Relive longtime traditions of food, rides, fun at the fair

If you need one additional reason to attend the 2007 Spokane County Interstate Fair – besides carnival rides, cow-judging, elephant ears and Weird Al – how about this one:

You’ll be taking part in the Inland Northwest’s oldest and most popular entertainment tradition, stretching back more than 100 years. In those early days, farmers, orchardists, homemakers and kids – especially kids – waited all year for the fair to open. The attractions then were not so different from those today – food booths, carnival games, equipment displays and livestock competitions. In 1907, attendance was an incredible 128,480.

Last year, attendance went above 218,000. After more than a century, the fair is still drawing a crowd.

This year’s fair will include events that those early fairgoers could never imagine, with the Village People and Weird Al Yankovic topping that list. In case you missed the ‘70s, the Village People are the act which bestowed “YMCA” on the world. They dress up like bikers, construction workers, cowboys, etc.

Weird Al is the pop musical parodist who gave us such classics as “Dare to Be Stupid,” “Like a Surgeon,” “Smells Like Nirvana” and “Amish Paradise.”

Other musical acts include country great Ronnie Milsap and “American Idol” star Kellie Pickler with special guest Chris Young.

For critter-based entertainment, it’ll be hard to beat the Mutton Bustin’ competition, in which kids 6 years and younger and less than 60 pounds attempt to ride a sheep for more than six seconds.

Meanwhile, the top PRCA rodeo contestants from around the country will converge on the arena to participate in the West’s original extreme sport at the Grandstand Arena.

And for those of you who want to feel some G-forces, Butler Amusements will bring two new rides to the fair this year, Spin Out and the 90-foot-tall Super Shot. Kiddyland is also expanded.

See the listings on page D8 for details or go to www.interstatefair.org.