2014 Clallam County Fair
‘Race Ewe to the Fair’
Where: Clallam County Fairgrounds, 1608 W. 16th St., Port Angeles
Fair hours: Gates, 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 14-17; close at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18
Buildings: Open 10 a.m. daily
Carnival: opens at noon daily
More info: clallam.net/Fair or call 417-2551
The art is up, the 4-H animals are primped and the fair is on.
The Clallam County Fair returns Aug. 14-17 with all of your favorite fair food, carnival rides and events.
Officials are optimistic that the fair will continue its rebound from a slight decrease in attendance two years ago.
“The trend nationwide is that people are going to their fairs,” said Fair Manager Shari Ioffrida.
“The fair is a place where Clallam County residents can bring all of their exhibits in, quilts they worked on and agricultural items that they’ve grown. It’s a place to come and have a gathering and bring their items in and take pride in. I’ve heard a lot of people turn it into a reunion.”
For many, the fair is a chance to snack on scones, watch the Kiss the Pig contest and/or to seek a blue ribbon.
Earlier this week the fair accepted its entries and the submission totals were promising, Ioffrida said.
“Sunday was the first day for entries and at the end of the day all of the superintendents said entries were up,” she said.
While much of the fair sticks with its traditions, Ioffrida said they continue to add events each year.
She said they’ve added a number of new entertainers and first-timers to the fair including up-and-coming country music singer Chance McKinney at 4 and 6 p.m. Thursday on the Wilder Auto Community Stage.
At the grandstands, the fair brings in knights in shining armor battling as part of the Cavallo Equestrian Arts presents Dark Knights on Thursday and Friday at multiple times.
In the KidZone, the fair showcases the Cap’n Arrr! Pirate show at multiple performances Thursday-Saturday along with free remote control car racing from Remote Control Hobbies in Sequim.
The food court continues to expand its offerings with elk burgers, fried bread, spicy tacos and egg rolls along with shaved ice, coffee, pizza, teriyaki and more.
The Variety and Talent show enters its fourth year at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Ioffrida said typically Sunday attendance is lower but this event may be one of the reasonS it’s remained steady.
“It’s really a good lineup,” she said. “It’s growing every year.”
The biggest reminder Ioffrida stresses each year is that carnival all-you-can-ride bracelets only are available through the end of business hours today, Wednesday, Aug. 13, at several area businesses.
Purchase tickets in Sequim at the Co-Op Farm and Garden, in Port Angeles at Swain’s General Store, Wilder Auto, Higher Grounds, east and west locations, and Strait View Credit Union; also at Forks Outfitters, Washburn General Store in Neah Bay and Weel Road Deli in Clallam Bay.
The fair sells about 5,000 bracelets each year at $25 each.
All grandstand events, such as the rodeo and logging show, are included with the price of admission except for the Demolition Derby at 5 p.m. Sunday.
It costs $11 plus the fair admission with ticket sales beginning outside of the west Yellow Gate at 9 a.m.
Ioffrida said people begin lining up at 6 a.m. and the event usually sells out of its 1,600 seats.
For more information on the fair, visit clallam.net/Fair or call 417-2551.
