Plans shaping up for 2017 Blaine County Fair
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2017 fair goers will see a number of familiar features as well as some new activities. Rodeos are a major part of the fair, as attested to by these to young buckaroos who seem a bit overwhelmed with all the activity at a past Kids' Rodeo. The 2017 Blaine County Fair will run July 12th to July 16th. The Kids' Rodeo will be Wednesday evening, the first night of the fair, with the Bear Paw Roundup PRCA Rodeo following on Thursday and Friday nights.
Reporter's note: I spoke with Wendy Warburton, Blaine County Fair Manager, just before the February monthly meeting of the Fair Board. She said the 2017 fair would be held July 12-16 this coming summer. The schedule will follow the new format that was first introduced last year, but there also some new twists.
Warburton was very excited about plans for the next edition of the fair. While some plans are not finalized, she was able to share some reflections on last year's fair and describe some changes and new activities that will be part of this year's fair.
A quick review of the 2016 fair and some changes for 2017
Scheduled fair events began on Wednesday last year, a change from prior years. The Bear Paw Roundup PRCA Rodeo was held on Thursday and Friday nights of the fair which required some rescheduling to accommodate use of the arena by certain 4-H events and the Kids' Rodeo on Wednesday night. Warburton said, "I didn't hear any pushback about the changed times for some of the 4-H events. I do know the addition of the rodeo to the fair schedule increased attendance for both the fair and the rodeo. The rodeo will be on Thursday and Friday nights again this year."
In 2015 there was no carnival during the fair. The Dreamland Carnival was created specifically to serve fairs along the Hi-Line. 2016 was the first year for Dreamland Carnival to appear in Chinook. Warburton said Dreamland would be back this year with rides from last year plus some additional ones, particularly a merry-go-round, popular with the younger set. Dreamland owners also operate the drive-in movie theater in Laurel and will be including passes to the drive-in with each presale ticket (a little bonus activity when in the Billings area). Warburton said before the fair opens the goal is to sell 1,500 presale tickets which are carnival ride passes at a discounted price.
In addition to the carnival there will be a couple of new features along the midway. A new event, Arena Ball, will be available at the fair for the first time. The sport is played in a 40 x 80 'air dome' and is similar to paintball without the paint. Inflated obstacles in the dome provide the setting for shooting matches and team games. Robot Boxing, another new event separate from the carnival, will also be available. Warburton said with an expanded carnival and related games, some parking adjacent to the carnival may have to be moved. Plans for alternate parking are still not finalized.
A couple of standards will return including Pippi the Clown and the pony rides and petting zoo. Board members said the petting zoo had a 'big surprise' this year but members would not disclose what the surprise might be. (I'm hoping it will be an elephant ride but no one would confirm or deny that).
Other regular events include the Demolition Derby on Saturday, with free musical entertainment in the beer garden following the derby, and Pig Wrestling on Sunday afternoon. Last year the board decided to eliminate the nightly musical programs and replaced added free musical performances by Cale Moon. Warburton said, "Country artist Cale Moon will return this year to provide free entertainment during and after various fair events." She added that Moon was so popular with local fair goers that it seemed a good idea to have him back at least one more year as the featured artist.
Blaine County Fair Foundation in the making
Dale Williams, a member of the Fair Board, told that the creation of a non-profit foundation to serve the fair was nearly completed. He explained the foundation was created to allow donors to make tax deductible donations to support fair events and provide fairground facility upgrades. Warburton said this new non-profit would be important as the Fair Board looks at ways erect an indoor arena. She explained there is a surplus building, acquired by Blaine County from the Air Force, that could be used. Many granting foundations and organizations will only support projects that are under the umbrella of a tax-exempt group. Most grants require some type of matching funds and the foundation would be useful to receive matching funds. A local group is working with the Fair Board to explore the possibilities of an indoor arena at the fairgrounds.
Attention local cooks and bakers!
Warburton said she will be doing some additional promotion of the Open Class-the events where everything from cookies, cakes and pies to canned goods can be entered for judging during the fair. She said, "Last year we focused on getting more local quilters to enter their work at the fair and had a good response. I know there are many great cooks and bakers out there who could compete for the prizes at the fair. We are focusing this year on getting more baked goods and garden products entered into the fair."
Be assured that even though the fair is still five months away, plans are underway to present another great event. The "Journal" will be bringing regular updates about plans for the fair. You can also find updates at http://www.blainecountyfair.net and on Facebook-search for 'Blaine County Fair.'
