‘Something For Everyone’ From Rodeo To Balloons, Fair Appeals To All Interests And All Ages

When Barbara Renner says the upcoming North Idaho Fair has “something for everyone,” it’s truly believable.

As the 14-year veteran of organizing and overseeing each year’s fair goes down the list of events, nothing gets overlooked.

Manicured grounds, half a dozen washed-and-ready buildings, 28 food booths and concessions - all stand waiting for the 75,000 visitors expected at this year’s edition of the North Idaho Fair.

Returning again this year will be some 400 volunteers representing several local civic organizations.

The Kiwanis Club members will oversee parking the rows and rows of vehicles while the Harmonizers are in charge of the information booth. The Kootenai County Amateur Radio Club is in charge of ticket-taking while the Sweet Adelines are in charge of the litter patrol.

The Coeur d’Alene High School cheerleaders and dance team will work side-by-side with Lake City High students in clearing tables.

New this year, Renner said, will be the scheduled appearance of the Great Cats of the World from the Bridgeport Nature Center in Texas.

“From what we’re told,” she said, “they arrive with a host of great cats - tigers, lions, leopards, cougars, panthers. Now the neat thing, they bring baby tigers that the kids can actually pet and feed.”

The cats will appear throughout the five days of the fair.

Also new this year is a motocross competition. Organized and presented by Motion Sports of Coeur d’Alene, the event promises to be very popular.”

Motocross racing is an organized series of jumps, hills and dips, all designed to test the ability of the cyclist. The event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Wednesday in the grandstand.

Also planned are daily appearances by hypnotist Ken Holloway, comedian Herb Dixon, and the always popular attraction, The Balloon Buffoon.

The sounds of Linder & Brock will be featured during the afternoons from the Steinley Stage. Also scheduled is a mixture of South American music from Atahualpa, and the Mica Flats Grange Band and Wind Fall Blues Band are scheduled to entertain afternoon and evening visitors to the Prudential-Acuff Northwest Stage.

The Coeurly Qs Square Dancers are scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 27). On Friday, the 6-8 p.m. time slot will feature acoustic guitarist Tim Platt and on Saturday, the Boot-Scootin Grannies will perform.

Renner has scheduled the Coeur d’Alene Country Dancers from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

The 1998 Bull Challenge starts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Professional cowboys from throughout the area will compete in the annual PRCA Rodeo, set to start at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the grandstand. The rodeo moves to 2 p.m. Saturday, followed by the North Idaho Draft Horse Pull at 7:30 p.m.

Rodeo finals are scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m., Sunday with a fender-banging demolition derby set for 4 p.m.

“And, I’m sort of saving the best for last,” Renner said, adding that “all my years with the fair I’ve tried to snag the famous Budweiser Clydesdale Horse Team.

“Well, this promises to be the year. We were contacted some time ago if we might have space to house the team, as they will be appearing elsewhere in the area, coincidently at this same time.”

“We finally got a firm commitment, that these beautiful, graceful and huge horses will be here throughout the fair except Sunday,” she said. The horses will not perform, but will be shown at the horse barn.

In keeping with the theme, “something for everyone,” what’s a fair without the animals, the kids, the flowers, the food, the festivities, everything?” Renner said. “We’re not going to let anyone down.”

Daily fair admission is $5.50 for an adult ticket, $2.00 for children age 6-12 and children under five are free.

Amusement rides and a trip through the food concessions are extra.

The North Idaho Fair is a big event for 4-H kids, culminating an entire year of planning and preparation.

“They raise their animals, do their craft projects, raise their gardens with an eye toward the fair,” Renner said. “The prizes, yes, are important. But it’s the recognition of a job well done that means so much to them, their parents, and to us.”

And it’s all on display; the knitting, leather work, forestry projects, even small engines and cake decorating, Renner said.

Again this year, Renner has scheduled Reed Williams and Inland Empire Shows for the carnival and amusement portion of the fair.

“His operation is family owned and goes back some years. He takes great pride in keeping his equipment in the best of repair and presents a clean, safe carnival.” Renner said. “Plus he’s got truly one of the best selections of kiddie rides.”

“All in all,” she continued, “I think this year’s fair again will be something for everyone to enjoy.”