Fair will begin run next week

Published 4:37 pm Thursday, April 30, 2009

By Kevin Hanson, The Courier-Herald

The activity level in and around Enumclaw will jump next week, as the King County Fair kicks off for the 141st time.

The fair - billed as the oldest county fair west of the Mississippi River - begins its five-day run on Wednesday, July 16. Organizers are sticking with a tried-and-true formula, promoting a country theme, old-fashioned values and a down-home atmosphere.

Fair hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 16, 17 and 20; things will stay open one hour later on Friday and Saturday of the fair. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors (62 and older), and $4 for kids ages 6 to 15. There are promotions every day, however, including "senior day" (free admission on July 16), "kids day" (free admission on July 17), and "family day" ($18 for the whole family on July 20).

Once inside, visitors will find everything they've come to expect in a county fair. There'll be plenty of carnival rides and games, livestock displays, exhibits and commercial vendors, along with a wide range of fair food. Special attractions include the annual Logger Rodeo at 1 p.m. on July 19 and 20, and a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-sanctioned rodeo July 18 and 19.

Again this year, organizers have booked some top-flight entertainment. Appearing will be Sawyer Brown, July 16, $29; Grand Funk Railroad, July 17, $25; Jo Dee Messina, July 18, $39; The Beatniks, July 19; and Terri Clark, July 20, $25. Concert ticket prices have gone up this year and, unlike last year, the concert area will be obscured from view; only those with a ticket will be able to see the performers. An exception is the show by Seattle band The Beatniks, which is free.

Kevin Hanson can be reached at khanson@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald