Debit and credit cards now accepted at main entrance gate
OKANOGAN – Along with the time-honored traditions of exhibits of everything from canned beets to market steers, fry bread and other good things to eat and the carnival rides, there’s a lot of new things to see at the Okanogan County Fair which starts Thursday, Sept. 6 and runs through Sunday, Sept. 9.
First of all, the fair will accept debit and credit cards for the first time, according to Maurice Goodall with the fair board. All first-time entry will be at one main gate and after that people can come and go through any of the gates as long as they have their fair wristband, Goodall said.
“There are several new things, Thursday is kids’ day and we have a Birds of Prey exhibit and the Girl Scouts will be showing how to make Slime,” said Goodall.
“There will also be mutton bustin’ on an arena on the grass that has been all ‘padded-up’ for the kids. In fact the Wool Busters will be there all four days, with a little rodeo and mutton bustin’ up to three different times on Thursday.”
He said the PUD demonstration will also be going on Thursday and the FFA will be having tractor driving. The Davis Shows Northwest Carnival opens at 3 p.m. The Bamboozle Magic Show also takes place all day, according to Goodall.
The Fair Queen Pageant takes place on the stage beginning at 6:30 p.m. (see stories on Queen Callie and candidate Menze). And, in addition to the Travl’n Opry and other music throughout the day, Scott Krippayne takes the stage at 7:30 p.m.
“He’s a Christian singer and he’s got a lot of songs out there. Listening to him I realize I’ve heard some of his songs on the radio. He’s well known and I hope he gathers a crowd,” said Goodall.
On Friday Bamboozle and Travl’n Opry are back, as is the PUD Demonstration. Then at noon the comedy and singing team of Stoddard and Cole take the stage.
“If you haven’t heard of them you should look them up on YouTube,” recommends Goodall.
At 1 p.m. there will be a GPS Map and Compass Workshop starting behind the stage (bring your own GPS or one will be provided).
Also new for this year will he a Tractor and Truck Pull at the grandstands. It’s sponsored by Sawyer and Sawyer of Tonasket Tractor and Truck Pull fame.
“It’s for local entry and open to whomever wants to come down and show their muscle,” Goodall said. “We’re having a sled built just for the event.”
The Market Livestock Sale begins at 3 p.m.
That evening, Stoddard and Cole return and open for the band Good For You with Lonnie and Theresa Good.
There’s more Travl’n Opry and Bamboozle Magic on Saturday, as well as Mutton Bustin’, which is followed by a Greased Pig Scramble. Another chance to check out the GPS Map and Compass Workshop, and of course the horse races, which begin at 1 p.m.
Stoddard and Cole open for Night Riders who will perform for the dance on Saturday night.
“If everything works out right we will have a pie eating contest Saturday and an old car, truck and tractor parade and show,” said Goodall. “And we will have the Tractor and Truck Pull on Saturday, as well.”
Sunday, there will be the FHA Hay Bale Flop Contest at 9 a.m., Cowboy Church at 9:30 p.m. The Parade of Champions takes place at 10.m. and the Fair Queen Coronation between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. when the fair closes.
Many of the events take place over all or several days, check out the schedule in last week’s Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune Fair Tab to find start times for events and exhibits.
