North Idaho State Fair a romp around the world

If the mix of entertainment seems eclectic at the North Idaho State Fair next week, that’s no accident. Fair organizers went looking for attractions representing different corners of the globe to fit the theme, “The World of Fun.”

And so, there will be kangaroos from Australia, acrobats from Africa and lumberjacks from exotic Canada. A European-style marionette theater will appeal to younger children, and a pair of circus aerialists will create a Cirque du Soleil-like vibe under the big top.

And representing the good ol’ USA will be country band Sawyer Brown in a free concert ending with fireworks on opening night, plus four days of rodeo action and the rowdy demolition derby to cap off the five-day run at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds in Coeur d’Alene.

“I’m excited to offer our community something that is a fun grouping of various cultures in one place,” said Alexcia Jordan, assistant general manager of the fairgrounds. “I think these are things that some of us may never get to take our kids to see, and here we’re trying to bring it to our little backyard here in North Idaho.”

With general admission Wednesday, fans can see headline act Sawyer Brown from 7-9 p.m. in the main arena. The band has put out 23 albums, and its top hits include “Step That Step,” “Some Girls Do” and “Thank God for You.”

“We’ve gotten so much good feedback on people excited to see Sawyer Brown,” Jordan said.

Devon Wade Band from Sandpoint will open the show.

Fans also fill the stands for the Gem State Stampede professional rodeo events, including Thursday night’s all-bull-riding showcase. The PRCA rodeo shows are next Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoon. Reserved seating in the grandstands will cost you, or grab a free seat in the bleachers.

A free draft horse show and pull is scheduled for Aug. 26 at 11 a.m. and Aug. 27 at 2 p.m. in the main arena, and the popular and noisy demolition derby is Aug. 28 at 6 p.m., with grandstand seats costing extra.

There will be plenty of other highlights and family fun spread across the fairgrounds, including:

Kangaroos, wallabies and other native Australian wildlife in three daily stage shows plus displays. This is the largest marsupial traveling exhibit in the U.S.

Zuzu African Acrobats, a troupe from Kenya, with 19 scheduled performances featuring pyramid building, limbo and contortion

Michael Dubois and Viktoria Grimmy circus variety show three times daily

European children’s theater featuring classical marionettes, hand puppets and live performers in the Puppets & Players Little Theatre

Animal Cracker Conspiracy Jungle Stilt Walkers bringing ancient art forms to life

Canadian lumberjack mini-competition with ax throwing, crosscut sawing and wood carving with chainsaws, three times daily.

Other attractions include the carnival, live music and dance performances, livestock and 4-H exhibits, a hypnotist show, kids’ pedal tractors, a daily parade and a farm-to-table park.