Revved up for the fair
LOREN BENOIT/Press 2018 X-Games bronze medalist Willie Elam performs a backflip while riding a snowmobile at Freestyle FAIRstyle Tuesday night at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.
21 time X-Games medalist Nate Adams performs a trick at Freestyle FAIRstyle Tuesday night at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
X-Games medalist Chris Foster lands a trick safely on a giant landing airbag at Freestyle FAIRstyle Tuesday night at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.(LOREN BENOIT/Press)
VIP goers watch 21 time X-Games medalist Nate Adams perform a trick at Freestyle FAIRstyle Tuesday night at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
LOREN BENOIT/Press 5-time X-Games medalist Brett Turcotte performs a trick at Freestyle FAIRstyle Tuesday night at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.
By DEVIN WEEKS
Staff Writer
COEUR d’ALENE — The North Idaho State Fair kick-started fair week on Tuesday evening, and it began in the most Idaho way — with a man back-flipping a snowmobile over a monster truck.
"I have never seen a snowmobile like that," said Daytona Neff of Coeur d'Alene, who watched the spectacle while standing near the Findlay Arena.
"It had me on the edge of my seat," said Neff's friend, Chris Paulson, also of Coeur d'Alene. "It was crazy."
Neff and Paulson weren't the only ones who reacted to the jaw-dropping Freestyle FAIRstyle show put on by Octane Addictions the eve of the North Idaho State Fair.
The crowded grandstands filled with cheers and applause as five X-Games pros took turns propelling themselves over the monster truck and onto a giant landing airbag, sometimes letting go of their motocross bikes completely as they hovered in the air, other times rotating, performing handstands or throwing in a Captain Morgan knee pose.
The fearless five were 21-time X-Games medalist Nate Adams, two-time gold medalist Brett Turcotte, 11-time X-Games competitor and 2018 bronze medalist Willie Elam (the snowmobile jumper), X-Games athlete Kyle Demelo and silver medalist Kris Foster.
The high-octane pre-fair show also marked the first time the North Idaho State Fair has commenced festivities prior to the traditional Wednesday opening.
"There have been a lot of requests from people who miss the motocross," said fair general manager Alexcia Jordan. "We thought we'd open a night early and bring that motocross big air show here and see how it goes.
"It's one way to kick off the fair."
Jordan said this show is just a taste of the "wow" people can expect to experience this year. While staying true to many age-old fair traditions, Jordan said some new attractions and embellished favorites are in store.
"Almost every aspect of the fair, whether it's a grounds attraction and layout or if it's how our rodeo and arena events happen, we've tried to take each piece of it and turn it into something a little different and more exciting," she said. "I hope that no matter who you bring in your family, they're going to find something they're wowed by. We've put a lot of effort into trying to make sure all our fairgoers find something that speaks to them."
Competitive exhibits, live music, magic, acrobatic high-divers, animals, carnival rides, pogo stunts, pig racing, a demolition derby, professional rodeo, Wild West outlaws and so much more will be found at this year's fair, which has the theme of "Barn in the USA."
"We want to continue that traditional feel and at the same time give you some wow so you say, 'I wonder what they're going to do next year," Jordan said.
Gates open today at 10 a.m. The North Idaho State Fair is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets at the gate are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and youth age 6 to 12 and free for kids 5 and younger. Parking is $5 per car per day, but $15 five-day parking passes are available.