Rabbits rule at Evergreen State Fair

One of the goals of the 2007 Evergreen State Fair staff is to get fairgoers to help break the Guinness World Record for the largest number of people to participate in a bunny hop. Toward that end, they are offering the first 2,000 participants a set of free bunny ears. Participants must register by 10 a.m. today at the Movin’ 92.5 booth, for the 2 p.m. event.

“Be Somebunny! Hop to the Fair!” the 99th edition of the fair running now through Sept. 3, has, with numerous showcases for people’s talents like today’s Bunny Hop, increased its focus on entertainment via contests.

Some of these include a Huntin’ Wabbits game, egg-tossing, bubble gum-blowing and pie-eating contests and KJAQ radio station kids’ karaoke night. To toss eggs, register at 5 p.m. Saturday for the 5:30 p.m. contest; to show off bubble gum skills, register by 2:45 p.m. Wednesday for the 3 p.m. contest, and to eat pie, register by 2:30 p.m. Thursday for the 3 p.m. contest. The kids’ karaoke, which is an open-mike event, takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday.

As for the “Huntin’ Wabbits,” game, contestants must simply pay the admission fee, be sure they get a “Huntin’ Wabbits guide,” and then locate 20 of the 30 posters, prints or other pieces of art displayed throughout the fairgrounds. At each location, attendants will stamp the game “guides.” “Guides” with the proper number of stamps are to be left in a designated location, and winners will be randomly drawn from the bin at 5 p.m. Sept. 2.

The fair also is emphasizing the importance of military personnel and firefighters, EMTs and other emergency workers. Not only will these visitors be treated to free admission Aug. 31, but that day also will feature two “A Tribute to America” performances by Buck and Elizabeth, who sing, dance, play music and more, at 11 a.m. on the courtyard stage and 1 p.m. on the family fun stage. Other military-related events that day include an Armed Forces ceremony at 2 p.m. and a Navy Band concert at 3 p.m.

An Aztec dancing performance at 4:45 p.m. today, hula dancers at noon and J.P. Patches at 1:15 p.m. Saturday and The Reptile Man at noon Thursday are just a few more examples of this year’s family entertainment. In addition to all those, the Jest in Time Circus performs several times daily, through Sept. 3.

The “Farmer for a Day” area, open daily in the Children’s Activity Tent, gives families more than just a chance to see some animals up-close. It allows youngsters to prove that a person can be a farmer, no matter what his or her age. Kids can hone their cow-milking techniques, collect hens’ eggs, pick apples and do other sorts of farm duties, all while learning about real farms and everything that go along with them, from numerous informational areas in the “Farmer” exhibit.

And finally, Everett’s Imagine Children’s Museum is partnering with the fair to offer young fairgoers hands-on activities such as measuring and weighing items that would be found on a farm, and creating farm animals with model-making materials and more.

With all this activity, the fair staff has proved one thing, for sure: This year’s visitors certainly do have myriad chances to “be somebunny.”