By Matthew Nash

Olympic Peninsula News Group

PORT ANGELES — Plenty of animals are on display at the 99th edition of the Clallam County Fair.

The theme of the four-day fair, which began Thursday, is Paws on Parade.

Shari Ioffrida, fair manager, said more than 400 children across the county in 4-H, FFA and other programs exhibit animals at the fair.

About 1,400 people exhibit throughout the fair, including close to 900 youths, bringing in more than 6,000 exhibits.

In addition, vendors sell sweet and fried foods, animals fill the barns, musicians take to the stages, and rides zig-zag in the Port Angeles skyline through Sunday at the fairgrounds, 1608 W. 16th St., next to William R. Fairchild International Airport.

Gates are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Carnival hours are from noon to 10 p.m. today and Saturday and from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Admission each day is $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens (62+) and students (13-17), $5 for children (6-12) and free for youths up to 5 years old. Seasonal admission is $24 for adults, $13 for senior citizens and students and $12 for children, except those 5 and younger, who are admitted free.

The demolition derby at 5 p.m. Sunday will cost $15 in addition to fair admission.

Cheryl Martin, fair superintendent for the home arts, and hobby craft barns, said the fair remains about the people.

“I really enjoy the connection with the community,” she said. “It’s always fun to see what people bring in, and it’s always different.”

That can include anything from a replica miniature hunting cabin to taxidermy to jams to Lego sculptures.

“Obviously, you never know what you’re going to get,” Martin said. “People get so excited seeing a ribbon and sharing that experience with their families, too.”

The horse barns should be fairly full, said LaDona Wilson, fair horse barn superintendent, with upward of 65 horses on display from children and adults.

Wilson said the fair culminates each year as an opportunity for children to achieve their goals and improve as riders and animal owners.

“These kids and their parents work so hard to do this,” she said.

“Sometimes they have a hard ride and may not get the ribbon they wanted. But you get to watch these kids become leaders and handle disappointment. Fair means growth and change for them.”

One key part of the fair is the Junior Livestock auction at noon Saturday in the sheep/swine area, where many FFA/4-H children sell their animals in hopes to pay for more agricultural projects and schooling.

A large portion of the fair is dedicated to entertainment for children. In the Kidzone, Cap’n Arr, a free pirate-themed variety show, runs through Saturday every two hours from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. A fire trailer returns along with Peninsula College. For a fee, children can ride horses, climb a rock wall and/or bungee jump.

Vikki Gasko, a ventriloquist, will perform on the Sunny Farms Stage today and Saturday.

Jet City Extreme Motocross will provide shows today at the grandstands, Ioffrida said.

Ioffrida said each year she’s always excited about the different entertainment options. This year features dozens of acts, such as Storm Rider, a Doors tribute band, at 6 and 8 tonight. The Sunny Farms Center Stage will feature Aspire Academy at 2 p.m. Saturday and Tom and Liam Taylor 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

The fair’s eighth annual Variety and Talent Show features 10 performers vying for $350 in cash prizes at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Some of the other mainstays at the fair’s grandstands include the Logging Show at noon Saturday; the Rodeo at 5 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday; and the Demolition Derby.

Derby tickets will go on sale Sunday morning outside the yellow gate starting at 9 a.m.

The Clallam County Fair operates under Clallam County’s Parks, Fair and Facilities Department with an approximate $380,000 budget for year-round operations in 2018.

Organizers for next year’s 100th non-consecutive year for the fair seek a theme with a chance to win $100, two fair season passes next year, and two fair T-shirts with the theme. Find rules and entry forms at the fair’s information booth.

For more information, see www.clallam.net/Fair or call 360-417-2551.

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Matthew Nash is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach him at mnash@sequimgazette.com.

Ten-year-old McKaylee Anderson of Port Angeles, a member of the Pure Country 4-H Club, sweeps around rabbit cages in the small animal barn at the Clallam County Fairgrounds. The Clallam County Fair began its four-day run in Port Angeles on Thursday with a wide variety of exhibits, activities, food, music and animals. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)