Fairgrounds ready for 10 days of tradition at the North Idaho State Fair

COEUR d'ALENE — The North Idaho State Fair was more than a week away as Alexcia Jordan walked at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds on a sunny afternoon. 

The general manager and CEO watched as a man passed by on his way to the fair office with an entry for the fair. In one building, quilt judging was going on. In another, they were setting up art and photographs. A minute later, a woman rode by on an ATV and asked Jordan how she was doing. 

“Just talking,” Jordan answered with a smile 

She looked around. A few flags fluttered in the wind. The lawn was neat and trimmed. The sign at the food court named this year’s vendors, including the Knights of Columbus and their famous burgers. 

A piece of litter bounced along the ground, so Jordan picked it up. 

“This is one of my favorite days of the year, when entries come in and we’re seeing what people make,” she said. 

After more than a year of planning, preparation and hard work, it’s coming together. 

“Now you get to watch all the puzzle pieces fall into place,” Jordan said. “Things come to life.” 

The 102nd North Idaho State Fair runs 10 days, from Aug. 16-25. Last year it attracted about 168,000 visitors and this year, will be looking to top the attendance record of 174,000. 

Jordan, in her 10th year at the helm, credits a small staff of less than 15, around 600 volunteers, and a loyal following for its success. 

“We've been moving right along. I feel like we’re on target,” she said. 

The fair will have its traditional lineup, including a rodeo, concerts, food, games, rides, 4-H kids and critters, a hypnotist, and exhibits of old and new. 

Jordan is particularly excited about new acts including the Extreme Dogs Stunt Dog Show; Sara Twister, who shoots a bow and arrow with her feet; the Silver Starlets, aerial acrobatics; and the Major League Circus Show. 

“I think everyone is really going to enjoy this year’s fair,” Jordan said. 

The Kootenai County Fairgrounds is more than fun and games and family traditions. It’s an important part of the area’s economy. 

According to a report prepared by Crossroads Consulting and released earlier this year, the fairgrounds attracted more than 288,600 visits in 2022, generated $30 million in total economic output, supported 260 jobs and contributed $9.7 million in labor income. 

It also found that it generated $2 million in local and state tax revenues in 2022, “further enhancing the quality of life for residents of Kootenai County and the state of Idaho.” 

The study found that $1.57 was generated for every $1 of direct spending associated with overall fairground operations in 2022. 

“This activity generated significant economic benefits to the local and state economies,” the study said. 

Of the yearly events at the fairgrounds, the North Idaho State Fair is the granddaddy of them all. 

“I think what people love about it is nostalgia,” Jordan said. “If you’re a kid and you’ve never come before, it’s fun and exciting.” 

It’s a time when parents bring their kids and remember when they were kids and attended the fair with mom, dad and grandpa and grandma. 

“It just brings back memories we cherish,” Jordan said. 

Wendy Sienknecht and Donna Gibson echo that comment. The friends are veteran fair judges, with more than two decades of experience. They were one of two pairs of ladies recently judging more than 100 quilts entered in the fair. 

They admire the craftsmanship and attention to detail of a quilt they roll out. 

“Great choice of fabric,” Sienknecht said. 

“It’s very striking,” Gibson said. 

Sienknecht said they always try to say something good. 

“Otherwise, they don’t want to come back. We want them to come back. This is a great fair,” she said.  

Gibson offers another perspective. 

“Criticize just a little bit to make them better for next time,” she said.

The ladies said while they have long loved judging quilts, this is their final year. 

“It’s time for new eyes,” Sienknecht said. 

When Jordan hears this, she is a bit dismayed. 

“You can’t leave,” she said. 

Gibson smiles. 

“We love the fair. We’ll still be around,” she said. 

In the art and photography building, longtime superintendents Ken and Elaine Cook are in the early process of arranging photographs, with many laid out on a table. 

The two were selected for this year’s Fair Person of the Year award. 

“I couldn’t think of two more deserving people,” Jordan said.  

“It never fails on my worst day to come to this building, and I feel better. It’s such a beautiful thing,” Jordan continued. “You guys have owned it and done any impossible task I’ve asked.” 

The Cooks have forever displayed a positive attitude that is infectious, she added. They don’t even mind that the roof on their building leaks when it rains. Ken points to red circles on the floor. 

“Don't stand on them if it’s raining,” he said, laughing. 

Ken Cook is glad to do what he can for the fair. 

“I love it," he said. 

Elaine Cook, raised in the tiny town of Hay, Wash., said the North Idaho State Fair reminds her of home. 

“It's the fair the way fairs should be,” she said. 

Jordan knows how fairs should be. 

Her mom, Rhonda Livingstone, was the general manager of the Bonner County Fair for 16 years, so Jordan grew up showing sheep and steer, riding horses, competing in rodeos and was a rodeo queen. 

“I never imagined this would be my career. It's so much more than a career,” she said. “I don’t know how it happened, but I’m so blessed that it did.” 

Rhonda Livingstone died in 2019. Jordan misses her. 

“I hope I serve her memory well by what I do here,” she said.  

Jordan and her team put in long hours, some days starting at 6 a.m. and ending at midnight, but there are no complaints because they know why they do it. 

“Everyone loves the fair,” Jordan said. “Why wouldn’t you? It’s so much fun. We’re trying to just bring joy. Why wouldn’t you want to get dressed and go to work?” 

    Wendy Sienknecht and Donna Gibson judge a quilt entry for the North Idaho State Fair.
  

    Elaine Cook smiles during a set-up day for the North Idaho State Fair.
  

    Ken and Elaine Cook received the Fair Person of the Year award for the North Idaho State Fair.