Record-breaking affair

COEUR d'ALENE — It was fun galore and much, much more.

The 10-day 2024 North Idaho State Fair wrapped on a high note Sunday, breaking records inside and outside of the rodeo arena.

The 170,882 visitors to this year's fair broke attendance records for an increase of 8% over the 2023 fair and surpassing 2022's record of 168,567 guests.

"It was a great year in so many ways," North Idaho State Fair general manager Alexcia Jordan said Tuesday. "The weather was kind to us all, volunteers went above and beyond, entries for exhibits were strong, our entertainment was top-notch. It takes a lot of moving pieces to make an event of this scale come out successfully."

The North Idaho State Fair annually hosts the Gem State Stampede, attracting more than 13,000 fans across five nights of rodeo events. The 2024 stampede featured 605 contestants from the United States, Canada and beyond. Two arena records were shattered — Darcy Kersh of Queensland, Australia. set a new steer wrestling record at 3.6 seconds and Summer Kosel of Glenham, S.D.. broke the barrel racing record with a time of 17.16 seconds.

Of the 10 Findlay Arena shows offered this year, seven were sold out. 

More than 120 different free entertainment options were found throughout the fairgrounds this season, including the Extreme Dog Show, the Silver Starlets, the Major League Circus Show, RoboCars, stilt walkers and Sara Twister as well as over 25 local bands and musicians featured on the Main Stage.

Over 160 commercial vendors were scattered throughout the grounds and 34 concessionaires offered traditional favorites, as well as new menu items. Many vendors and concessionaires were from North Idaho.

The North Idaho State Fair Youth Stock Show and Sale was a success as 292 animals were sold at an average price of $3,299 per animal, generating over $963,000 with add-ons still available for the next two weeks. Youth exhibitors from Kootenai and Shoshone counties presented 42 steers, 50 sheep, 16 rabbits, 23 poultry, 24 goats and 137 swine, all of which were sold at the event.

“This fair in particular felt very community-focused and it really felt like the community was involved and excited about being at the fair," said Elise Burton, vice chair of the North Idaho State Fair Board.

Burton closely works with the livestock programming, which was a point of pride for many this year as 4-H members and Future Farmers of America participants showed off their hard work.

"That’s always a good feeling, a good shot in the arm seeing these kids work so hard and coming to a culmination after a year of raising their animals," Burton said. "It's super awesome. We’re very blessed to have an extremely generous community. That is really evident with our stock sale and how much money goes back to the kids."

From quilts to cattle, 1,166 people submitted 6,510 entries, fetching more than $26,000 for the exhibitors, all of whom were from North Idaho.

"We received tons of positive feedback from people on our entertainment lineup this year and our exhibit buildings," Jordan said.

She said while the fair always has so much to see and do, one moment at the Music on the Midway Stage particularly stands out to her as a highlight from this season.

"I was able to sit and listen for a bit and while I was there, I watched people of all ages dancing in front of the stage, grabbing friends and family to join in the fun with them," Jordan said. "For me, those are the moments where I can see we are creating memories for others. It is a beautiful sight."

Jordan said she and her team are incredibly grateful for their relationship with Kootenai County Fire and Rescue and the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office.

"They do so much to help us create a safe and fun fair for everyone," she said.

Serena Caples, development director for the North Idaho Fair and Rodeo Foundation, said this year's fair was an exciting one for her team.

"Whether we were doing Brewfest, the cornhole tournament, bingo or working in our booth, we were able to do our favorite thing, and that is being out and involved with our community," Caples said. "Highlights were doing bingo, where we got to have a special day for seniors, as well as a day where we partnered with Make-A-Wish Idaho. Cornhole was a blast; we got to connect with so many new people. It was also very fun to have a booth this year, to bring awareness to who the Fair Foundation is and how we can support the fairgrounds and our local youth."

Many familiar faces were seen and a number of new friends were made, she said.

"On behalf of the Fair Foundation, there is no doubt we thoroughly enjoyed our 10 days at the North Idaho State Fair," Caples said.

Fair officials have announced the theme for next year: "Keeping Tradition Alive in 2025."

"We are so excited," Jordan said.

Beyond that, she said those eager to learn details will have to wait to see it unfold.

"I can say we are already hard at work to evaluate what was great this year and where we need to continue to make improvements," Jordan said.

    Smash Mouth performs Aug. 20 during the Party in the Dirt Concert Series at the North Idaho State Fair.