STANWOOD — Cows, country crooners and corn on the cob aside, the fair remains the social event of the year.
Longtime Stanwood-Camano Community Fair volunteer Barb Carroll believes the three-day affair brings people together.
“It’s the biggest deal in our area, and the largest community fair in the state,” Carroll said. “People who move away always come back to visit at fair time. Everybody attends.”
The Stanwood fair is nearly 80 years old, and Carroll’s been a volunteer there for nearly 20 years. She also serves on the 24-member fair board and helps oversee the other 399 people who volunteer their time to get the gates open each year.
The fair starts today at the grounds on Pioneer Highway just south of the city. With more than 42,000 people expected over three days, the event has plenty to do and see.
There are continuous stage shows at no extra charge, strolling musicians, barns full of animals, games for kids, a carnival, educational exhibits, vendors and lots of fair food.
It’s all about kids and agriculture, Carroll said, and you don’t have to be in 4-H or Future Farmers of America to enter your rabbit or watercolor painting in the fair.
“I tell people we’re the same as the big fairs, just smaller and friendlier,” Carroll said. “It’s like a country fair.”
The fair had its start during the Great Depression as a harvest festival hosted by the Stillaguamish Grange. In the 1960s, the event was turned over to a board of directors. A nonprofit organization, the fair is supported by tickets and donations, and the Department of Agriculture kicks in a little money for exhibitor prizes.
The Stanwood-Camano Rotary Club joins the fun on Saturday morning with its annual fair parade, this year with a theme of Community Pride. The parade begins at 11 a.m. along 271st Street NW in downtown Stanwood.
Revered Western Washington TV clown J.P. Patches, celebrating his 50th year in show business, will share the grand marshal’s seat. Also honored will be police and fire officials who responded in emergencies during the snows and flooding of last winter.
J.P. Patches also plans to perform at noon Sunday on the Viking Stage at the fair.
Evening headliners on the main stage include the AC/DC tribute band Hell’s Belles on Friday and Van Halen tribute band the Atomic Punks on Saturday.
The complete schedule is available online at www.stanwoodcamanofair.org.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.
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