Clark County Fair: ‘Summer’s Best Party’

RIDGEFIELD – The 146th edition of the Clark County Fair is Aug. 1-10. Area residents are invited to splish and splash their way through what’s described as “Summer’s Best Party.”

The Clark County Fair Association has created a lineup of attractions and entertainment including Sea Lion Splash, the High Diving Pirates of the Caribbean, FairCon and the new ToyTopia and Lego Lane exhibits.

In addition to those attractions, this year’s Fair will also include all the rides, food, fun, and animals that makes the Fair a favorite memory for most each summer. Fairgoers can go to the all-new Clark County Fair website for details and schedules: www.ClarkCoFair.com.

Fair officials recently announced that prices for admission, parking, and carnival products will stay the same for the fifth year in a row. Fairgoers can purchase discounted tickets online at www.ClarkCoFair.com and at consignment locations including Clark County Fred Meyer stores, People’s Community Federal Credit Union branches, and participating Wilco Farm Stores.

Reserved tickets for concerts in the 99.5 The Wolf Grandstands can also be purchased online at www.ClarkCoFair.com.

There will be plenty of free entertainment for the entire family throughout the Fair. Visitors can get their motorsports and rodeo action in the 99.5 The Wolf Grandstands, visit the Comcast Kids Park for plenty of activities, and the Kids’ Stage sponsored by Westfield Vancouver Mall and Fred Meyer for contests.

For those needing some carnival ride fun, the Clark County Fair will once again include Butler Amusements and The KATU Summer’s Best Carnival. Fairgoers can be hypnotized by Jerry Harris or wowed by the magical Adam the Great on The Columbian Community Stage.

And, no fair is complete without all of the animals – cows, horses, goats, llamas, and more – that are waiting to greet visitors the animal barns.

Concert Lineup

The Clark County Fair has the musical artists fairgoers will want with the sounds of classic rock and boot-tapping country – in the 99.5 The Wolf Grandstands.

Concerts are free with Fair admission and reserved seating is available for purchase online at www.ClarkCoFair.com ($20-$25 tickets include Fair admission, reserved seating in front of the stage, access to a VIP bar with minimal lines, and other VIP perks.).

The 2014 Clark County Fair Concert Series at the 99.5 The Wolf Grandstands:

• Fri., Aug. 1 – Night Ranger, 7 p.m.

• Sat., Aug. 2 – Creedence Clearwater Revisited, 7 p.m.

• Sun., Aug. 3 – Lonestar, 7 p.m.

• Mon., Aug. 4 – Chase Rice with Jackson Michelson at 7 p.m.

More free grandstand action at the fair

Here comes more pulse-pounding and heart-thumping action. The Clark County Fair has free fun at the 99.5 The Wolf Grandstands. with entertainment such as:

• Tue., Aug. 5 – Barrel Racing at 2 p.m. and Roughstock Rodeo at 7 p.m.

• Wed., Aug. 6 – Mutton Bustin’ at 2 p.m. and Bull Riding at 7 p.m. (Mutton Bustin’ finals occur during the 7 p.m. event)

• Thu., Aug. 7 – Moto X at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

• Fri., Aug. 8 – Demo Derby at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

• Sat., Aug. 9 – Tuff Trucks at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

• Sun., Aug. 10 – Monster Trucks at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Main features for the 2014 Clark County Fair

• Sea Lion Splash presented by Metro PCS, KGW and K103 is a traveling sea lion exhibit. Squalus Inc. was first established when Marco Peters began adopting and providing a home for sea lions who were unable to survive in the wild because of sickness, age, or injuries. Marco’s passion for sea lions led him to educate the public on the need to coexist with these special marine mammals. Thus began the journey of the “Sea Lion Splash,” which now travels all over North America entertaining thousands of people each year. This fantastic show is truly one of a kind, being the only sea lion show that features both Californian and South American sea lions. This incredible show features sea lions performing entertaining and educational tricks, including handstands, balancing balls, flips, dancing, smiling, and even teaching kids how to recycle.

• FairCon presented by Portland’s the CW32 and Must Love Kids Dentistry is back, so get ready for an exciting atmosphere of gaming tournaments that runs all 10 days of the Fair.

• Take in the Fair Film Festival, where you can see local film talent with three main groups: high school students and/or classes submitting in a youth category, a Weekend Challenge film race that includes everyone and has to be written, shot, and edited within two days, and of course the Open Category, which includes submissions of all types in the many categories available.

• Also during FairCon, you can take part in CosPlay. It’s time to don that awesome costume and join in to become your favorite comic book heroes and movie legends at FairCon. Share in this great CosPlay experience and enjoy the wonderful creativity as people of all ages embody the characters they love.

• Lastly, Magic: the Gathering is a chance to test your skills in this expansive card game. Summon powerful creatures, cast deadly spells, and grapple for dominance against formidable foes

Lego Lane presented by Bricks and Minifigs features a hands-on play areas and Lego displays. Kids young and old love playing with Legos and on Lego Lane, the possibilities are endless! Watch a Lego artist build incredible structures right before your eyes, or create your own masterpiece. You can even purchase your work and other collectables.

The High Diving Pirates of the Caribbean will amaze you with its formidable height and daring diving exhibition! The show features Fancy diving, a hilarious comedy act, a dramatic and frightening Fire Dive, and a High Dive of no less than 70 feet that will have you on the edge of your seat. Adding to the display is a dramatic inflatable pirate ship and dive tower decorated with sails, netting, and crow’s nest. This show is 20 minutes long and tells the story of pirates sailing the seven seas and is fast-paced excitement for all ages.

The Marketplace, presented by Dish

The Clark County Event Center Exhibition Hall will be open, air conditioned, and filled with great exhibits for the whole family to enjoy:

• Commercial exhibits – featuring the latest in kitchen gadgets, cosmetics, home and garden implements, and just about any product and service you can imagine.

• Community exhibits – with hobbies, crafts, foods, floral displays, photography, quilting, and 4-H exhibits.

• See the latest in equipment, implements, and high-tech gadgets.

2014 American Honey Queen

Susannah Austin is the 2014 American Honey Queen. She will visit the Clark County Fair August 1-8.  She will make appearances with the Clark County Beekeepers during her stay at the Fair, speaking to Fairgoers about the importance of honeybees in our daily lives, and how, from city to country, everyone can help the honeybee.

She will also demonstrate how honey comes in a kaleidoscope of colors. Susannah is the 19-year-old daughter of Kris and Catherine Austin of Orlando, FL. She is a sophomore at the University of Central Florida, pursuing a degree in biology, with hopes of becoming a veterinarian. Susannah’s family began beekeeping through a 4-H project over 10 years ago. As the 2014 American Honey Queen, Susannah serves as a national spokesperson on behalf of the American Beekeeping Federation, a trade organization representing beekeepers and honey producers throughout the United States.

Agricultural fun

What’s a County Fair without hundreds of animals, blue ribbons, apple pies and exhibits?

• The FFA and 4-H programs are designed to teach their members valuable leadership skills that will benefit them in any career they may choose. The animal and agricultural projects teach them the meaning of responsibility, hard work and the basics of running a small business. Look for their project displays at the Fair.

• Youth Efforts Against Hunger (YEAH) was founded in 2006 by the Junior Livestock Auction (JLA) Board to provide quality meat raised by 4-H and FFA members to needy families in Clark County.  Each August at the Clark County Fair, local 4-H and FFA youth sell more than 200 market animals to the highest bidder at the JLA.  Many buyers donate their animals to YEAH or make cash donations to help YEAH buy other animals and pay for processing.

• The Passport to Fun was devised to get kids ages 2-12 involved in areas of agriculture that they might not experience on a daily basis. After picking up a Passport from the American Red Cross Booth, children visit the different participating areas and participate in a hands-on learning activity regarding that department to earn a stamp. When the Passport has 10 stamps, it’s complete and ready to be turned in for the chance to win a grand prize, donated by the Clark-Cowlitz Farm Bureau.

Take a ride

• Thrill‐seekers won’t want to miss the Fair’s exciting amusement ride and game area. The KATU Summer’s Best Carnival features an assortment of amazing rides and attractions, including a new ride, the Freak Out.  Towering at 70 feet, the Freak Out seats 16 people and takes them on a thrilling journey into the sky. Passengers are secured by over-the-shoulder harnesses as they dangle in expectation. When the ride begins, the seats slowly rotate as the entire boom begins to swing horizontally. Passengers swing over the midway directly overhead of those watching from the front of the ride. The ride climax is reached as the boom reaches a height of over 40 feet in the air while the passenger seats rotate. As always, there will be dozens of exhilarating 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 where to find deals on all-day ride wristbands.

Guest services

• People’s Community Federal Credit Union wants you to feel free to drop your shopping treasure or carnival winnings by their package-handling booth located inside the Marketplace lobby. People’s Community Federal Credit Union also encourages Fairgoers to be eco-responsible and take public transportation this year to the Fair.

• Be sure to visit C-Tran’s website at www.c-tran.com for shuttle schedules. Or, go to the Fair website for details. Save money when you take C-Tran for a $2 round trip – and get a $1 discount off full price Fair admission when you present your bus fare stub at the gate.

Promotional Days

• Fri., Aug. 1 – Opening Day – Free Fred Meyer Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Breakfast service will stop at 11 a.m. regardless of the line. Present a Free Pancake Breakfast & Admission coupon (available at Clark County Fred Meyer locations for a limited time), and receive free admission into the Fair until noon – no exceptions. Help the Clark County Food Bank by donating cans of food on Opening Day.

• Mon., Aug. 4 – Chevron Family Day – $5 admission all day for kids ages 7 to 12 – with a Chevron Coupon available at local Chevron Stations. Kids 6-and-under are free.

• Tue., Aug. 5 – Military Appreciation Day – sponsored by K103 and Pacific Rentals. $7 gate admission for current and past military personnel. Must show identification.  Military personnel in uniform are free all days of the Fair.

• Wed., Aug. 6 – Humana Prime of Your Life Day – along with AM860 and PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, will feature special entertainment, a classic style carnival of vendors featuring fun games and activities, and a whole day of fun honoring senior Fairgoers. Bring the grandkids and come enjoy the swingin’ sounds of the Beacock Band, participate in FairCon’s Wii Bowling Tournament, or enjoy a classic story told by the Portland Spirit’s Cinnamon Bear.   Senior admission (62+) is $6 (regularly $8).

• Thu., Aug. 7 – Kids’ Day – sponsored by Westfield Vancouver Mall and Dick Hannah. $5 admission for kids ages 7 to 12. Kids 6-and-under are free as always.

Family fun at the Fair

Fairgoers are invited to bring their children over to the Comcast Kids Park and Westfield Vancouver Mall Kids’ Stage or The Columbian Community Stage for activities and contests!

Baby Contests

Pretty Baby — Sat., Aug. 2, 11:30 a.m.

Registration: 10:30 a.m. at Community Stage

If your baby or grandbaby is the cutest around, enter him or her in the annual Clark County Fair Pretty Baby Contest, free with Fair admission. The contest is open to babies up to 18 months old, and boys and girls will compete together. Judges will be the Clark County Fair Court and visiting royalty.

Diaper Derby & Decorated Diaper— Sun., Aug. 3, 1 p.m.

Registration: 12:30 p.m. at the Fred Meyer Kids’ Stage

The Diaper Derby is a fun-filled event for crawling children under the age of 24 months. Crawlers participating in the Diaper Derby will crawl from one cheering “coach” to the other. Babies will line up at the starting line and, at the signal, are encouraged to crawl to the finish line. Preceding the derby will be the Decorated Diaper Contest. In the contest, parents use their imagination to dress up their babies’ diaper, which must remain visible. A panel of judges will be looking for originality, creativity, public appeal, and overall effect. Babies entering the Decorated Diaper Contest must be under the age of 24 months.

Toddler Trot — Sat., Aug. 9, 11:30 a.m.

Registration: 11 a.m. at the Fred Meyer Kids’ Stage

It’s a “dash” of about 25 yards for kids four years old and under. Contestants line up at the starting line and, at the signal, are encouraged to run to the finish line. There will be two races of five contestants per age group. In each race, the first child to cross the finish line wins.

Kids’ Contests

Mutton Bustin’ – Wed., Aug. 6, 2 p.m.

Check-in and Registration: Noon at the 99.5 The Wolf Grandstands

When the child is seated atop the sheep, the sheep is released and usually starts to run in an attempt to get the child off. The top 10 winners will be asked to return for the finals during the Bull Riding competition that night at 7 p.m.

Hula Hoop – Daily, 4 p.m. the Comcast Kids Park

See who can hoop the longest. Open to all ages. Sponsored by Phat Hoops

Contests for Adults

Watermelon Eating — Sat., Aug. 2, 2 p.m. Community Stage

Hot Dog Eating — Sun., Aug. 3, 3 p.m. Community Stage

Burgerville Cheeseburger Eating – Sat., Aug. 9, 1 p.m. Community Stage

Shari’s Pie Eating — Sun., Aug. 10, 1 p.m. Community Stage

GO ARMY Push-Ups – Fridays and Saturdays, before the 7 p.m.