County Fair In Rockford Keeps That Country Feel

What the Spokane Interstate Fair lacked in traditional, small-town fair appeal, Rockford’s cozy Southeast Spokane County Fair will more than make up for.

The fair’s home-grown flavor has remained, despite the lure of big-money fund raisers during its 51-year history. Organizers of the 1995 version say they are offering a better, but not necessarily bigger fair.

“We’re just trying to keep it a community fair with local talent - not so commercialized,” said Erik Larson, fair vice president. “At Interstate, you can’t go anywhere without a commercial booth.”

Livestock judging on Friday morning opens the three-day fair, which winds up following Sunday evening’s awards presentation. Last year, 4,000 people flocked to the town of 500 just south of the Valley for the fair.

Fair mainstays such as bingo, a horseshoe tournament, parades, a nail-driving contest and the livestock show once again make up the backbone of events scheduled for the exhibition. Fruits, vegetables, prepared and canned food, sewing, needlework antiques and photography will also be among the items judged and viewed.

An Icelandic Horse Show will replace the 4-H horse show for the first time this year.

Carol Evans, organizer of the 16th annual Harvest Hustle Fun Run, expects about 75 runners and walkers to turn out for a race that in the past has been “hard to get 50” for. Contestants can choose the one- or three-mile course.

Although numbers are down slightly, the fourth annual Harvest Hustle Hoopfest 3-on-3 basketball tournament will also be played Saturday and Sunday. Valley Hooops, another 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and the Washington State University football game have lowered the number of participants to 228 and teams to 58. WSU is playing its Pacific-10 conference opener against nationally ranked UCLA in Pullman.

For those with a musical ear, the Ho Downers will return for another year and join bands such as the Roecks Players, Kitchen Band and Fiddlers on the Loose to provide musical entertainment. Barry Lee White and the Moonshiners will also play at the dance at the Rockford Fire Station on Saturday night. , DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: FAIR SCHEDULE Friday Fair opens, 9 a.m. Livestock Judging, 9 Fitting and Showing, noon Carnival Opens, 3 p.m.

Saturday Harvest Hustle Fun Run, 8:30 a.m. Fair opens, 9 Carnival opens, 9 Kiddie Parade, 10:15 Grand Parade, 10:30 BMX Motocross bike race, 1 p.m. Harvest Hustle Hoopfest, noon-6 Nail Driving Contest, 4 Adult Dance, 9

Sunday Harvest Hoopfest, 9 a.m. Horseshoe Tournament, 10:30 Fair opens, 11 Carnival opens, 11 Lion’s Club Bingo, noon Fashion Show, 2 p.m.