PORT TOWNSEND — The three-day Jefferson County Fair opens today, with favorite events being carried over from last year.
Both the team roping events and breakaway roping will return Sunday after being introduced last year.
“Those were new last year, and they seemed to be a real hit, so we brought them back this year,” said Sue McIntire, who co-manages the annual event with her husband, Bill McIntire.
The Jefferson County Fair provides a place to celebrate the rural aspects that make the county special, she said. People buying tickets for the fair earlier this week have made it a point to tell her that, too.
“This week, I’ve had more people come into the office to buy tickets and say this is the best fair,” she said.
“They go to the big state fairs and they love this because it’s so small and family-oriented.
“It’s a real old-time country fair without all the commercial glitz.”
Three days of fair
The fair is open at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 4907 Landes St., from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Saturday. It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Fair admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors 65 and older, $6 for students ages 13 to 17, $2 for children ages 6 to 12 and free for kids 5 and younger.
Some of the most popular events include:
• Draft horse pulls at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
• 4×4 mud drags at 11 a.m. Sunday.
• Barrel racing at 10 a.m. Sunday.
Organizers have worked to make sure there’s music for everyone, with indie, rock, country, folk and bluegrass bands set to perform throughout the weekend.
Today, Greased Lighting, Cats Meow Swing Band and The Ryders will perform. Lobo Del Mar, Wild Berry Pickers, Jessie Leigh Band, Dukes of Dabob and Lucas Rose will take the stage Saturday.
Hundreds of exhibitors will show off livestock this year, an experience Sue McIntire said all children should have.
Professor Bamboozle, a comedic magician, will dazzle his audiences throughout the weekend, she said.
Hands-on activities for the whole family will be featured in each of the buildings, she added.
Because the fair is self-funded, it relies on volunteers to help out. McIntire said anyone who would like to volunteer can stop by the fair office.
For show times, check the gate schedule at www.jeffcofairgrounds.com.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5550, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.
