MONROE — Labor Day weekend tends to be the busiest days at the Evergreen State Fair.
The fair manager said he doesn’t expect that to change even though the Washington State Fair in Puyallup is overlapping with the Monroe events for the first time this year.
Washington State Fair coordinators decided last year to expand the event in 2016. It usually starts after the Evergreen State Fair ends. This year, the fair in Puyallup started Friday.
“They’re a different fair. They can kind of do what they want. We just focus on us,” Evergreen State Fair Manager Hal Gausman said Wednesday. “We have an amazing tradition. We have a lot of people who love to come out here. As long as we continue to focus just on who we are and continue and do the best fair possible, we don’t think there will be too much of an impact on our actual attendance.”
Activities are continuing as usual at the Evergreen State Fair. There may be some overlap with 4H or FFA events at both fairs, but Gausman said he talked with event coordinators in Puyallup and with the state 4H board.
Animal events shouldn’t overlap, which is good because the animals are harder to transport than other exhibits, he said.
Arts and crafts or other non-animal events may be where things get sticky for dedicated fairgoers who compete in 4H, FFA or other youth organizations.
“We’re all just kind of curious to see what happens,” Gausman said.
This already is a competitive weekend for event attendance due to Bumbershoot in Seattle. All outdoor events are more weather dependant than anything, he said.
Coming up this weekend at the fair is Rodeo Day on Saturday, with a line-up of morning and afternoon equestrian events followed by a 7 p.m. rodeo and Western games.
Sunday is Demo Derby Day. The demolition derby is one of the most popular events out of all 12 days of the fair, Gausman said. The derby starts at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 2 p.m. There are fireworks to cap off the evening festivities. The rodeo and demo derby cost $5 and are not included in general fair admission.
Monday is Labor Day and the last day of the fair. Tickets are discounted by $2 for everyone, on top of other daily discounts for children and senior citizens. The gates close at 7 p.m. rather than 10 p.m.
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.
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