PORT ANGELES — The 2015 Clallam County Fair opens today (Thursday} with “Fun for the Whole Herd.”
The first day’s events for the four-day fair are opening ceremonies, mutton bustin’, animal judging, the presentation of fair royalty, a BMX show, a draft horse show and two shows by country music bands, as well as more than 150 food and commercial vendors.
The gates open at 8:30 a.m., buildings open at 10 a.m. and the carnival rides spin and loop beginning at noon at the Clallam County Fairgrounds, 1608 W. 16th St., next to Lincoln Park and William R. Fairchild International Airport.
Buildings and exhibits close at 9 p.m., and the carnival ends at 10 p.m.
Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for youths ages 13-17 and seniors 62 or older.
Thursday is Kids’ Day; children 5-12 enter free until 6 p.m., $5 after 6 p.m.
Children 5 or younger attend for free with adult admission.
Four-day passes cost $24 for adults, $13 for youths ages 13-17 and seniors 62 or older, and $12 for children 5-12.
All-day ride passes for the carnival are available for $30 in advance at the fairgrounds or community ticket vendors through 9 tonight.
The opening ceremony, featuring a performance by the Sequim City Band, will begin at 10 a.m. at the Sunny Farms Center Stage.
Fair Queen Amanda Little will be introduced at 6 p.m. at Center Stage.
Fair Princess Becky Schroefer is unable to attend the fair due to a conflict with the beginning of her college classes.
The Draft Horse Show will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at the grandstand as massive horsepower muscles its way across the ring with weighted sleds, carts and other pulling activities.
A BMX Pro Trick Team will perform at the grandstands Thursday and Friday to open the main event schedule at the grandstands.
The free 40-minute shows will begin at 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the grandstand.
Two country bands will headline the opening evening of music.
The Dylan Jakobsen Band will open at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Wilder Stage.
At age 21, Jakobsen’s route through music took him through pop rock and indie rock before settling into the band’s current mixed-genre country-rock sound.
The band’s sound features use of the harmonica and pedal steel guitar.
The Olson Brothers Band will open at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Wilder Stage.
The Olympia band won the 2013 Lake Fair Battle of the Bands and the Texaco Country Showdown, a national songwriting contest.
Lead singers and writers Luke and Isaac Olson, bassist Nate Collins and drummer Seth Bowman provide energy on stage, original music and harmonies.
The 4-H and FFA animal show classes begin at 9 a.m. in the animal barns.
Thursday’s events include dog obedience and fitting and showing, cats, poultry, goat, cattle and horse showmanship classes.
Mutton Bustin’ is making an appearance at 1:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. each day through Saturday, and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday at the KidZone.
In Mutton Bustin,’ children who weigh 55 pounds or less gear up to ride a “bucking” sheep — a traditional junior rodeo event for the youngest competitors.
Young mutton busters ride for free.
Professional photographs of each child’s ride will be available for sale. No cost was available Tuesday.
Pirate Pete, the Peninsula College mascot, will be at KidZone all day to take pictures with kids, hand out pirate loot, and provide college information for parents.
The fair will continue through Sunday with additional activities, concerts and events each day.
For more information, visit www.clallam.net/Fair.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
