Fun by the ton at the fair

The Evergreen State Fair in Monroe, which begins Aug. 25 and runs through Sept. 5, is an annual coda to the dog days of summer — a giant exclamation point. It’s a time to indulge in fun food and rides and to celebrate Snohomish County’s agricultural heritage. Here’s a look at some numbers:

A fair profit
For the first time, people can purchase Evergreen State Fair tickets online. That’s good news for Snohomish County taxpayers. More ticket sales help the fair operate with a surplus.

The extra ice cream cone you buy? That just adds to your waistline.

2011 budget
Expected revenue: $4,038,227
Budgeted expenses: $3,729,534
Anticipated net: $308,693

Join the crowd
If it feels crowded at the fair, it is. More than 62,500 people are expected to pack the grounds each day. With about one-tenth that many parking spaces, it’s no wonder officials ask people to carpool.

Attendance
2010: 750,000
2011 expected: 800,000

Best time to go: First thing in the morning, or Monday through Thursday.

Blue ribbons!
Each day, dozens of contests award ribbons for pies, flowers, best of breed and more. Fair officials say 15,000 prizes are distributed.

Impress people with what you’ve learned here — you may take home a blue ribbon.

Fun and food
Children who enter judged contests: 888
Rides: 40
Potatoes for curly fries: 8 tons

Lots of critters
When farm fields are flooded in Snohomish County, farmers can bring their animals to the fairgrounds for shelter. There’s no threat of flooding during the fair, but it still seems like Noah’s Ark with almost 2,500 animals on display.

About a dozen animals give birth during the fair, mostly swine.

Fair officials wouldn’t say how many critters don’t live long enough to see the end of the fair. In fact, they’d have preferred we had not asked.

Animals at the fair
Dairy cows: 100
Goats: 120
Horses: 445
Chickens: 650
Rabbits: 360
Dogs: 344
Beef cattle: 125
Sheep: 230
Swine: 57
Llama/alpacas: 15
Calves: 36
Guinea pigs: 36
Animal waste: 20 tons