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Whether it’s “Good Vibrations” or “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” there should be something for just about everyone at this year’s Spokane County Interstate Fair.
The Beach Boys and Glen Campbell are two of the biggest-name acts who will be performing at this year’s fair. Of course, nonheritage acts like Josh Gracin – an “American Idol” finalist with a number-one hit in “Nothing to Lose” – and country superstar Rodney Atkins are no slouches either.
Throw in the zippy dogs, mutton bustin’, the Tilt-O-Whirl and a few lumberjacks, and you’ve got yourself a pretty intense week of excitement at this year’s fair. It is, indeed, “Something to Crow About,” as the 2009 theme suggests.
The fair kicks off today (Friday) with a grand-opening ceremony at the main gate at 9:30 a.m. The carnival rides, provided once again by Butler Amusements, open at noon. Throughout the day, Interstate Fair highlights such as bread-making and butter-churning demonstrations, agricultural and floral displays, livestock judging and other features will take place. Most can be seen through the entire 10-day runoff the fair, which concludes Sunday, Sept. 20.
Kids 6 and under – and also weighing under 60 pounds – can channel their inner cowboy with mutton bustin’ each day during the fair (1, 2:30, 4 and 7 p.m.). Tykes able to straddle a streaking sheep for six seconds or more will be able to win some special prizes.
Children of a scientific bent may also want to check out Bay 3 for the “Fun With Physics” display, presented by the Super Science Co. But if they want to channel their inner redneck instead, there’s always the Ziggy’s Kids Pedal-Tractor Pull (various times, but at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. today).
The international lumberjack show will also take place daily (noon, 3 and 6:30 p.m.) on the south lawn of the fairgrounds. Axe-throwing, log-rolling, spring boards, two-man crosscuts, pole climbs and more can be expected, along with more flannel shirts than a Pearl Jam concert.
Other fair highlights include:
- The PRCA Rodeo – Sept. 11-12 (7 p.m.) and Sept. 13 (4 p.m.) The event, sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, takes place at the Grandstand Arena.
- Rodney Atkins – Sept. 14, Grandstand Arena, 7 p.m. Tickets are $15, $10 and $5 and available at the fair office or through TicketsWest outlets.
- Glen Campbell – Sept. 15, Grandstand Arena, 7 p.m. Tickets are $15, $10 and $5 and available at the fair office or through TicketsWest.
- The Beach Boys, Grandstand Arena, Sept. 16, 7 p.m. Tickets are $15, $10 and $5 and available at the fair office or through TicketsWest.
- Josh Gracin, Grandstand Arena, Sept. 17, 7 p.m. Tickets are $15, $10 and $5 and available at the fair office or through TicketsWest.
- Motor Sports Spectacular, Grandstand Arena, Sept. 18, 7 p.m.
- Motorcycle Fat Track and Lawn Mower Racing, Grandstand Arena, Sept. 19, 1 p.m.
- Compact Car Demolition Derby, Grandstand Arena, Sept. 19, 7 p.m.
- Go Karts and Lawn Mower Racing, Grandstand Arena, Sept. 20, noon
- Full-Sized Car Demolition Derby, Grandstand Arena, Sept. 20, 4 p.m.
Want to go?
Fair admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors 65 and older, and $5 for youth ages 7-13. Children 6 and under get in for free. Fair hours are 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sept. 11-19, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 20. For more information, visit www.interstatefair.org.
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By
Mike Huffman
