MENLO - The theme for this year's Pacific County Fair is "Celebration". The 125th edition of the Pacific County Fair (100th in Menlo) returns to more of a sense of normalcy after only a couple of displays in 2020. The fair takes place Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Pacific County Fairgrounds. All three days there will be animal showings, entertainment, plenty of exhibits, booths, vendors, creative crafts, beautiful flowers and artwork to view, and a variety of food to enjoy.
"We hope in 2022 that things will be back to a more normal time, new normal, and then we can plan for a much larger celebration of our past history and years of fairs in Pacific County... this being 125 years and a 100 years in Menlo, just will be happy to hold a fair with the current pandemic situation," Pacific County Fair Manager Bill Monohon told the Herald.
"We have a nice group of animals coming in for the livestock barn and the sheep and goat barn," Monohon said. "Rabbits, due to their own infectious disease potential will be a show 'n go only this year. We will have three donkeys for people to see, and a small selection of horses and poultry."
"People thought there wouldn't be much to do for kids etcetera, but we have so much happening here with very little time and help," Monohon said. "Volunteers are very much needed. There will be a lot to do for folks, even with the ongoing pandemic.
"Per state requirements, we can have 3,000 people per acre, and we have 7.2 acres, so numbers will not be an issue for us and the pandemic," Monohon said.
General admission prices are Adult (Daily, 18 and over) $7; Senior Citizen (60 and over) $5; Students (1st-12th grades) $5; Preschoolers, Free; Nursing Home Residents, Free; Free Senior Citizen and Veterans Day at Fair is Friday; Free Kids Day at the fair (12 and under) is Saturday.
Thursday-Saturday Highlights
Thursday's opening day features showings for swine (10:00 a.m., Livestock Arena), horses (10:00 a.m., Horse Arena), beef (2:00 p.m., Livestock Arena), and sheep and goat (10:00 a.m., Goat-Sheep Arena). According to Monohon, Thursday's entertainment on the Main Stage includes Nulltown (1:00 p.m.), Virgil Stortroen (3:00 p.m.), Christine Corey (5:00 p.m.) and Dusty Mojo (7:00 p.m.).
Friday's Dairy Showing and Horse Showing takes place at 10:00 a.m. (Note: if it's hot, the horse showings will start at 8:00 a.m..) The poultry judging also takes place in the morning, but a time was not determined at press time. Also Friday, in the 4-H Building from 10:00 a.m.-noon, Love a Leaf, Save a Leaf - Leaf Pressing, and from noon-2:00 p.m. is What's a Buzz? Pollinators in the Garden (Creating pollinator friendly habitat and more). In the 4-H Building from 2-4:00 p.m. there is Wiggly Worms and Composting (Composting with Earthworms). The Funniest Costumed Fair Animal Contest is at 3:30 p.m. in the Livestock Arena.
According to Monohon, on the Main Stage for two shows is magician Jeff Evans at 1:00 and 4:00 p.m.. Stortroen entertains at 4:00 p.m., and Soul Siren performs at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday's Rabbit Show 'n Go is at 10 am (4-H Building) and the Youth Market Livestock Auction takes place at 1:00 p.m.. "Come out and meet the kids starting at 10:00 a.m. before the auction and see their animals," Monohon said. The Cheer Exhibition is at 4:00 p.m. Musical entertainment will be provided by "ELVIS" (Jason Whited impersonator) at 5:30 p.m. and The Robert Henry Band at 7:30 p.m.
About the music and entertainment, Monohon said, "Soul Siren is a rock 'n roll band, The Robert Henry Band is old time country, Jeff Evans always thrills the crowd with his magical entertainment, and then what can we say about Elvis... but it is Elvis impersonator Jason Whited.
Some other activities include a Fair Arcade with various fun and exciting machines to play and Bounce About NW, an obstacle course, and various other bounce excitement for youngsters as well as the young at heart.
"4-H may have some virtual events taking place," Monohon said. "Their public presentations will be, but not sure if they will be viewable at fair time or not. With the students not having a normal, in-person school year last year, the lack of entries will be felt in the 4-H and FFA areas for sure."
Monohon added, "Buy your fair tickets, single day or three day online; little in-person contact that way, or you can also purchase them at the gate. And, the WiFi has been improved at the fairgrounds. Also, there will be an ATM machine onsite for 2021, located in the Commercial Building. The Pacific Transit bus schedule is online. Take a look for ease of transport and forget about parking. So come on out and enjoy a safe and fun time at the fair. Bring your mask or we will have one for you."
Safety First
In regard to the coronavirus pandemic, Monohon said the Pacific County Fair is following state guidelines.
"We have masks for everyone who wants one," Monohon said. "We will also have gloves for anyone who wants or needs gloves. And there will be 48 self-dispensing sanitizing stations around the fairgrounds.
"We are following the guidelines by the state as of this Monday, August 23, all individuals are required to mask when in buildings whether vaccinated or not, and this includes the barns and buildings at the fairgrounds.
"There will be so much to see and do outside; wearing masks are not mandatory but are recommended, whether vaccinated or not," Monohon added. "The current pandemic situation may impact our fair attendance, but not really sure. Time will tell on that."
Variety of Food Vendors
Monohon said food vendors will include:
In closing, Monohon informed that everyone is required to pick up their items that were entered and to take down their booths and food vending on Sunday, 9:00 a.m., when the fair doors open. The gates will remain open until 2:00 p.m..
For more information, go to the fair's website at pacificcountyfair.com.
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