Fairs

One of the things just about everyone likes about a fair is that it gives the best of everything.

It gives 'city folk' a chance to see a glimpse of their rural neighbors, see livestock they wouldn't see around their neighborhoods and learn about things like local Four-H programs. It lets people of all ages compete for a coveted ribbon in everything from growing a good bunny to baking a world-class pie.

It lets everyone see the latest in commercial products, see fun entertainment, and work (and sometimes fail at) keeping your elephant ear down on some crazy rides.

In this area, there are plenty of fairs and related small-town community festivals.

Two of the biggest are the Spokane County Interstate Fair, considered one of the largest fairs in the Inland Northwest, and the North Idaho Fair, which brings the best of five Idaho counties together each summer.

The newly-expanded Spokane Fair and Expo Center at Broadway and Havana includes 140,000 square feet of exhibition space, livestock facilities, indoor and outdoor arenas, RV camping and parking.

This year, the event is set for Sept. 5-14 and includes entertainers Bowling For Soup, Phil Vassar, and Raven, plus several favorite regional events such as Lumberjack contests, mutton busting, demolition derby and kids' pedal tractor races.

The North Idaho Fair runs Aug. 20-24 at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds in Coeur d'Alene. It also includes a similar blend of commercial events, 4-H display and auctions, a carnival and rides area, and daily entertainment.

This year, the lineup includes motocross races, draft horse show and pull, and more fun.

Both North Idaho and Spokane County offer sanctioned PRCA rodeos.

For more information visit www.northidahofair.com or www.spokanecounty.org/Fair