Last year’s Evergreen State Fair. (Ian Terry / The Herald)

Last year’s Evergreen State Fair. (Ian Terry / The Herald)

New at the fair: 1 morning exclusively for disabled

MONROE — Butterflies and a morning meant to inspire dreams are among the new highlights at this year’s Evergreen State Fair.

The 109th annual fair kicks off Thursday and runs through Labor Day. More than 320,000 people attended last year’s fair.

The gates are scheduled to open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. most days, but close at 9 p.m. Labor Day. Carnival rides get going around 11 a.m. and shut down at 11 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for ages 6 to 15 or 62 to 89, and free for children younger than 6 or seniors older than 90. Parking costs $10.

A new exhibit is planned called Butterfly Adventures, a chance to feed, watch and learn about butterflies. It costs extra.

Organizers also are introducing Morning of Dreams, an event where the fair will open for several hours exclusively to guests with disabilities and their families. The suggestion came from a local mom whose son lives with autism.

“I have always loved going to the fair, but sometimes the things that are so fun and exciting for me and others can be overwhelming for kids on the spectrum,” Carrie Mizenko said in a news release.

Morning of Dreams is limited to 500 guests in order to keep a calm environment. Admission is $5 per person, with free entry for caregivers. It’s scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Aug. 30. Participants must register and pay online by Wednesday. They can register at www.evergreenfair.org/208.

The fair also is getting extended Labor Day hours. Instead of closing at 7 p.m., it will be open until 9 p.m.

This year’s event is a “Clean Air Fair,” meaning smoking or vaping is not allowed inside the fairgrounds or within 25 feet of entrances.

There are themed admission days that reduce the cost of fair fun. On opening day, admission is free until 3 p.m. with the donation of three non-perishable food items per person for local food banks.

Adults wearing Seahawks gear get $2 off until 2 p.m. Friday. Monday is seniors day, with free entry for anyone 62 and older, and Tuesday is 2-for-1 admission.

Family Day on Aug. 30 means $5 admission until 5 p.m. Those who miss Family Day can bring kids 15 and under for free the next day. All military service members and first responders with ID get in free Sept. 1, and closing day is $2 off for everybody.

Rides, food and some exhibits cost extra. The fair bustles with free activities, too. People can expect a petting zoo, farming displays, live entertainment, and exhibits featuring animals, produce and crafts that have been entered for prizes.

About 24,000 entries in various categories — quilting, baking, photography and more — are expected to be on display. Animals will be shown in arenas or tended in barns, where fairgoers can visit them and talk with the people who entered them into the fair, mostly 4H or FFA members. Tiny piglets in barn No. 513 always draw a crowd. The popular rodeo and Western games, Sept. 1 to 3, are back this year.

The fair theme is “Harvest the Memories,” and history will be celebrated. The Western Heritage Museum offers a glimpse of Snohomish County’s past. In another exhibit, antique tractors are to be paired with a small roped-off track where children can drive a tot-sized tractor.

Free shows happen throughout the day, including the International Lumberjack Show and crazy animal races, where ducks, pigs and goats demonstrate their speed.

A full line-up of events and activities is available in printed programs at the fairgrounds or online at www.evergreenfair.org.

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

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Dahlia Society members Doug Symonds and Alysia Obina on Monday, March 3, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How to grow for show

10 Snohomish County Dahlia Society tips for award-winning blooms

State Attorney General Nick Brown's office posted a release announcing $720 million in nationwide settlements with eight drugmakers that manufactured opioid pills and worsened the nationwide opioid crisis. The state could receive more than $16 million, the release said. (Ryan Berry/Washington State Standard)
Snohomish County to receive portion of latest $16M opioid settlement

While the amount of money is still unknown, funding plans are already in place to help with drug abuse prevention, treatment and education.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

District 2 candidates differ in public safety approach

Incumbent Paula Rhyne is facing challenger Ryan Crowther. The third candidate, Jonathan Shapiro, is no longer seeking the seat.

From left to right, Edmonds City Council Position 3 candidates Joseph Ademofe, Alex Newman and Erika Barnett.
Amid budget crisis, Edmonds City Council candidates talk revenue, affordability

Three newcomers are facing off for Position 3 on the council, currently held by council President Neil Tibbott.

Everett
Everett approves new fines for non-emergency lifts

The fire department will only issue fines for non-emergency lift assists at licensed care facilities, not for individuals at home calling 911.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.