1″Like every year, the fair stays much the same,” Bill McIntire said. “But this year we have some nice upgrades to the grounds.”
The fair — which runs today through Sunday at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds at 4907 Landes St., Port Townsend — received a federal grant to repair and upgrade the grandstands, and local community groups have installed new facilities such as a new announcer’s booth and concessions area.
Gates open every day at 8 a.m., with tickets on sale and schedules available. The buildings and ground open at 10 a.m. each day. The fair closes at 10 p.m. tonight and Saturday, with buildings closing at 9 p.m., and at 6 p.m. Sunday.
The upgraded grandstands will be the arena for the Washington State Draft Horse pulls at 3 p.m. Saturday, and the 4-by-4 mud drags at 11 a.m. Sunday.
In line with this year’s theme, “Bee Dazzled,” bee-themed seminars and learning displays will be presented about one of the smallest food-producing species in Jefferson County.
Along with the demonstrations celebrating the bee, there will be a contest to collect bee facts scattered throughout the fair. Everyone who plays will receive a prize, with a grand-prize winner receiving something special. Game pieces can be picked up from the fair’s Main Office.
Community barbecues are planned at noon Saturday and Sunday.
McIntire said he believed the big draws this year would be the small animal barn, where baby chicks and ducklings were still hatching, and the Saturday afternoon show at 1 p.m. featuring musical acts The Gothard Sisters and Tiller’s Folly.
Also in the entertainment lineup is Dynamik, a rock band from Seattle.
Other entertainment will include Troy “T Bone” Lucas, juggler Paul Isaak, Dukes of Dabob and Brandon Cash.
Also scheduled are a variety of 4-H/FFA shows, special cat and dog exhibits and several horticulture demonstrations.
McIntire and his wife, Sue McIntire, who is fair board treasurer, have spent the last month preparing for what is Bill’s eighth year as president.
“I’ve been doing this for eight years now, and Sue has been involved in making the fair happen for 12,” McIntire said.
“But even before that, we were involved. Sue has done this since she was a kid, and I did this for 25 years as a member of the fire department putting on the barbecue.
“You think it would get easier, but it never seems to. It’s always crunch time in that last week.”
McIntire said he has had about 100 volunteers helping out from “daylight to dark” to prepare for the fair.
And as they prepare for another 15,000 visitors this year, McIntire said he needs every one of them to pull off the event.
“They are all great,” he said. They’ve been here non-stop, working to get it going.”
“It’s all coming down to the last few days to get it ready,” McIntire said.
“But we get there every year, and we will again this time around.”
Admission to the fair is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and students and $2 for children 6 to 12 years old. Children 5 and under are admitted free.
All performances are included in the gate fee.
Tickets are $10 for Saturday’s salmon barbecue and $8 for Sunday’s beef barbecue.
A three-day season ticket, which includes the Sunday barbecue, is $15 at the gate.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@ peninsuladailynews.com.
