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Opening Day at Stevens Pass
November 19. 2009 (10 photos)
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WEEK IN REVIEW
Thursday


5 die of swine flu in Snohomish County
Red Cross honors acts of heroism, many by ordin...
Barista clothing rules delayed by County Council
Wednesday


Father gets 13 years in 6-year-old's fatal shoo...
‘One bad choice' blamed in death of 4 fri...
Reps. Larsen, Inslee split on Obama's plans for...
Tuesday


Lynnwood swimmer turns therapy into competitive...
Highway 9 crash is worst alcohol-related accide...
Crash victim warned his students against DUI
Monday


Victims of Highway 9 crash ID'd; suspect booked...
Suspect in officer killings eludes law in Seattle
New laws for Snohomish County bikini baristas?
Sunday


Extended lack of work takes its toll on Snohomi...
Four die in car crash near Marysville
Gathering in Tacoma mourns slain Lakewood officers
Saturday


Contest inspired by ‘Biggest Loser' helps...
Everett building rules may be loosened
Marysville 's Electric Lights Parade goes dark
Friday


Thanksgiving tradition flourishes at Everett ch...
Democrats split over choice for Snohomish Count...
Safety advice for holiday shopping
 

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Mark Mulligan  (click to enlarge)
Workers carry tubes on Wednesday for the bumper boats at the Evergreen State Fair.
 
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CONTACT THE HERALD
Robert Frank, City Editor
frank@heraldnet.com
 
Published: Friday, August 22, 2008

Behind the scenes at the fair

You can't see their faces, but they are the reason we enjoy the fair: ­ carnival workers laboring behind the scenes, making the final preparations necessary for opening day at the Evergreen State Fair.

I met them emerging from the midway on Wednesday afternoon. Although closed to the public that afternoon, the fair bristled with energy. Workers raising roller coasters into the sky, vendors roasting chickens and turkey legs, trucks bringing swollen bags of plush toys for the midway games, then these pairs of legs laden with stacks of tubes -- tomorrow's bumper boats becoming today's picture.

I snapped as they rounded the corner. They didn't have time to stop for a burger. Their day was all business. We often miss the people whose labor runs the fair. An entire population lives on the road with the rides, sleeping in bunks at the fairgrounds and answering round-the-clock calls to labor as the fair rolls on. They remain faceless as we amuse ourselves.

1. 5 die of swine flu in Snohomish County
2. Driver charged in deaths of 4
3. Red Cross honors acts of heroism, many by ordinary people
4. Barista clothing rules delayed by County Council
5. Haugen's husband accused of sexual assault in civil suit
6. Ruskell steps down as Seahawks GM
7. Three people hurt in Everett house fire
8. Steelhead anglers finding mixed results
9. Airbus wins order for 52 single-aisle jets
10. Silvertips hammered
Enterprise Newspaper Snohomish County Business Journal
Wildcats fall to familar foe in semis
‘Nutcracker' times three
Road warrior
Mavericks reloading
Holiday Lightings & Santa Sightings
Cities prepare for winter blast repeat
Wolfpack duo takes last shot at state tourney
This Weekend in Your Town
Tips for the stormy season
The Enterprise Online Newspaper


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