Fun and fair fare, it's all there
LOREN BENOIT/Press Courtney Harbaugh and her market goat, Eddie, play on a patch of grass outside the Jacklin Building prior to judging at the North Idaho State Fair on Wednesday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.
COEUR d’ALENE — Vocal pigs made their presence known among a frenzy of 4-H kids in the Jacklin Building, while across the Kootenai County Fairgrounds a cheerful man on stilts made balloon animals for ecstatic children.
Carnival workers hung stuffed animal prizes inside game booths as they prepared for the day. Merchants displayed their wares for the masses, the mouth-watering aroma of fresh corn dogs and french fries tantalized noses and bubbles began to drift from Uncle Curly's Funtastic Kids Zone.
"I love horses and all the fair animals, the rides," said 11-year-old Emma Singleton, who helped cut the ribbon during the North Idaho State Fair's grand opening ceremony. "I love the North Idaho Fair. It’s my favorite big event."
The North Idaho State Fair officially opened Wednesday morning, inviting families and friends throughout the region and beyond to enjoy a multitude of attractions, entertainment and more.
"I like the thing that has two seats that goes up that you spin around in," said Crimson Nielsen, 6, of Coeur d'Alene, describing one of her favorite rides.
The midway is packed with amusement park rides for all ages, including the Bear Affair, the Orient Express and the classic carousel.
Local talent is on display in the exhibit halls, which brim with projects, plants and critters across the board.
"The fair is all about community, 4-H and seeing what our neighbors can do," fair board chairman Jerry Johnson said during the opening ceremony. "I hope you take advantage of that.”
Interactive fun is sprinkled throughout the fairgrounds, including spin art, a play area and Action Entertainment Remote Control Racing.
The remote control racing is new to the fair this year and free to try. The racetrack is set up in the southeast area of the fairgrounds under a checkered tent.
“This is something the whole family can do,” said Andy Smith, who owns and operates Action Entertainment of Billings. "A lot of times the kids will start it and the dads will come over to ‘help.’ The next thing you know we’ve got six dads up here racing each other."
The 4-H kids are also busy this week, working to keep their animals in check while keeping them groomed and pleasant for potential buyers.
Cierra Spatz, 18, of Blanchard, is showing her pig with her 4-H Club, the Muddy Rascals. It's her first year working with swine, and she's already learned a lot.
"Mine ran right through a lady’s legs today,” she said, giggling. "She was taking pictures and it went right through her legs."
Bonnie Knopp of the Tri-Cities laughed as she watched grandchildren play in the kids zone. She has grandkids who participate in 4-H and comes to the North Idaho State Fair just about every year. She said it's a great community event because it hasn't grown to be the size of fairs in bigger cities.
"I love this fair because it is small," she said. "It's just the right size."
The fair continues today when gates open at 10 a.m.