Mooooving Back To The ‘50s Interstate Fair Bebops Back To Classic Fair Years
School is back in session. Everyone’s vacation time has long since been used up. And Labor Day was five days ago.
Summer’s over, right?
Wrong.
In Spokane, the summer season doesn’t officially give way to fall until the Spokane Interstate Fair draws to a close. Which means we have 10 days left as the fair opens today and continues through Sunday, Sept. 15.
The Spokane Interstate Fair, now in its 45th year, will be attended by some 300,000 people this year.
And, with a theme of “Bee-Bop-A-Moo-Moo,” this year’s fair looks to the ‘50s and ‘60s.
Every day, the fair opens its gates at 8:30 a.m. Most attractions close down by 10:30 p.m. However, the carnival will be open for business until midnight.
In keeping with tradition, the Spokane Interstate Fair offers hundreds of attractions that range from agricultural shows, judging events and demonstrations to concerts, food booths and the rodeo.
Fairs are not only about drawing the community together. They’re also where farmers and livestock owners conduct business. If you’ve never sat in on livestock or poultry judging before, make a point to do it this year. You might learn a thing or two about cows and chickens.
Speaking of learning, the fair has stepped up its educations exhibits for a second year. In one day, you can learn how to churn butter, fabricate rope, thresh wheat, oil paint and make pickles. (Consult the fair schedule for dates and times.)
If you plan to visit the animal exhibits, check the schedule, as most animals will only be at the fair on certain days. For instance, those fluffy bunnies don’t arrive until Tuesday, replacing the chickens and other poultry.
On the entertainment side, the fair returns with another ambitious lineup. Headline acts include comedian Gallagher, oldies performers the Kingsmen, the Shirelles, Mark Lindsay, classic rockers Creedence Clearwater Revisited, country stars Toby Keith and Tracy Lawrence, and “Weird Al” Yankovic. All these acts will perform in the Grandstand Arena.
The rodeo, sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, will kick up dust in the Grandstand Arena Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 15.
What’s a fair without a carnival? The Rainier Shows Carnival returns to the fair, opening today at 3 p.m. The fun-packed spectacle opens weekdays at 3 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. It closes nightly at midnight.
If you buy tickets in advance, admission to the fair is $5, $4 for seniors 65 and older and kids ages 12-17, $2 for children 6-11. Children 5 and under are admitted free. Those tickets are available at all G&B outlets. At the gate, fair prices are $7, $5 for seniors and kids and $3 for children 6-11.
Be warned: If you plan to attend the fair on the weekends, keep in mind those days are going to have the highest attendance. If you want to avoid scuttling through crowds and lines, make plans to go to the fair during the day on weekdays.
Parking at the fairgrounds this year is free.
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