Clark County Fair: providing area residents with family fun

RIDGEFIELD – “Summer’s Best Party,” the annual Clark County Fair, will be back again this August for its 147th year. As always, this year’s Clark County Fair will feature a variety of entertainment, exhibits, contests, carnival rides and food, and fun for the whole family.

The 2015 Clark County Fair aims to provide entertainment and excitement that the whole family can enjoy. Featured exhibits during the fair will include Superhero Adventure, Wild About Monkeys, Sea Lion Splash, Faircon, family activities and of course the Carnival Midway. Attendees can visit the Comcast Kids Park and the Westfield Vancouver Mall Stage for children’s contests, local entertainment acts and pony rides. The Riverview Community Bank Fair Court will be on the grounds and fair goers can see a number of animals during 4-H events and the Junior Livestock Auction.

The 10-day fair event also wouldn’t be complete without a lineup of free Grandstand entertainment as well as headliner concerts for everyone to enjoy.

The fair will open Fri., Aug. 7, at 8 a.m., starting out with the Fred Meyer Free Pancake Breakfast from 8-11 a.m. Those who have a free pancake breakfast coupon, available at Clark County Fred Meyer locations, are able to have the free breakfast. Breakfast stops promptly at 11 a.m., no exceptions. Those who have the free breakfast coupon also get free admission into the fair for that day until noon. The fair will remain open until 11 p.m. on opening day.

During the remaining days, the fair will be open Sun.-Thu., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.-11 p.m. The carnival opens at noon daily, except for opening day when it opens at 9 a.m. The barn closes early on the first Tuesday to change out animal exhibits and then again closes early on the second Tuesday and the last Sunday.

Gate admission to the fair is $11 for adults, $9 for seniors, $8 for children ages 7-12 and free for children 6 years old and younger. Pre-sale tickets are $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and $6 for children ages 7-12. Cost for parking is $6 per vehicle. For the carnival, each ride coupon costs $1. Attendees can buy ride sheets containing 25 coupons for $23 or 80 coupons for $70. All-day wristbands for Mon.-Thu. are $28 ($25 per-sale) and are $30 for Fri.-Sun. (pre-sale $25). Discount advance tickets and carnival products end Aug. 6.

Aside from the opening day free pancake breakfast, there are a few other promotional days during the course of the fair. Family Day is Mon., Aug. 10, children ages 7-12 can get in for an admission price of $6. Military Appreciation Day is Tue., Aug. 11, and all military members with military ID will pay only $7 for admission. Lastly, Wed., Aug. 12, is Prime of Your Life Day, and senior citizens can enter the fair for $7.

This year, C-TRAN is offering free shuttle service to the fair. The C-TRAN schedule during the fair can be found at www.c-tran.com/about-c-tran/news/rider-alerts/296-2015-clark-county-fair-shuttle-service .

Family activities and entertainment at the fair will include new and past features, including Cowgirl Tricks with Karen Quest, hypnotist Jerry Harris, Jest in Time, Mz. Pearl’s Variety Show, Adam the Great and Great American Pony Rides. In addition to featured exhibits already listed, Walk on the Wild Side will also be back this year, as will The Pirate’s Parrot Show.

Participate in contests at the fair

Adults and children alike can satisfy their competitive side by participating in one or several of the contests going on during the fair. There are some contests just for kids and others for adults.

Here are the children’s contests that will be going on during the fair:

• Pretty Baby Contest: Sat., Aug. 8, 10:30 a.m. registration, 11:30 a.m. contest begins, on the Community Stage. Babies from newborn to 18 months can enter the contest. Categories will be assigned and will include 0-4 months; 5-9 months; 10-14 months; and 15-18 months. First, second and third place winners in each age division will be awarded.

• Diaper Derby: Sun., Aug. 9, 12:30 p.m. registration, 1 p.m. contest begins, at the Comcast Kids Park Stage. This event is for crawling children under the age of 24 months. On contestant will also be awarded the Most Creative Decorated Diaper Award.

• Toddler Trot: Sat., Aug. 15, 11 a.m. registration, 11:30 a.m. contest begins, at the stage inside the Comcast Kids Park. This contest is for children ages 1-4 years old. The contest will be limited to the first 10 entries per age group. There will be two races of five contestants per age group.

• Mutton Bustin’: Wed., Aug. 12, noon-1:30 p.m. registration, 2 p.m. contest begins, at the 99.5 The Wolf Grandstands. Contest is for children ages 3 years old and up, there is a 50-pound weight maximum. Registration is limited to the first 40 participants. The top 10 riders with the fastest times will be asked to return for the finals during the Bull Riding that same night at 7 p.m. Winner of the finals will receive a trophy.

• Hula Hoop: Presented by Phat Hoops, this contest takes place daily at 4 p.m. on the Kid’s Park Family Fun Stage (no contest Sat., Aug. 8). Open to all ages, register in the Kid’s Park just before the contest.

• Jump Rope: This contest also takes place daily at 4 p.m. on the Kid’s Park Family Fun Stage (no contest Sat., Aug. 8). Open to all ages, register in the Kid’s Park just before the contest.

Here are some contests for the adults during the fair:

• Watermelon Eating Contest: Sat., Aug. 8, 1:30 p.m. registration, 2 p.m. contest begins, at the Community Stage. Contest is limited to the first 15 contestants to register. Contestants must be 13 years old or older. The object is to be the first contestant to eat half of a watermelon down to the rind without using their hands.

• Cheeseburger Eating Contest: Sat., Aug. 15, contest begins at 1 p.m., registration right before the contest, at the Community Stage. Contest is limited to the first 15 contestants to register. Contestants must be 13 years old or older. The first contestant to consume five cheeseburgers wins. Points will only be given for whole cheeseburgers eaten. Water will be provided.

• Hot Dog Eating Contest: Sun., Aug. 9, contest begins at 3 p.m., registration right before the contest, at the Community Stage. Contest is limited to the first 15 contestants to register. Contestants must be 13 years old or older. The first contestant to consume five hot dogs and buns wins. Points will only be given for while hot dogs and buns eaten. Water will be provided.

• Shari’s Pie Eating Contest: Sun., Aug. 16, contest begins at 1 p.m., registration right before the contest, at the Community Stage. Contest is limited to the first 15 contestants to register. Contestants must be 13 years old or older. The first contestant to consume their entire pie without using their hands wins. Water will be provided.

• Demolition Derby: Fri., Aug. 14, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., in the 99.5 The Wolf Grandstands. Sign up online at www.clarkcofair.com/grandstands.html.

• Tuff Trucks: Sat., Aug. 15, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., in the 99.5 The Wolf Grandstands. Sign up online at www.clarkcofair.com/grandstands.html.

For more information on activities, exhibits and more at the Clark County Fair, visit the fair’s official website at ww.clarkcofair.com.