‘Summer’s Best Party’ is celebrating the Sounds of Summer Aug. 2-11
RIDGEFIELD — The 151st edition of the Clark County Fair is set for Aug. 2-11, and the Clark County Fair Association has created a lineup of features including the all-new Bug-o-logy, motorcycle racing, music on two stages, new entertainers, the first-ever Brewfest, parades each Friday at 1 p.m., and more. In addition, fairgoers can expect all the carnival rides, fair food, family fun and animals that have long been a staple of “Summer’s Best Party’’ in Clark County.
Throughout the fair, area residents can visit the Clark County Fair website for updates and schedules: www.clarkcofair.com.
Discount tickets can be purchased online at clarkcofair.com. The list of consignment ticket locations can be found at participating Southwest Washington Fred Meyer stores, People’s Community Federal Credit Union branches, and Wilco Farm Stores on our website. To buy reserved VIP seats for the Your Party Center Grandstand Concert Series featuring Carly Pearce and guest Matt Stell, KC and the Sunshine Band, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Randy Houser – go to clarkcofair.com. You can also sit for free in the grandstands during the concerts.
Those looking to save some money while visiting the Fair can check out the new Summer’s Best Boostrbook! The Fair has partnered with Clark County Live! to offer this digital coupon book that contains over 50 offers provided by vendors and sponsors. This offering is available online at clarkcofair.com at a cost of $9.
Motorsports action will take place at the ERS Grandstand, and the Kid’s Park will be filled with plenty of activities and contests. The Community Stage will feature free around-the-clock musical entertainment – including the Washington State Fiddle Championships on Sat., Aug 3 and Sun., Aug. 4. The Clark County Fair will welcome back Butler Amusements and Summer’s Best Carnival supported by CW32. Cows, horses, goats, llamas, sheep, and chickens will be on display as well. Go to the clarkcofair.com website for all the information, including schedules, entertainment, exhibits and grandstand events.
2019 Clark County Fair hours
Fri., Aug. 2 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
(Fred Meyer Free Pancake Breakfast – Friday,
Aug. 2, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Breakfast ends promptly at 11 a.m. (free entry ends at noon, no exceptions). Valid only with Free Entry Voucher available at SW Washington Fred Meyer locations for a limited time and while supplies last.)
Sat., Aug. 3 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sun.–Thurs., Aug. 4 thru 8 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 9 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 10 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 11 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission & discounts
Fairgoers should remember to buy your tickets early and save. Advance discount tickets and packages are available online or visit the fair website to find the list of consignment ticket locations, including participating Fred Meyer stores (in Clark County), People’s Community Federal Credit Union branches and Wilco Farm Stores. All discount pricing ends at close of business Thu., Aug. 1 with all consignment locations (hours may vary per location) and end of day (Aug. 1) online (a surcharge applies to online orders). To purchase advance tickets to the Fair and ride wristbands go to www.clarkcofair.com
- $9 in advance for adults and $11.25 regular price
- $7 in advance for seniors 62-and-over and $9.25 regular price
- $6 in advance for children 7-12 and $8.25 regular price, children 6 and under are free
- $6 Parking (cash only at gate, not available in advance online or at consignment locations)
More online savings
- Carnival All-Day Ride Wristband: $30 if purchased in advance by Aug. 1. Regular price is $35.
- Summer Sizzle Pack: $79 for two adult admissions, two youth admissions (ages 7-12), two all-day ride wristbands – available online only until Aug. 1.
- Fabulous Four Pack: $25 ($3.50 service fee) two adult admission and two youth admission (ages 7-12)
Your Party Center Concert Series
The Clark County Fair has the musical artists with the Sounds of Summer bringing classic rock and kicking country, all live at the ERS Grandstand. Offered are four concerts for four nights of music, all part of the Your Party Center Concert Series. Grandstand concerts are free with a paid Fair admission and close-to-stage VIP reserved seating is available for $20-$30 (includes Fair admission and reserved seats) at www.clarkcofair.com.
Concerts at the ERS Grandstand include (all start times are 7 p.m.):
Fri., Aug. 2
Carly Pearce with guest Matt Stell
Sat., Aug. 3
KC and the Sunshine Band
Sun., Aug. 4
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Mon., Aug. 5
Randy House
More ERS Grandstand activities
Other activities, all free with a paid Fair admission, include:
Tue., Aug. 6
Mutton Bustin’ at 2 p.m. and Hell on Hooves Rodeo at 7 p.m.
Wed., Aug. 7
Demolition Derby at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Thu., Aug. 8
Moto Tuff Extreme at 1 p.m. (qualifiers) and 7 p.m. (finals).
Fri., Aug. 9 & Sat., Aug 10
Tuff Trucks at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 11
Monster Trucks at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Main features for the 2019 Clark County Fair
BUG-O-LOGY: Look for the all-new Bug-O-logy Exhibit in the feature area. This is an all-day attraction for the entire 10-day run of Fair. Bug-O-logy will feature large scale animatronic/robotic bugs, live bugs, a butterfly feeding garden and a bug bar featuring a “STEM” based learning experience. This is a hands-on adventure with creatures such as grasshoppers, tarantulas, butterflies, walking stick bugs, ladybugs, and more.
DockDogs: The World’s Premier Canine Aquatics Competition is set to return to the Clark County Fair. If you’ve never seen a “Big Air” competition this is your chance to see one of the most popular pooch/human sports in the world today. Best of all, anyone can enter. To register, go to www.DockDogs.com. This SW Washington-sanctioned event is part of the National Sportsmen’s Series. DockDogs was established in 2000 to promote a nationally recognized competitive aquatic-based sport with the rules of track-and-field long jump … but for dogs. The Clark County Fair has been chosen to host a qualifier for DockDogs again this year and dozens are expected to enter.
You must register your dog through www.DockDogs.com, and pay the entrance fee. There are three events you can enter: Big Air, Extreme Vertical and Speed Retrieve. Each registered dog is assigned a time slot on a specific day, and you must enter through the blue gate only at the Clark County Fair. At competition time, the dog must run down a 40-foot long dock and leap (long jump) into the pool or compete in the Vertical or Retrieve events. The judges measure the distance or height and the top finishers receive prizes, a national ranking and even a possible invitation to the DockDogs National Championship Series.
First ever BrewFest
For two days during the Clark County Fair, the first annual BrewFest will be held with plenty of local breweries participating. The BrewFest will happen Aug. 6-7 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. adjacent to the ERS Grandstand. The cost is $15 to enter or $25 if you want to buy Fair Admission in advance with BrewFest entry. Tickets can be found at www.ClarkCOFair.com. Additionally, the Clark County Fair will have its own Lager.
The Clark County Fair Parade (each Friday)
Each Friday at 1 p.m., the Clark County Fair will present a parade. Fairgoers can see all their favorite entertainers, Fair participants, and special guests along with some surprises and all the pageantry you’d expect.
Strolling and state entertainment
The Clark County Fair is known for its fun midway, strolling acts and crazy antics and fun features and this year is expected to be no different. Back for their third year, Washington State Fiddle Championships are being held at the Fair. See the best of the best in the fine art of fiddle playing. Check the website for schedules. Also new this year, will be Fables of the West – a silly and fun act at the Fair Thursday through Sunday only. Those who love thrilling tricks, stunts and amazing bike finesse, then see the BMX Pros Trick Team performing three times daily down at the west end. Also new to the Fair, see Mango & Dango Aug. 2-7.
Jerry Harris Master Hypnotist will be on the Community Stage nightly getting participants to dance like a chicken, fall asleep at will, and act silly in front of hundreds. See Penelope the Clown as she entertains children with a combination of juggling, magic, and audience participation. Children and adults alike just might laugh along with her as she leads the crowd in interactive performances.
Witness Eric Haines, the One-Man Band. Haines creates a classic one-man band experience with bass drum, banjo, bells and whistles everywhere. He can be found along the midway. And meet Master Juggler Paul Isaak, who will juggle flaming torches, machetes, and just about anything he can find.
Fairgoers will have the chance to see Adam the Great (resident magician and comedian) as attempts to thrill and amaze from stage and midway daily. Jest In Time will also perform their juggling, unicycle and stilt-walking performances throughout the day, plus visitors can go to the Family Fun Stage inside the Kid’s Park.
The Fair will also feature the strolling ensemble, The Harbor Patrol Jazz Band. These gentlemen have been an enduring entertainment fixture at the Fair for the past 24 years. The group will perform daily.
Main Hall Marketplace
The Clark County Exhibition Hall Marketplace will be open, air-conditioned and filled with exhibits, vendors, and bargains galore to provide shopping opportunities for the whole family. Each year, dozens of retailers and organizations participate in the marketplace, and visitors can also see the 150th Anniversary Quilting Contest.
- Visit the Commercial Vendors Marketplace – featuring the latest in kitchen gadgets, clothing, garden implements, home improvement products, and just about any product and service you can imagine.
- See Community & Still Exhibits – hobbies, crafts, foods, floral, photography displays, quilting, food preservation, baking and 4-H exhibits.
- See the latest in equipment, implements and high-tech gadgets.
Also, the Red Cross Blood Drive will happen on Tue., Aug. 6 in the Exhibition Hall from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Royalty reigns for 2019
The 2019 Clark County Equestrian Fair Court will be on-site during the run of the Clark County Fair. Fairgoers can say “hello” to the official ambassadors and get a picture. On Sun., Aug. 11, the 2020 court will be named.
Queen Sarah Snyder is a La Center High School graduate and former Running Start student. She was a member of her high school equestrian team, captain of her drill team and won the District 2 high point performance award. She is a member of 4H and the American Paint Horse Association. When she is not with her horses, she enjoys reading, hiking, photography and spending time with friends and family. She plans on finishing her Associate’s Degree at Clark College and then intends to transfer to Middle Tennessee State University to study criminal justice.
Princess Rachel Sherrell is a 2018 graduate of La Center High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She also attended Running Start at Clark College and was on the Presidential Honor Roll. She participated on her high school equestrian team, earning high point performance award in 2017 and reserve high point performance award in 2018. She is a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and the Appaloosa Horse Club. She enjoys participating in 4-H, playing guitar, juggling, hiking, riding atv’s and volunteering at Legacy Hospital. Her future plans are to wrap up her Associate’s Degree at Clark College and attend nursing school.
Princess Rebecca Merrill is a 4-H member and enjoys many aspects of being around horses, from training and showing, to trail riding and barrel racing. She spends time volunteering at a memory care center with her dog. In the future, she plans to attend Clark College and transfer to Washington State University Vancouver to become a veterinary technician.
Fun at the Bee Barn
Fairgoers can stop by the Bee Barn to learn about important pollinators and makers of honey and also meet American Honey Queen Hannah Sjostrom, the 21-year-old daughter of Douglas and Kim Sjostrom of Maiden Rock, WI. Hannah is a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, studying nursing. She plans to spend her nursing career in an oncology unit. She is a third generation beekeeper, following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather, Edwin. As the 2019 American Honey Queen, Hannah serves as a national spokesperson on behalf of the American Beekeeping Federation, a trade organization representing beekeepers and honey producers throughout the United States. The American Honey Queen and Princess speak and promote in venues nationwide.
Fun in the country
What’s a county fair without hundreds of animals, blue ribbons and apple pies? For many, the real reason to visit the Clark County Fair is to see all kinds of great projects produced by local kids and teens.
- Head, Heart, Hands and Health are the four H’s in 4-H, and they are the four values on display during the run of the Clark County Fair through programs and activities. Look for science displays, breeding programs, kitchen activities, animal judging contests and other activities.
- The National FFA Organization also provides a variety of animal programs and projects.
Take a ride, get a ride
Visit the Clark County Fair Carnival produced by Butler Amusements. As always, there will be dozens of rides throughout the fairgrounds and, of course, no trip to the Fair is complete without a ride on the Giant Ferris Wheel. Go to www.clarkcofair.com for a complete listing of rides and ride requirements.
Fairgoers can drop their shopping treasure or carnival winnings by the People’s Community Federal Credit Union package-handling booth located inside the Marketplace Lobby. Fairgoers can also consider taking public transportation this year to the Fair and to be eco-responsible. Save money when you take C-TRAN! The round-trip fare is free from the (5) main transfer stations, and riders can get a $1 discount off full-price Fair Gate Admission when they present a bus transfer coupon at the Fair ticket booth. Beginning Fri., Aug. 2, through Sun., Aug. 11, C-TRAN provides shuttle service to the Clark County Fair from the following locations. Visit https://www.c-tran.com for up-to-date schedules.
• 99th Street Transit Center at Stockford Village
• Fisher’s Landing Transit Center
• Battle Ground-north of Community Center
• Ridgefield and La Center Park & Rides
• Vancouver Mall (upper lot, by JC Penney)
The last bus departs the Fairgrounds at 11 p.m., each evening. Visit the C-TRAN website at www.c-tran.com for Fair shuttle schedules and any changes.
Special event days
Fri., Aug. 2
Opening Day – Free Fred Meyer Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Breakfast service will end 11 a.m. Free Entry Voucher (available at SW Washington Fred Meyer locations for a limited time). Free admission until noon with voucher. Parade at 1 p.m.
Sat., Aug 3
Battle of the bands winner from the inaugural fourth at the Fairgrounds will perform prior to KC and the Sunshine Band. Check website for time and details.
Mon., Aug. 5
Family Day – Admission $6.25 for kids ages 7 to 12; kids 6 and under are free.
Tue., Aug. 6
Military Appreciation Day – Gate admission price $7.25 per person for current and past military. Must show identification. Uniformed Service Members are admitted free.
Wed., Aug. 7
Prime of Your Life Day – will feature special events and stage acts. Senior admission is $7.25 (62 years of age and older).
Thu., Aug. 8
Kids’ Day – Admission $6.25 for kids 7 to 12 – kids 6 and under are free.
Fri., Aug. 9
Parade at 1 p.m. on Midway.
Contests at the Community Stage
Visit www.ClarkCoFair.com to sign up for a contest or for rules, regulations, dates and times, and some contests you sign up for at the event.
Watermelon Eating — The object of this contest is to eat half of a watermelon without using your hands. The contestant to clear the “pink” of the watermelon down to the rind wins.
Hot Dog Eating — Come with an empty stomach and see who will win the title of Hot Dog Eating Champ.
Cheeseburger Eating Contest – The first team of four that eats 10 cheeseburgers is the winner.
Pie Eating Contest — The object of this contest is to eat a single pie as fast as possible without using your hands. The contestant who finishes their pie first, within the allotted time, will be the winner.
Winners get bragging rights and gift packages worth over $300.
Other contests
Pretty Baby Contest – Is your baby the prettiest baby in Clark County? Enter your baby up to 18 months old in this contest to find out.
Diaper Derby – The Diaper Derby is a fun-filled event for crawling children under the age of 16 months.
Toddler Trot – How fast can your tot trot? There will be several rounds of races for toddlers ages 1-4. Finalists compete for a grand prize.
Passport to fun
Passport to Fun is designed for children ages 2-12 years of age.
Activity categories include hands-on guessing games and lots of fun facts and information about agriculture, animals and more. Ten stamps and you are entered into a grand prize drawing.
Just look for the “Play Passport To Fun Here” signs to begin the adventure.
Visit www.ClarkCoFair.com for all Fair information, updates and changes.
wpDiscuz
