2018 Clallam County Fair

When: Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 16-19

Where: Clallam County Fairgrounds, 1608 W. 16th St., Port Angeles

Includes: Live music, livestock exhibits, food and crafts vendors, carnival rides, rodeo, demolition derby, various exhibits, more

Gates, building hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Aug. 16-18; 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Aug. 19

Carnival hours: Noon-10 p.m., Aug. 16-18; Noon-7 p.m., Aug. 19

Admission (day pass): $8 adults, $6 senior citizens (62+) and students (13-17), $5 children (6-12), free for youths 0-5

Admission (season): $24 adults, $13 senior citizens (62+) and students (13-17), $12 children (6-12), free for youths 0-5

Admission, demolition derby: $15, does not include fair admission

On the web: www.clallam.net/Fair

More info: 360-417-2551

Slip on your cowboy boots, open your elephant ears, and ready yourself for another year at the Clallam County Fair.

Tradition remains king as vendors stock up on sweet and fried foods, animals fill the barns, musicians take to the stages, and rides zig-zag in the Port Angeles skyline from Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 16-19 at the fairgrounds, 1608 W. 16th St., next to William R. Fairchild International Airport.

For Cheryl Martin, fair superintendent for the home arts, and hobby craft barns, the fair remains about the people.

“I really enjoy the connection with the community,” she said.

“It’s always fun to see what people bring in, and it’s always different.”

That can include anything from a replica miniature hunting cabin to taxidermy to jams to Lego sculptures.

“Obviously, you never know what you’re going to get,” Martin said. “People get so excited seeing a ribbon and sharing that experience with their families, too.”

Shari Ioffrida, fair manager, said this is the 99th year for the fair running non-consecutively under the tagline “Paws on Parade.”

So visitors can expect plenty of animals to see and pet.

Ioffrida said more than 400 children across the county in 4H, FFA and other programs exhibit animals at the fair. For the entire fair, she said about 1,400 people exhibit throughout the fair, including close to 900 youths, bringing in more than 6,000 exhibits.

The horse barns should be fairly full, said LaDona Wilson, fair horse barn superintendent, with upwards of 65 horses on display from children and adults.

Wilson said the fair culminates each year as an opportunity to see children achieve their goals and improve as riders and animal owners.

“These kids and their parents work so hard to do this,” she said.

“Sometimes they have a hard ride and may not get the ribbon they wanted. But you get to watch these kids become leaders and handle disappointment. Fair means growth and change for them.”

One key part of the fair is the Junior Livestock auction at noon on Saturday in the sheep/swine area, where many FFA/4H children sell their animals in hopes to pay for more agricultural projects and schooling.

Kids’ Day

A large portion of the fair is dedicated to entertainment for children, including Thursday’s Kids Day.

Children 12 and under receive free entry through 6 p.m. on the fair’s opening day.

In the Kidzone, Cap’n Arr, a free pirate-themed variety show, runs Thursday-Saturday every two hours from 1-7 p.m. A fire trailer returns along with Peninsula College. For a fee, children can ride horses, climb a rock wall and/or bungee jump.

That day Vikki Gasko, a magical ventriloquist, performs from 3-7 p.m. on the Sunny Farms Stage with repeat shows on Friday and Saturday.

Jet City Extreme Motocross returns for shows throughout Thursday and Friday at the grandstands with shows in the afternoon and evening depending on wind, Ioffrida said.

Carnival wristbands remain on sale for unlimited rides at the fair through Wednesday, Aug. 15, for $30 at multiple locations, including Dungeness Kids Co. and Kaboom Salon in Sequim; and Swain’s General Store, Higher Grounds, Just Rewards Espresso, Wilder Auto Center, Strait View Credit Union, and the Clallam County Fair Office in Port Angeles.

More to offer

Ioffrida said each year she’s always excited about the different entertainment options. This year features

dozens of acts, such as Storm Rider, a Doors tribute band, at 6 and 8 p.m. Friday, and Good Co., an electro swing band at 6 and 8 p.m. Thursday both on the Wilder Auto Community Stage.

Plenty of local talent from Sequim performs at the Sunny Farms Center Stage throughout the weekend, too, including the Sequim City Band at 10 a.m. Thursday for the opening ceremony; Sound Waves Marimba band 1 p.m. Thursday; Aspire Academy 2 p.m. Saturday; Tom and Liam Taylor 11:30 a.m. Sunday; and many more.

The fair’s eighth annual Variety and Talent Show features 10 performers vying for $350 in cash prizes at 2 pm. Sunday, Aug. 19.

Some of the other mainstays at the fair’s grandstands, include the Logging Show at noon on Saturday; the Rodeo at 5 p.m. Saturday, and noon Sunday; and the Demolition Derby at 5 p.m. Sunday. For the derby, $15 tickets go on sale Sunday, Aug. 19, that morning outside the yellow gate starting at 9 a.m. Admission to the fair must be purchased for the event.

More details

The Clallam County Fair operates under Clallam County’s Parks, Fair and Facilities Department with an approximate $380,000 budget for year-round operations in 2018.

Organizers for next year’s 100th non-consecutive year for the fair seek a theme with a chance to win $100, two fair season passes next year, and two fair T-shirts with the theme. Find rules and entry forms at the fair’s information booth.

For more information on the Clallam County Fair, visit www.clallam.net/fair and/or call 360-417-2551.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.

Liz Barrett of Joyce works on a rooster taxidermy at the Clallam County Fair last year. She’s worked in the art form for 7-plus years now. Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash

Adlee Roening of Port Angeles pets Izzy the dog at the 2017 Clallam County Fair. This year’s theme focuses on animals with “Paws on Parade.” Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash