Latah County Fair starts Thursday

A few more vendors, animals, entertainment and carnival rides than in years past will grace the Latah County Fair this year when it opens Thursday.

Fair visitors can enjoy more than 300 animals, 67 commercial vendors and 14 food vendors, including the beer garden, which is open afternoons until the fair wraps up Sunday.

Paradise Amusements, of Coeur d'Alene, will add two new rides - bumper cars and a reverse bungee, or catapult bungee - to the fair this year in addition to its 18 other rides.

Fair Director Jim Logan said feedback from visitors showed people wanted to experience different options at the fair, so organizers are making it bigger and better.

"The more things that there are to do here, the more people can come and have fun," Logan said.

This year's fair theme is "Country Pride County Wide."

Fair hours are 1-10 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Commercial exhibits will close at 9 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Logan said he encourages visitors to walk, bike or carpool to the fair since parking is limited.

FFA and 4-H judging will take place Thursday and Friday, and the FFA and 4-H market animal sale starts at 9 a.m. Saturday. Musical entertainment starts at 1 p.m. Thursday, 10:30 a.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The elk bugling and turkey gobble contest sponsored by the Latah Wildlife Association will start at 1 p.m. Saturday on the main entertainment stage. All interested contestants 10 years and older are encouraged to participate. Categories include ages 10 to 15 and 16 and older.

The fair is free. For information, visit latahcountyfair.com.

Garrett Cabeza can be reached at (208) 883-4631, or by email to gcabeza@dnews.com.