Palouse Empire Fair opens Thursday

The Palouse Empire Fair will open Thursday with the annual senior’s pancake breakfast 8-10 a.m. at the event center of the fairgrounds, 322 Fairgrounds Road, west of Colfax.

Ron and Barb Wachter of Pullman will be recognized as the fair family for their contributions to the remodel of the event center during the fair’s opening ceremonies, which start at 10 a.m. Thursday.

Thursday’s events will mostly include 4-H and FFA judging activities, and carnival rides will run 4-9 p.m. The Palouse Project will perform 5:30-7 p.m.

Friday will start off with the Palouse Empire Fair Scholarship Program breakfast burrito fundraiser 8-10 a.m. at the event center. The scholarship program is slated for 6 p.m. at the event center. The six entrants are Haley Clausen of Pullman; Kaylie Dyas and Destiny Marsh of St. John; and Abbie Miller, Emma Neu and Sara Whelchel, all of Colfax.

Friday night’s action will include the Palouse Empire Rodeo program, which is marking its 50th anniversary. Past royalty are slated to appear in the program, and Aliya Dunlap of Pullman will compete as the lone contestant for the rodeo crown. Rodeo activities will be held 7-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1-3 p.m. Sunday.

Hypnotist Jerry Harris will perform at the fair gazebo at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Saturday will start with the Shriners breakfast 8-10 a.m., and FFA and 4-H activities will continue throughout the day. Headliner Tone Sober will perform Saturday at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Sunday will open with a Relay for Life breakfast 8-10 a.m.

The presentation of champions for 4-H and FFA is slated for noon at the gazebo.

The fair will close at 4 p.m. Sunday

Admission is $17 for an adult four-day pass, $7 for a youth four-day pass, $8 for an adult one-day pass, $5 for a youth one-day pass, $7 for a senior (55 and older) and $25 for a Friday family-day pass. The cost for carnival rides is separate.