Livestock auction and more at Evergreen State Fair this weekend

Published 1:30 am Saturday, August 27, 2016

MONROE — The first Evergreen Youth Livestock Show is what drew Hannah Guillien and Briana Affonso to the Evergreen State Fair this year.

They came from Sumner with their lambs, two males born in March. They plan to auction them during one of the fair’s newest events. The youth livestock auction is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, part of a long list of activities during the first weekend of the 2016 fair.

Guillien, 16, is auctioning Roger, a chatty lamb that spent much of his first day at the fair bleating to his friends across the barn.

“He’s better friends with the two lambs over there, and he misses them,” she said.

Affonso, 15, had a simpler explanation: “He’s complaining.”

The livestock auction in Monroe is the teens’ second time auctioning animals they’ve raised. The first was last spring in Puyallup. Both teens are in the Future Farmers of America program.

Another new event planned this weekend is the Fairfest 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Registration was due earlier this month and the kids’ tournament was Friday. The adults are scheduled to play from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday below the grand stands.

The fun isn’t just at the fairgrounds.

The 79th annual Fair Days Parade is scheduled for 11 a.m. in downtown Monroe. The parade goes along W. Main Street from 179th Avenue SE to Blakeley Street. Organizers recommend getting there early for a good spot. More than 60 groups are expected to be in the parade this year.

Along with the parade, the Fair Days Market brings dozens of vendors to Monroe Christian School and W. Main Street starting at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Back at the fairgrounds, activities are sprinkled throughout the weekend, such as the Gascar Crazy Animal Races in the Frontierland area or the Great American Petting Zoo with llamas, deer, wallabies, pygmy goats and more just south of the arena. A comedic lumberjack show is scheduled three times a day and Aztec Indian Dancers are scheduled to perform twice a day. Interactive farming and history exhibits are open all weekend.

For kids and teens with a competitive side, there is an egg toss contest at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and a texting contest at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

For a full list of events at the fairgrounds, go to EvergreenFair.org/162/Daily-Schedules or grab a fair guide with daily schedules and a map at the fairgrounds.

Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.