PORT ANGELES — The smell of cotton candy, rodeo excitement, horse pulls, homespun exhibits and animal shows galore take center stage when the Clallam County Fair kicks off this week.
The fair starts Thursday and runs through Sunday, featuring bands, rides, arts, hobbies and more than 130 food and commercial vendors.
Thursday and Saturday are expected to be the busiest days, said Fair Manager Sandy Bailey.
On Thursday, kids 12 and under receive free admission until 6 p.m.
The draft horse pull highlights Thursday’s entertainment at the grandstand. The pull begins at 6:30 p.m. and is free with fair admission.
Singer Hal Ketchum, who broke onto the country and western scene with his first No. 1 hit “Small Town Saturday Night,” is this year’s headliner. Ketchum performs at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday at the grandstand.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Northwest Professional Rodeo Association cowpokes rodeo at 1 p.m. in front of the main grandstand.
Organizers say the annual Logging Show will be bigger and better than last year.
Beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, the show includes the Wasankari Antique Tractor parade and competitions for axe throwing, bucking and axe chop.
The demolition derby starts at 7 p.m. Sunday.
Several entertainers will be wandering the grounds, including Leapin’ Louie, who walks on stilts and performs rope tricks and juggling.
Hypnotist Mike Mezmer performs on the Sunny Farms Country Store Center Stage twice each day.
His son, Wesley, a budding ventriloquist, will be roaming the fair with his monkey, Chips.
At the Clallam County Historical Society’s Wasankari cabin, check out blacksmith Mojave John, who will perform daily demonstrations. The cabin is located near the yellow gate.
And a trip to the fair isn’t complete without catching the 4-H animal shows featuring everything from horses and swine to llamas and cats.
New this year among vendors is a rock climbing wall for all ages, Bailey said.
There will be a carnival featuring exciting rides. People can purchase one-price tickets for $15 through today at locations in Port Angeles, Sequim, Forks and Clallam Bay and at the fair office.
This is the second year the fair board is running the fair kitchen, where local restaurants cook dinner and all proceeds go toward fairgrounds improvements, Bailey said.
Bushwhacker Restaurant will cook meatloaf on Thursday, Michael’s Divine Dining is serving up meat or vegetarian lasagna Friday, and the Port Angeles CrabHouse restaurant will provide salmon Saturday.
If you want to leave the car at home, take the bus. Clallam Transit’s routes 24-Cherry Hill and 26-Westside serve the fairgrounds regularly, with a Saturday service schedule.
Clallam Transit System will have an information booth and display at the fair near the west gate to assist people needing transportation.
For more information on bus service to the fair, call 360-451-4511 or 800-858-3747.
Admission to the fair costs $7.50 daily for adults 18 and older, or $20 for a four-day pass; $5.50 daily for senior citizens 62 and older, or $13 for a four-day pass; $5.50 daily for students 13 to 17 years old or $13 for a four-day pass; and $4.50 daily for youths 6 to 12 years old or $11 for a four-day pass. Children under 5 with an adult are free. Kids 12 and under are free Thursday.
For information about the Clallam County Fair, call the fair office at 360-417-2551.
