The fair awakens

COEUR d’ALENE — Today is opening day of the North Idaho State Fair, where fairgoers will have an out-of-this-world experience.

Along with the many exciting activities, rides and exhibits, attendees will see "Star Wars" references and décor sprinkled throughout the grounds, reflecting the this year's theme of "May the Fair Be with You."

"We stumbled across it and one of us said, ‘May the fair be with you,’ and we just went out of control," fair general manager Alexcia Jordan said Tuesday. "It's our job to educate the public about agriculture, and to do so, we need to invite people who aren't already involved in agriculture. We thought, 'What can a theme be that's really fun that can grasp more of Coeur d'Alene, more of North Idaho and everybody around us?"

Whether sci-fi enthusiast, agricultural ace or somewhere in between, North Idaho State Fair guests will be taking a trip to the fun side.

Featured attractions include the fearless "America's Got Talent" sword-swallower Dan Meyer, the rockin' hypnosis show of Tyzen, the energetic comedy drumming of RePercussion, the enchanting stilt walkers of Animal Cracker Conspiracy and the high-flying antics of the Wenatchee Youth Circus.

Grandstand entertainment commences this evening with country music star Darryl Worley and rising star Charley Jenkins followed by the fair's annual fireworks show.

The exhilarating Gem State Stampede PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) Xtreme Bulls bull riding takes place Thursday evening in the Findlay Arena, with the Gem State Stampede PRCA Rodeo continuing Friday through Sunday. This is the rodeo's 31st year as a PRCA event.

“It is a pretty great PRCA rodeo from our area,” Jordan said. "It draws people from the (National Finals Rodeo) every single year, which is really exciting."

The fair offers several up-close-and-personal animal appreciation opportunities. In the Butterfly Encounter, guests can learn about those winged wonders while interacting with them. The petting zoo has also returned, as have the many 4-H exhibits of swine, steer, sheep and other livestock that area youths have been working all year to present to judges and the public.

“The fair is a reward after a long year’s worth of hard work. Being able to learn dedication and how to take care of an animal teaches you everything," said Dylan Bair, 18, who is presenting a steer as his final 4-H project after 12 years in the Prairie Wranglers 4-H Club.

"The fair is really rewarding," he said. "The last day it’s super sad when we walk away from the trailer with just our halters because we drop our steers off, but it's definitely worth it in the end. It teaches you so much."

More than 30 food vendors and nearly 200 merchants and artisans are on site with an array of fair fare and wares. And the exhibit halls are filled with thousands of entries ranging from flowers and photography to quilting and culinary creations.

"I love all the people that come together and make it all work out. It takes a lot of hands," said Karen Hubbs, superintendent of the creative youth building in Building 7. "It’s just that small-town community feel."

The fair wouldn't be complete without the carnival. About 35 rides, provided by Northstar Amusements, will be swirling and spinning at the southwest corner of the fairgrounds. Northstar owner Bret McKenney said seven new rides have joined the lineup, including the Orient Express roller coaster.

"It’s 90 feet long, got a spiral track, it’s pretty popular with the kids,” he said. “And it’s all ages, the adults can ride with the kids. That’s one of the reasons we bought it.”

Other highlights of this year's fair include a children's puppet theater, Uncle Curly's Funtastic Kid Zone, a dance zone, a community stage, train rides, a 4-H small animal sale and the fan-favorite demolition derby finale that closes the fair on Sunday.

Even a Wookie is sure to be impressed.