Festive fair food, children’s activities, a virtual cornucopia of animals, and entertainment acts galore await attendees of this year’s Clallam County Fair.

Now in its 103rd year, the fair at 1608 W. 16th St. in Port Angeles looks to capitalize on its theme of “Celebrate the Bounty of Our County” for a four-day fest slated for Aug. 15-18.

The fair is open 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. the first three days and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday, when it culminates with the ever-popular demolition derby.

In between, check out the barn buildings full of livestock and other animals, the county’s top fruit, vegetable and flora, photography, games, live music, a carnival, grandstand events and much more.

Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell / Crowds pack the carnival at the Clallam County Fair in 2023.

Adult ticket prices are $10 per day or $30 for a pass, while students (ages 13-17) are $8/$24, youths (6-12) are $7/$15 and those 5 and younger (with an adult) get in free, as do seniors 80 and older. Adults 65-79 are $8/$24 and active military or veterans are $7/$21.

Parking is free, and those interested can get a reserved parking space for a fee.

Attendees are asked to not bring pets, (other than assistance animals), rollerblades and skateboard, bicycles, illegal drugs, marijuana or alcohol.

For more information, visit clallamcountywa.gov/fairgrounds.

On the big stage

Many fair grandstand favorites are back this year, kicked off by the draft horse show at 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16. Belgians Percherons and Clydesdales demonstrate their skills while pulling logs and carts.

At 11 a.m. on Saturday, the Pro Logging Show features loggers from throughout the Pacific Northwest demonstrating their skills with axes, saws and more.

Set over two days — starting at 6 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday — the annual rodeo offers bull riding, team roping, bronco riding, zany clowns and more.

Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell / Jacob Phillips of Chiloquin, Ore., looks to stay aboard Nightwatch at the Clallam County Fair rodeo in 2023.

Check out car-crunching action as the Demolition Derby caps the grandstand festivities and fair activities in general, starting at 4 p.m. on Sunday. (Note: A $20 ticket, in addition to fair admission, is required for the demo derby; get your pass at the fair’s west entrance near the BMX track.)

Beer garden returns

The Clallam County Fair will again host a beer garden after last year’s garden received positive feedback.

Clallam County’s Parks, Fair and Facilities Director Donald Crawford said bringing the beer garden back “was an easy decision.”

“It was successful, there were no incidents, the public acted responsibly [and] the provider did a great job and was compliant with the state liquor laws and county policy.”

The Juan de Fuca Foundation for the Arts (JFFA) will run the beer garden again. The venue will be on the east side of the grandstands with a “pretty good view” of the rodeo according to Kari Chance, executive director of JFFA. There will be straw bundles for sitting, or people can bring their own chairs.

The beer garden will open 5 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday and close about one hour after the rodeo ends.

File photo by Dave Logan/for Olympic Peninsula News Group / The demolition derby wows the crowd at the 2023 Clallam County Fair.

For the kids

Along with the carnival, there are plenty of activities to keep the children busy at the Clallam County Fair.

All-day activities from Thursday through Sunday include the Strait Foam Fun, Sequim Robotics demos, laser tag, miniature golf, “stryder” bikes and intermittent performances from Cap’n Arrr.

Theme contest

Got a good idea for next year’s fair theme? Organizers encourage community members to participate in the 205 Fair Theme Contest.

Get the contest rules and form at any entrance or the fair’s information booth to enter submissions.

Winner receive $100 and two fair season passes for 2025.

Royalty

This year’s fair royalty court is represented by queen Brooklyn McKnight, and princesses Olivia Ostlund, Tish Hamilton and Aliya Gillett.

FIle photo by Keith Thorpe/Olympic Peninsula News Group / Clallam County Fair royalty, from left, Princess Aliya Gillett of Forks, Princess Tish Hamilton of Port Angeles, Queen Brooklyn McKnight of Port Angeles and Princess Olivia Ostlund of Sequim, ride on their float on Thursday in Port Angeles.

Vice president of her freshman class, McKnight — a 15-year-old freshman at Port Angeles High School — is involved in bowling, and track and field at school, and her hobbies are writing, drawing and singing. Her platform is Olympic Peninsula Humane Society and her hope it to bring awareness for the compassion of animals and education for the benefit of the animals.

Ostlund is an 18year-old and Class of 2024 Sequim High School graduate. She was Clallam County Fair Princess 2023. An Ambassador in Girl Scouts, Ostlund plans to show rabbits or goats as an SHS FFA team member. Her platform is The Boys & Girls Club of America.

Hamilton is a 15-year-old freshman at Port Angeles High. She is a cheerleader with the Port Angeles High School Cheer Club, and participates in DECA as well as PAHS orchestra. Her platform is her local food bank.

Gillett a 16-year-old Junior at Forks High School and a Running Start Student at Peninsula College. She is active in her high school soccer, drama club, band, and track and field. Her platform is her local food bank.

Fair hours

• Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 15-17 — 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. (buildings open at 9 a.m.); carnival noon-9 p.m.

• Sunday, Aug. 18 — 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; carnival noon-7 p.m.

Admission

Seniors (80+) — Free

Senior citizens (65-79) — $8 daily, $24 fair pass

Adults (18-64) — $10 daily, $30 fair pass

Active military/veteran — $7 daily, $21 fair pass

Students (13-17) — $8 daily, $24 fair pass

Youths (6-12) — $7 daily, $15 fair pass

5 and younger (accompanied by adult) — Free

* — On Kids Day (Thursday, Aug. 15), children 12 and younger get in free

File photo by Keith Thorpe/Olympic Peninsula News Group / Jeff Lee of Vancouver, Washington, controls a pair of draft horses during a power pulling demonstration on Friday in the grandstand arena at the Clallam County Fair in 2023.

Live entertainment schedule

• Sunny Farms Center Stage

Thursday, Aug. 15

10-10:30 a.m. — Opening ceremony

Noon-1 p.m. — Indecisive Solo

1 p.m. — Five Acres. Sound Waves Marimbas

3:15-4 p.m. — Secords

5-5:45 p.m. — Days of Eljah

6 p.m. — Farm Family of the Year announced

7-8 p.m. — Bread & Gravy Duo

Friday, Aug. 16

11-11:30 a.m. — Olympic Peninsula Ukulele Strummers

5-6 p.m. — Chez Jazz

7-8 p.m. — Chez Jazz

Saturday, Aug. 17

11 a.m.-1 p.m. — Dean & The Persuaders

1:30-2:30 p.m. — Buttercup Lane

2:45-3:30 p.m. — Shula Azhar Belly Dancing

4-6 p.m. — Nick & The Underdawgs

6-7 p.m. — Juan de Fuca Harmony Barbershop

8-9 p.m. — Indecisive Duo

Sunday, Aug. 18

8:30-9 a.m. — Cowboy Church

11 a.m.-noon — Buck Ellard

1-2 p.m. — Hawaii Amore

4:30-5:30 p.m. — Simonson Bag of Bones

• Wilder Stage

Thursday, Aug. 15

12:30-3 p.m.- Bread & Gravy and the Harmony Hunny Buns

4-5 p.m. — Buck Ellard Band

7:30-9 p.m. — Victims of Love (Eagles tribute)

Friday Aug. 16

Noon-2 p.m. — Stardust Big Band

2:30-3:30 p.m. — Michelle Lambert Band

4-5 p.m. — Triple ‘s Band

5:30-6:30 p.m. — Michelle Lambert Band

7:30-9 p.m. — Infinity Project (Journey tribute)

Saturday, Aug. 16

10-11 a.m. — The Happy Soles Line Dancing

Noon-1 p.m. — Echo

2-3 p.m. — Minutes to Midnight

3:30-5 p.m. — Black Diamond Junction

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Whiskey River (Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute)

Sunday, Aug. 18

11 a.m-12:30 p.m. — Queens & Aces

2-3 p.m. — Indecisive Band

5-7 p.m — Supernostalgic