Grays Harbor County Fair: Country Pride, County Wide

Families are getting ready for the Grays Harbor County Fair with rides, music, food and displays.

Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds held their media day to introduce this year's county fair this past week.

Country Pride, County Wide is the theme of this year's Grays Harbor County Fair that runs August 5 - August 9. The fair will open at 10 am on Wednesday, Aug. 5, holding the opening ceremonies at 5:30 pm with the parade and dedications at 6 pm, this year the fair is dedicated to Mr. Mike Murphy.

Grays Harbor County Fair Manager Mike Brunner greeted members of the local media, Grays Harbor County Commissioners, fair staff and volunteers to the event speaking about what will be coming this season at the Grays Harbor County Fair.

"We always talk about the entertainment that we bring each year, but I also wish to let people remember what brought us here, and fairs like us," said Bruner.

After he had touted the headliners for the fair, Bruner brought back the memories of small county fairs and their heritage. The fruits and vegetables that won big prizes and the fattened sow that people would travel in for. The teens and youth that would bring in their livestock to show off what they had accomplished during the spring and summer seasons to be judged in Best of Show competitions, the pies and jams that would win bragging rights through the following year.

"The history of small fairs served as a showcase for the community, much like our modern fair today and we wish to keep a part of that heritage and celebrate all the youth that are involved with groups like the Elma 4H," said Bruner.

The attending crowd was encouraged to take time and visit the Red Barn this year to see what the 4H clubs have been up to with the raising of small farm animals.

"Each kid involved are very knowledgeable about their project and can tell you anything you wish to know about their animal," said Kelly Peterson, Grays Harbor Fairgrounds Office Manager, "These kids are leaders in our community involved in several things outside of 4H and the program gives them another opportunity to show the community just what they can do for the community."

This year Parmalee will highlight the entertainment for the county fair performing on Thursday night at 8 pm on the Pepsi Stage.

Hotel California, an Eagles Tribute Band will play opening night with Corey Daniels and Humptulips taking the stage on Friday night. Saturday night will be Steel Horse with their tribute to Bon Jovi.

The comedy and magic of Louie Foxx will be a daily offering, twice each day and three shows on Saturday and Sunday. The Olson Brothers will be on the Jodesha Kid Zone Stage for a 1 pm Sunday show.

Professor Bamboozle with Fables of the West will appear daily throughout the run of the fair along with Predators of the Heart and Big D and Bubba will be at the Bigfoot 107.3 booth on Saturday.

The schedule also has plenty of contests from cake decorating to hotdog eating, berry baking and of course the Redneck Olympics on Saturday. Just before the Olympics start, the annual Livestock auction will be running showcasing animals from FFA and 4H clubs. Saturday is also the day to catch a free car race at the Grays Harbor Raceway where your ticket price includes a seat in the grandstands for the local dirt track.

"We are very happy with the new promoters at the track. We have a good working relationship and they have been doing great things out at the track the past couple of seasons," remarked Bruner.

Special days and promotions will be running during the fair with daily ticket prices at: Adult, $10; Seniors (62 and older), $6; Youth (6-15), $6 and Youth (5 and under) Free.

Daily military discount is $2 off ticket price with valid military identification. Kid's Day is Thursday, $1 off all day for youth 6-15. Saturday has free car races and Sunday is free admission from 10-11 am. There is also daily carnival ride wristbands available for $26 (does not include entry to fair), and special Silver Circle seating for Parmalee for $25, includes fair entry and must be purchased prior to opening day at the Grays Harbor Fair Office.

For additional information checkout the updated Grays Harbor Fair website.