PORT TOWNSEND — The three-day Jefferson County Fair, which opens today, provides a place to celebrate the rural aspects that make the county special, said a fair manager.
“It’s a place where folks can come to feel comfortable and safe,” said Sue McIntire, who co-manages the annual event with her husband, Bill McIntire.
“They can come here for the whole day and not worry about the kids doing something. They can just relax.”
The fair will be open at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 4907 Landes St., from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Fair admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors 65 and older, $6 for students age 13-17, $2 for children age 6 to 12 and free for kids 5 and younger. Military service members and family receive a $1 discount.
Three-day passes are $17 and include a Sunday beef barbecue.
McIntire hopes the fair will draw about 13,000 people this year.
The most popular events are:
■ The Draft Horse Pulls at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the horse arena.
■ The Kid’s Demo Derby at 7 p.m. Saturday on the track.
■ Barrel Racing at 10 a.m. Sunday in the horse arena.
■ 4×4 Mud Drags at 11 a.m. Sunday on the track.
■ Break Away Roping at 1 p.m. Sunday in the horse arena, followed by Team Roping at 2:30 p.m.
More than 400 exhibitors will show off livestock. The fair has added rabbit and pig competitions this year.
While there will be plenty of food vendors, elephant ears and ice cream, the big treats will be the $10 salmon barbecue from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday and the $8 beef barbecue from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Children’s activities, such as the walk-on-water ride and the Greatest Show On Dirt, take place all three days.
The fair has added a partnership with the Port Townsend Film Festival.
“Both the Jefferson County Fair and the Port Townsend Film Festival are part of the local cultural landscape,” said Janette Force, the festival’s executive director.
“They don’t always connect, so we want to cross-pollinate them,”
The festival has set up a 25-seat theater in the Yesteryear Building that will present a continual 35-minute program of six family-friendly short films.
The fair, Force said, needs to be experienced.
“You just have to get out there,” she said. “You have to get yourself a corn dog and walk through those barns and remember that we are a beautiful little rural community.”
Music is planned all three days on the Small Stage.
Tonight’s lineup will culminate with Lobo del Mar’s international music and dance show at 6 p.m.
Troy “T-Bone” Lucas will perform all three days. Solo artist Larry Jones will play today and Saturday. The Powerhouse Band and country-rocker Dylan Jakobsen will perform today only.
Also performing Saturday will be Lace and Lead, the Missy G Band and the Dukes of Dabob.
On Sunday will be the Luck of the Draw, the Olson Brothers Band and the Tracie Marsh Band.
The draw can be fun and games and food, but it is also a relaxing place for people to get information.
“This gives us a presence and allows people to interact with the fire department in a nonstressful way,” said Bill Beezley, East Jefferson Fire-Rescue spokesman, of the department’s safety displays.
An art show will feature 400 entries — painting, sculpture and photography — from Jefferson County residents.
“Art is a critical part of this community, and this is one of the few things in the fair where all people can participate,” said Bob Gray, who is managing the exhibit.
McIntire said the fair is “always in the black” but also always in need of more attendees and volunteers.
Anyone who wants to volunteer Sunday and Monday to help clean up can stop by the fair office.
For show times, check the gate schedule at www.jeffcofairgrounds.com.
For more information, phone 360-385-1013.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
