corral” ring toss, a “Sasparilla Saloon” bean bag toss, a quick draw experience and more.

The evening of Aug. 22 will feature entertainment with the four country music sisters of Redhead Express at 7:30 p.m. Smith said it is one of the final concerts the band will play as Redhead Express.

A barrel racing competition on Aug. 19 will determine who will compete for the title during the Challenge of Champions event. The challenge begins at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 23, in the outdoor arena. The fair will close out Saturday night with the demolition derby, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

For information or tickets to events, visit bonnercountyfair.com. Fair books with full schedules can be found at various locations around town as well. There is no entry fee to the fair, however there is a charge for parking, as well as for events such as Redhead Express, Challenge of Champions and the demolition derby.

Smith said half of the $3 parking fee has always, and will continue to, go to the student groups that help out with parking at the fair each year. The other half of the parking fee, however, has historically gone toward building maintenance. This year, Smith said she proposed a different option to the board members, who approved putting the fair’s 50 percent into its scholarship fund.

“So all of the funds go back to the kiddos,” Smith said.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.