MONROE — Picture the fun, just not yourself.
That’s the message from officials at the Evergreen State Fair, which opens at 10 a.m. on Thursday and continues through Labor Day.
This year’s fair theme is “picture the fun.” However, organizers have banned selfie sticks, extendable poles that connect to a smartphone, allowing users a longer reach to snap photos of themselves.
Fairs and amusement parks across the country have asked people to leave their selfie sticks at home because they can get caught in rides or poke people, Evergreen State Fair Manager Hal Gausman said.
“I’m encouraging people to make new friends and ask someone to take their picture,” he said.
Selfies aside, this year’s fair boasts amusements, agriculture, arts and animals from around Snohomish County.
“Our fair feels like a fair,” said Troy Kleine, marketing specialist, noting some fairs have shifted from an agricultural focus to become more like trade shows.
New to the Evergreen fair this year are animal races with goats, sheep, chickens, and pigs.
Last year, it didn’t have the popular pig races, which disappointed a number of fairgoers. So organizers decided to bring back the petting zoo and add animal races for 2015.
“It’s hilarious,” Kleine said. “They’re awesome.”
Fair food favorites, such as elephant ears, cheese curds, kettle corn, scones, turkey legs, cotton candy will be among the many sweet and savory options.
Butler Amusements is returning with carnival rides this year. Back from the 2014 carnival is the “Freak Out.” It swings riders up to 40 feet over the midway as their seats rotate.
“It’s hugely popular,” Kleine said.
Christian, country and heavy metal concerts are part of entertainment at the Grandstand. The lineup includes Vince Gill, Jerrod Niemann, Lee Brice, Casting Crowns and Queensrÿche, a last-minute fill in for Pat Benatar and Neil “Spyder” Giraldo, who canceled last week.
The fair has a stage that features free live music, contests and other amusements throughout each day. There are also entertainers roving the grounds.
The Evergreen Speedway has racing, supercross events and a demolition derby during the fair. There will be bull-riding, rodeo and equestrian events at the Arena.
FFA and 4-H members will showcase cattle, dogs, rabbits, goats, sheep and llamas. They’ll also have science, photography, produce and home economics exhibits.
Some 350,000 people are expected to visit the fairgrounds along U.S. 2 during the next 12 days.
Snohomish County spends about $2.5 million to put on the annual event. Admission costs $12 for adults and $8 for seniors and youth. Those age 5 and younger and 90 and older get in free.
The fair is also running deals with free or reduced admission prices during certain hours on several days. On Thursday, people get in for free before 1 p.m.
Grandstand, racing and rodeo tickets cost extra.
The activities are lined up until 7 p.m. on Sept. 7. The schedule and ticket information can be found at evergreenfair.org.
Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
