By Theresa Goffredo Herald Writer
Sure the Whidbey Island Fair has lots of the same kind of entertainment one might find at other community fairs, but do other community fairs have a zucchini contest?
How about a Build a Birdhouse contest, or a Cackle and Crow contest or a Lego contest?
Didn’t think so.
You have to travel to the Island County Fairgrounds in Langley for that kind of fair fun.
The Whidbey Island Fair opens Thursday and runs through Aug. 19.
Birdhouses can be built from scratch or from recycled material and can become a permanent fixture at the fairgrounds or taken home after judging.
The Cackle &Crow contest involves creating a rooster, hen or a chick out of any material, using any technique or skill, from 3-D models, to painting or sculpting one out of clay or papier mache. Be realistic or whimsical.
Homegrown zucchinis can be entered in the contest in the categories of heaviest, prettiest, ugliest and longest.
The Lego contest is an on-site building challenge to create an original structure. The age divisions are 4 to 6; 7 to 10; 11 to 13, and 14 and older. The contest is timed and Legos are provided.
In addition to these contests, fairgoers can be entertained by clowns, musicians, flamenco and other performers on the Eva Mae Gabelein Stage.
The fair parade starts at 10 a.m. Saturday in downtown Langley. Carnival rides start at noon at each day.
The 88th Whidbey Island Fair starts at 9:30 a.m. each day from Thursday through Sunday at the Island County Fairgrounds, 819 Camano Ave., Langley.
Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for military, seniors and juniors, and free for children 5 and under.
All contest rules and descriptions can be found at the fair website at whidbeyislandfair.com.
There’s free parking close to the fair on Langley Road between Maxwelton Road and Sandy Point Road, and at the CMA Church at Sixth Street and Cascade Avenue. Additional paid parking is available across the street and at the Langley Middle School as a fundraiser.
Island Transit drops off and picks up at the fairgrounds Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
