PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County Fair, which opens today and runs through Sunday, is a great place for families to go out and do something special — without spending a lot of money, says Fair Board President Bill McIntire.
McIntire expects the fair, which has the theme of “Magic in the Air,” to draw between 13,000 to 15,000 people to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 4907 Landes St., Port Townsend.
“There are a lot of people involved in making this a success,” says McIntire, who has a multigenerational connection with the fair.
Sunday barbecue
His father, along with a group of other men, created the Sunday beef barbecue which has become one of the fair’s most popular events.
This year, the cost of the barbecue is included with the season ticket, so $15 at the gate pays for admission to all three days of the fair and the Sunday meal, served from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well.
Tickets to the Sunday meal alone are $8, while a Saturday salmon barbecue, served from noon to 3 p.m., is $10.
The fair also offers several “family packs” that cover admissions for the weekend.
For instance, $35 covers 12 tickets, which means a family of four can attend for all three days.
And one lucky family member will get a plate of barbecue.
The entertainment all will be local, with an added community attraction.
‘Stars of Tomorrow’
“The Stars of Tomorrow,” sponsored by the Port Townsend Kiwanis Club, will perform at 1 p.m. Saturday on the Main Stage.
This program grew out of a high school talent competition. Coordinator Barb Trailer found an inordinate amount of talent in this year’s contestants and decided to seek more performance opportunities.
The result was the fair gig, which will present a 90-minute program that Trailer said will have something for everyone.
Rock, country, fiddle tunes and original songs are part of the mix.
Like any county fair, this weekend’s main attractions are the animals.
“Anything with four legs, or with two legs, we have here.” McIntire said.
“I’ve been doing this since I was a kid, and my daughters have picked it up,” said Julie Clouse of Port Townsend.
“This is all about community, and the kids work very hard raising these animals.
“They do it all themselves here, without any help from anyone else.
“If you have a horse at home your parents might help with the feeding every once in a while.”
Rowboat on display
In addition to the animals, the fair will include a display of the Onward, a 24-foot rowboat that was built as part of a partnership among the Northwest School of Boatbuilding, local public school districts, the Puget Sound Voyaging Society and 4-H.
The 29th annual 4X4 mud drags will start at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Large floral and vegetable displays are planned.
Several community groups and representatives of the Port Townsend Police Department will be there to meet the public.
The Northhaven Sheep Herding Demonstration will begin at 4 p.m. today and 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Main Stage.
The Kid’s Demo Derby, which promises to include plenty of vehicle banging, is on the Main Stage at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Barrel racing will be from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the Horse Arena.
Contests and activities include a Fair Facts Game and a Fun Button Collection, where participants receive more biuttons if they provide a question’s correct answer.
For more information, see www.jeffcofairgrounds.com.
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Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
