2011 Skagit County Fair Official Guide

A Supplement to the Skagit Valley Herald

OfďŹ cial

2011

Program

!

table oF contents Fairgrounds map............................. 4 Entertainment schedule .................. 5 Knut Bell ....................................... 6 Latino bands .................................. 6 Sponsor Thank You ......................... 7 The Magic of Sterling ...................... 8 Hypnotist Chris Pemberton .............. 9 Marcia Kester ............................... 10 Friendly Lions .............................. 10 Petunia........................................ 11

Kate Schuman ............................. 11 History of the Fair ......................... 12 What is FFA & 4H? ....................... 13 Barrel racing ................................ 14 Arena schedule............................. 14 Animal judging schedule ............... 15 The Violins ................................... 16 All Mixed Up ................................ 16 Swinomish tribal dancers .............. 17 Bad Apples .................................. 18

coVer art: Brian young & alyssa Evenson

The Duntons ................................ 18 Land of Pines ............................... 18 Polecat ........................................ 19 Ali Marcus ................................... 19 Dunking for Shakespeare ............... 20 Fun in the field............................. 20 4-H Underwater Robots ................. 21 Pacific Science Center Exhibit ....... 21 Roberto the Magnificent ................ 21 Animals at the Fair ....................... 22 The Carnival ................................. 22

tiCkEtS Adults (18-64): $7 Advance tickets: $5 Youth (6-17) + Seniors Citizens (65+): $6 Family (2 youth + 2 adults): $20 5 years old & under are FREE ALL TICKETS ARE $3 UNTIL 3 P.M ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10TH! $20 aDVanCE CarniVal tiCkEtS* *Carnival tickets purchased at the Fair Office must be exchanged at the Davis Amusement Carnival’s Ticket Gate’ for one all day bracelet.

Scan this code with your smartphone for more fair information!

Fair loCation, timES & ContaCt inFormation: 1410 Virginia Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 The Skagit County Fair runs August 10-13 Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 10 p.m.

PHonE: (360) 336.9414 WEBSitE: www.SkagitCounty.net/Fair EDITOR DICK CLEVER: dclever@skagitpublishing.com

DESIGN & LAYOUT PATRICIA STOWELL

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR MARK DOBIE: mdobie@skagitpublishing.com

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS LINDA FAHNLANDER: linda@skagitpublishing.com STEPHANIE HARPER : sharper@skagitpublishing.com MARCUS MCCOY : mmccoy@skagitpublishing.com MICHELLE O’DONNELL: modonnell@skagitpublishing.com KATHY SCHULTZ: kschultz@skagitpublishing.com KATIE SUNDERMEYER: ksundermeyer@skagitpublishing.com PAUL TINNON: ptinnon@skagitpublishing.com JOHN WILLIAMS: jwilliams@skagitpublishing.com

DISPLAY ADVERTISING MANAGER DEB BUNDY: dbundy@skagitpublishing.com | 360.416.2126 ADVERTISING OPERATIONS MANAGER SARAH HICKMAN: shickman@skagitpublishing.com ADVERTISING OPERATIONS ASHLEY CRERAR, JODY HENDRIX, ABBY JACKSON, JENNY OVERMAN, CHRISTINA POISAL, PATRICIA STOWELL

SKAGIT PUBLISHING 1215 Anderson Rd. Mount Vernon, WA 98274 P: 360.424.3251 • F: 360.424.5300 ©2011 by Skagit Publishing All rights reserved.

CLEVELAND AVENUE

Carnival Camping

SP

South Ticket Gate Public Parking/ Admission Vehicle Entrance Gate

SP

SP



   

Dog Tent

Floral & Veg Grange Hobbies Baking Photos Fine Arts Educational Display

August 10-13, 2011 – Daily from 10:00 am – 10:00 pm



Exhibitor Camping

Superintendent Parking PASSES REQUIRED





Sheep/Goat Show Ring

SK

DOG Show Ring

Food



HC



Wine Tasting



Beef



WALTER STREET





Public Tent

Dairy

CLEVELAND AVENUE

MINI GOLF

HC

Entrance

HC SP

SP

Virginia St. North Gate Stamped Re-entry only.

NO Ticket Sales.

HAZEL STREET

Main Fair Ticket Gate East Gate - Pedestrians Pedestrians Only

 RR

Display Area

Art/Quilts Sewing

Petting ZooSK SK

Vendors

 

INFO

Vendor Bldg SK



RR

PAVILION Show Ring

Parking REQUIRED

Volunteer Parking PASSES REQ



Public Tent

Food Court

Staff &

Superintendent PASSES

stage

Restroom



SK



 



Horse Barn 2

SP

West Gate #2 Exhibitor Campers Only PASSES REQUIRED

 

Exhibitor Camping

Exhibitor Camping

NOADDMITTANCE ADMITTANCE NO ToNORTH North End TO END AFTER 10PMpm After 10:00

GATES CLOSE AT 10PM

**CARNIVAL** Carnival

SP SP

 

Allison Clark Memorial Arena

Exhibitor Camping

LOST CHILD – GO IMMEDIATELY TO OFFICE



Public Parking

Public Parking

SP

SP

Riding Contestant Parking ONLY PASSES REQUIRED



North

SK – Portable Sinks RR – Permanent Restrooms

Horse Barn 1

TAYLOR STREET

 

West Gate #1 Exhibitor Gate Only PASSES REQUIRED

SP – Standard Event Portable HC – Handicap Portable

Fairgrounds maP

{ 4 } August 10-13, 2011 | Skagit County Fair oFFiCial Program | Skagit Publishing | goskagit.com

entertainment schedule

FriEnDly lionS

katE SCHuman

tHE ViolinS

Wednesday, august 10th

Friday, august 12th

11 a.m. – Friendly lions 12 p.m. – marcia kester Duo W/ Sandy Carter 1 p.m. – the magic of Sterling

11 a.m. – Swinomish Dance group 12 p.m. – Hypnotist Chris Pemberton 1:30 p.m. – Bad apples 2:45 p.m. – roberto the magnificent 3:50 p.m. – Polecat 5:00 p.m. – Hypnotist Chris Pemberton

the Fair Presents

youtH BanD SHoWDoWn 2:15 p.m. – Sleepy lagoon (anacortes) 2:45 p.m. – Vision (Burlington) 3:15 p.m. – Sedro Woolley 3:45 p.m. – lovely Swine (Concrete) 4:30 p.m. – the magic of Sterling 6:00 p.m. – knut Bell 7:30 p.m. – the Violins 8:30 p.m. – land of Pines

the Fair and kSVr radio Presents

latin nigHt 6:30 p.m. – Diamante Sierreno 7:30 p.m. – grupo relaxo 8:30 p.m. – Explosion musical

thursday, august 11th

saturday, august 13th

11 a.m. – kate Schuman 12 p.m. – Petunia 1 p.m. – the magic of Sterling 2:30 p.m. – ali marcus 3:30 p.m. – Duntons 4:30 p.m. – the magic of Sterling 6:00 p.m. – Petunia and the Vipers trio 7:15 p.m. – FortunE 500 8:30 p.m. – Spoonshine

11 a.m. – Chris Eger Band 12:15 p.m. – Hypnotist Chris Pemberton 1:45 p.m. – Queen’s Bluegrass 2:45 p.m. – roberto the magnificent 3:45 p.m. – Elizabeth Hummel Band 5:00 p.m. – Hypnotist Chris Pemberton 6:30 p.m. – rivertalk 8:15 p.m. – all mixed up (80’s/Cars tribute)

goskagit.com goskagit.com || Skagit Skagit Publishing Publishing || Skagit Skagit County County Fair Fair oFFiCial oFFiCial Program Program || August August 10-13, 10-13, 2011 2011

{5}

Knut knows

the heart of Skagit

By Tahlia Honea

the Derailers.

“It’s kind of folk. It’s kind of honkytonk and it’s kind of rockabilly,” Bell described his music. “I call it Honkahillarockabilly.”

I

n between performances from Texas to Tennessee, singer and songwriter Knut Bell is stopping back at home to play for the Skagit County Fair.

“I think it’s great to play in the local fairs,” said Bell, 37, of Mount Vernon. “The fair is such a good way to get into the heart of the community.”

Bell knows the heart of Skagit well, picking tulip bulbs as he grew up here, though his rising popularity keeps him more on the road than at Photo: RBJ PHOTO home.

The self-taught musician’s Whatever the title, Bell’s music most recent album “Wicked, Ornery, is the type that springs crowds to Mean and Nasty” included some of their feet on the dance floor as he his hero’s band members such as sings about anything from outlaws to Redd Volkaert (a Merle Haggard women. guitarist) and Earl Poole Ball (Johnny “Knut grew up in Skagit County, Cash’s pianist). The album was produced by Brian Hofeldt, front man for easily one of the most beautiful

latino bands take to fair stage

T

hree ensembles, including the home-grown Grupo Relaxo, will be performing at the Skagit County Fair’s Latin Night, where fairgoers can enjoy Skagit’s Latin music.

Grupo Relaxo is a five-member band of three brothers and two friends who started out as a garage band in Mount Vernon in 2007.

Drummer Roberto Morales describes Grupo Relaxo’s style as a rhythmic, modern version of “tierra caliente” music. That musical style gets its name from the “hot lands” of Southern Mexico.

In addition to Roberto Morales, the group includes percussionist Juan

places in Western Washington,” wrote Grant “Big Smokey” Johnson, a Nashville country and roots musician and blogger who has played for numerous bands including alternative country singer Jon Langford. “It has shaped his songs and stories.

Knut has a thunderous deep voice and writes great songs that resonate with anyone who takes the time to listen.”

Knut Bell’s current band includes Billy Burns, Steve Smith, Todd Henderson and Pat Rowe, all currently living in the region.

Bell started his band in 2000 while working as a commercial fisherman. Within five years he was able to completely depend on his music to make a living. He said things are looking up for the future as well, although, he wouldn’t divulge the details.

“The time’s come that there are some pretty big things lined up,” he said. “I’m getting really close that I probably won’t be playing very often in Skagit County. I think it’s just going to be impossible.”

Morales, vocalist and bassist Agustin Morales, Ray Solano on the keyboard and Ricardo Gomez as a vocalist and keyboard player.

The members, originally from Mexico, have grown up in Mount Vernon since 1995.

The band is set to record its first album later this summer and has toured throughout the state. The members hope to tour outside Washington in the near future, Roberto Morales said.

Playing to a hometown crowd is special because they see the familiar faces of fans who supported them from the beginning.

“It motivates us to keep on going strong and keep on trying hard,” Roberto Morales said.

The Seattle-based band Explosion Musical is also scheduled to perform.

{ 6 } August 10-13, 2011 | Skagit County Fair Official Program | Skagit Publishing | goskagit.com

goskagit.com | Skagit Publishing | Skagit County Fair Official Program | August 10-13, 2011

{7}

The magical career of

Sterling Dietz

By Kate Martin

A

lready a world traveler at barely 20 years old, Ferndale magician Sterling Dietz returns to the Skagit County Fair to wow and enthrall audiences.

A specialist in stage magic, Sterling

has been known to also surprise people with magic tricks up close, said his father, Rich Dietz.

Rich Dietz has managed Sterling’s magic career since he was 14 years old, when he was named the World Teen Magic Champion.

“He is an entertainer first and a magician second,” Rich Dietz said.

“What he enjoys the most is the stage performances, but he also enjoys close-up magic.”

Sterling had plenty of opportunity to do both last year, when he started an eight-month stint in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, performing for several area resorts.

Sterling wrote about his experiences on his website, www.themagicofsterling.com. To his surprise, many of his shows were for the local people, not just tourists. It soon became his goal to perform in all of the area’s public schools.

“I talked about passion and following your dreams and gave the kids enter-

tainment that most had never seen in their lives,” Dietz wrote on his website.

Dietz, too, was inspired at a young age by Bellingham magician Jeff McBride.

Sterling has earned several awards from his fellow craftsmen, including Seattle Magician of the Year and first place in Las Vegas at the World Magic Seminar. His world travels also included Bolivia and China for the World Olympics of Magic.

While Dietz has made a name for himself in the world of magic, he hasn’t forgotten the region in which he grew up, performing often in the community and setting up four scholarships for graduating students at Lynden High School who want to continue their education in the arts.

This year he is only back for four months — and his schedule is already filling fast with bookings across several states. After that, it’s back to Mexico for another eight-month season.

summer savings for your winter comfort Encore Two In One Wood Burning Stove

Unlike any other wood stove on the market today! Heats up to 2000 square feet.

From $2499

Only $1429 Majestic Oxford OXDV30 Gas Stove

Heats up to 1500 square feet

TAX CREDITS UP TO $300 See store for details

17737 State Route 536 • Mount Vernon, WA

“We’re working hard for your comfort”

360-428-0969 • 1-800-367-1359 • www.handysheating.com Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-5:30 • Sat. 9-5, Closed Sundays

{ 8 } August 10-13, 2011 | Skagit County Fair Official Program | Skagit Publishing | goskagit.com

Pemberton

puts audiences to sleep in a fun way

By Aaron Burkhalter

H

ypnotist Chris Pemberton is not the star of his show.

When he takes the stage at this year’s Skagit County Fair, his goal is to showcase teens and young adults who volunteer to take the stage.

We buy carspaid for or not!

“The main reason people like it is people get to be the stars of the show,” Pemberton said.

The Seattle-area hypnotist says he likes to stand back so the people he’s brought on can shine. That’s what they want, he says. Most people who volunteer to be hypnotized want to be on the stage performing, and he gives them that opportunity.

Pemberton’s show runs about an hour. He invites people — mostly ages 15 to 22, because they are more motivated to be the center of attention — to take the stage, relax and then act like movie stars, models and pop singers.

It makes for compelling theater.

Pemberton should know — he studied drama at the University of Washington.

The young people have an authentic desire to perform, which makes the process enjoyable to them and entertaining to the audience.

“They’re just trying to do the best job they possible can,” Pemberton said.

ALL NEW!

2012 Honda Civic

“Those are the best people to have in your show.”

He said it’s all in good fun. It has to be, or no one will participate.

“You get people up on stage, and you give them the feeling that you’re as non-threatening as possible,” Pemberton said. “You don’t make fun of them, you make sure they have fun.”

Pemberton started learning hypnosis about 10 years ago after watching a stage show.

“I thought, I have to learn how to do that,” Pemberton said.

So he hired drama students at the University of Washington for $10 an hour to practice.

He learned in the process that this is more about entertainment than psychology. People can’t delve too deep into their own psyche in front of an audience, but they might shed that last bit of inhibition and really dive into the command Pemberton has given them, whether it’s singing like Britney Spears or walking like a super model.

LOW, LOW Skagit Sales Tax!

Proven Leadership Experience Vision for the Future 39 mpg Highway, 28 mpg City (1) Low Skagit Valley Sales Tax Saves You Money!

www.SIMSHONDA.com 1-800-745-7467 or 360-757-7467

1615 S. Goldenrod Road • Burlington, WA E-mail sales@simshonda.com • service@simshonda.com (1) Based on 2012 EPA mileage estimates. Used for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

otos4mayor.com Paid for by the Committee to Elect Larry Otos P.O. Box 2838 Mount Vernon, WA 98273

goskagit.com | Skagit Publishing | Skagit County Fair Official Program | August 10-13, 2011

{9}

Photo: photorichard.com

Marcia Kester-heat, honey, Delta hardscrabble

M

arcia Kester Duo blends acoustic and electric sounds covering songs of musicians such as Patsy Cline, Wynonna Judd and Bonnie Raitt.

The lead singer, Marcia Kester

describes her voice as telling a story: “the heat, the honey and a bit of Delta hardscrabble.” She will be accompanied at the fair by steel and electric guitar player Sandy Carter.

Kester came to music late in life, finally fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a musician at 42 years old.

She says she has a vocal texture that falls somewhere between Patsy Cline and Bonnie Raitt and on towards the Shania Twain zone. Her arrangements add a modern flavor to classic songs, a taste of rock in the country tunes and a dash of country in the rock.

She can frequently be seen performing in various venues around Skagit County, at public events and festivals, in lounges and at elder care centers. She also continues to work at a manufacturing company in Burlington.

“Performing music for all types of audiences and in all kinds of venues is where my passion currently lies,” she wrote on her website. “I cannot imagine ever going back. From ongo-

ing monthly visits to several elderly care facilities ... to fairs and festivals, and private parties such as birthdays and weddings ... my dream in life is being fulfilled daily.”

Soothing sounds of

Friendly Lions

M

atney Cook and Kyle FindleyMeier, of Conway, make up the Northwest folk duo The Friendly Lions.

Their original songs blend their earthy voices as harmony with strong, folk-style guitar melodies.

The two musicians both grew up in Conway and started playing instruments at a young age. The two met through mutual musical friends and began melding their solo performances into one.

Matney describes herself as having a vocal style shaped and inspired by jazz but heavily influenced by honkey tonk and folk. Her song writing varies

{ 10 } August 10-13, 2011 | Skagit County Fair Official Program | Skagit Publishing | goskagit.com

from “waltzy tunes and heartfelt love songs to uplifting ballads and sassy country numbers.”

They frequently play local venues such as the Conway Muse.

The Friendly Lions are influenced by both classic and new folk bands such OVERFLOW: as Neil Young, Bonnie Raitt, the Fleet Foxes, the Flaming Lips and Johnny Cash.

The Friendly Lions are currently finishing their first full length album.

For quirky, multi-styled music, pick Petunia

By Tahlia Honea

P

etunia began his musical career on the street corners and subway platforms of North America and is now touring internationally.

The Canadian Petunia sings quirky music, a combination of yodeling, folk, jazz and bluegrass topped off with a kazoo perfect for the setting of the county fair.

Petunia, whose real name is not public, told What’s Up Magazine that one person described him as “Tom Waits meets Elvis at Woody Guthrie’s hobo junction.”

A New York Post writer once noticed Petunia, now living in Vancouver British Columbia, on the 14th Street platform of the subway back when he struggled to find gigs. The writer described him as singing “foot-tapping country and western laced with rock and jazz.”

Soon, Petunia was booked all over Canada, the U.S. and abroad. He has been playing music professionally for 10 years and has six CDs. His band The Vipers changed as he traveled, but has stayed the same for the past two years as he stayed in Vancouver.

The roots music sounds like it comes from times past with a wide variety of styles drawing heavy influence from the rockabilly and western swing. Reviews say the music is unique, danceable and energizing.

“Every once in a while, you stumble into a bar, or a pub or around a street corner and the unexpected hits you,”

said an Alberta, Canada radio D.J. Greg Callsen of Petunia’s live show.

“Sometimes you run into something so powerful, so chilling, so good and so unexpected you don’t know what the hell to do other than hoot, holler and yell for more.”

His summer concert schedule includes several numerous performances in southwest Canada, Bellingham and in Skagit County. Later in the year, he will travel down through Oregon and California for performances.

Petunia and the Vipers music video “Cold Heart Breaker” recently aired on Bravo Television. They now have six albums, the last of which was released as a two-song 45 record earlier this year.

kate Schuman ranges from country to R&B to jazz

K

ate Schuman’s songs vary from country ballads to R & B, along with some jazz.

Schuman lives in Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands - a quiet and remote place ideal for song writing.

Her album “You only go ‘round once” are all written and performed by her and recorded with Nashville musicians.

Schuman’s lyrics delve into human emotion, singing about everything from grief and humility to sibling affection.

“None of these songs are about me, really, or anyone I know,” she said.

“They may start out with an idea from someone or something that’s happened to someone, but then they get much broader, less personal. I like that, because then more people can call a song theirs.”

Her catchy music could be compared to classic female folk stars like Emmylou Harris and Joni Mitchell.

Schuman grew up in South Seattle and played in a rock band in high school, but took a long break from music until her 30s when she began playing guitar and taking voice lessons.

The Island Sounder described her album as filled with “all the poetry, poignancy and lyricism of the best of country music, also laced with her sense of humor.”

A Ceremony of Remembrance Honor the past - Plant the seeds for the future

World Premier of Commissioned Music: Children’s Choir Brass Band Orchestra Bagpipes Choir McIntyre Hall Mount Vernon

Saturday • Sept 10

1:00pm • 4:00pm • 7:30pm

Sunday • Sept 11

1:00pm • 4:00pm • 7:30pm

www.remembering911.com Call for ticket prices or visit www.McIntyreHall.org

360.416.7727 ext. 2

A brief history of the Skagit County Fair

By Bret lunsford

H

ow many fairs has Skagit County had? That depends on when you count from. What is Fair month? It has occurred in October, September, and most often in August.

While1998 was celebrated as the Skagit County Fair’s centennial year, but it probably was not the 100th Skagit County Fair. In 1901 a new fair association was formed by H.A. March, Emerson Hammer, N.J. Moldstad (President) and others who established a four day October event in Mount Vernon. Moldstad’s grandson Kelley is a Fair advisory member; his copy of the 1902 Premium book is titled the “Second Annual Fair and Races.”

For most of the latter 20th Century, each year’s official fair program counted back to 1911 as the first Skagit County Fair; this was the year the Fair moved to Burlington on grounds located at the current site of Fred Meyer. Horse races and

car races were on the program and photographs of these events will be on display at this year’s Fair.

Following the 1930 Skagit County Fair, the Great Depression caused the event to be scaled back substantially. Until after WWII, it was referred to as the Skagit County and 4-H Fair, and in 1938 it was located at Union High School in Sedro-Woolley, which hosted the Fair for most of the decade. In 1941 the event was relocated to the “new 4-H Fair Grounds” in Mount Vernon for the “Tenth Annual” Fair.

Based on the gap in the archive of premium books, the Skagit County Fair was suspended for most of the WWII years. By 1945 the fairground had been renamed the “Evergreen Classic Pavilion” for the “Twelfth Annual” Fair. After 1949, premium books no longer referenced the 1931 starting date, and after 1959 the name “Evergreen Classic Pavilion” was also dropped. From 1960 on the site was listed as the “Skagit County Fair Grounds.”

In the 1980s they began counting back to the 1911 fair as the start of it all: “75 Years and On The Move” was the theme for the 1986 Fair, which is about when the name “Fair Grounds” was contracted, becoming “Fairgrounds.”

Things got confusing in the nineties, when they referred to a first fair in 1900 and the theme for 1995 was “We’re 95 in ‘95”.

But that count changed with millennial fever or some other determination that 1898 was the year of the first Skagit County Fair. In 1998 the event was declared the Centennial Fair, and the commemorative mugs, shirts and posters were put into production .

So how does one answer the inevitable questions about how many Skagit County Fairs we’ve had? It appears that 1898 was the year of the first known fair in Skagit County, despite early references to a fair association forming in 1890. Chances are that a county fair has not occurred in every year between 1898 and today, so it is safest to call our 2011 event the 113th Anniversary of the Skagit County Fair. Now you know.

FFa and 4-h at the Fair the 4-H tradition Skagit County has a long and strong 4-H tradition. Approximately 500 youth between grades K through 12 are educated by around 100 leaders throughout the county.

A wide variety of projects are offered. From the popular horses and dogs projects to woodworking, gardening, robotics, drama and wildlife, the 4-H program has something for everyone. The program is active year-round and teaches youth responsibility, confidence, and general life skills through project participation.

The Skagit County 4-H programs are delivered by the WSU 4-H Extension Educator William Freitas and the 4-H Program Coordinator Jean Swift. The 4-H volunteers are dedicated, caring adults who work in cooperation with the county extension office.

4-H is built upon the principles of developing belonging, mastery, generosity and independence.

Youth, ages 5 - 19, participate in Washington through community clubs, after-school / school enrichment programs, and day / overnight camps.

Kids can choose from a wide variety of subject areas---everything from computer technology to the arts, and from robotics to plant and animal sciences.

The 4-H program is a voluntary, non-formal, educational program offered to all boys and girls regardless of race, color, national origin, place of residence, or handicap.

The curriculum is science-based and developed at our nation’s land-grant universities. 4-H programs are delivered by Washington State University educators in every county alongside 10,000 caring adult volunteers.

FFa in the schools The National FFA Organization offers this motto to members: “Learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live, living to serve.”

Founded in 1928, the FFA brought together students, teachers and agribusiness interests to solidify support for agricultural education. In Kansas City’s Baltimore Hotel, 33 young farmboys charted the course for the organization, which now boosts almost half a million members in more than 7,000 chapters nationwide.

Today, the National FFA Organization remains committed to the individual student, providing a path to achievement in premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

Now the organization is expanding the country’s view of “traditiona” agriculture and finding new ways to infuse agriculture into the classroom.

More than 7,000 chapters are managed on a local, state and national level. Each chapter’s program of activities is designed with the needs of the student in mind. Activities vary greatly from school to school, but are based in a well-integrated curriculum.

The agricultural science education program is built on the three core areas of classroom/laboratory instruction, supervised agricultural experience programs and FFA student organization activities and opportunities. The organization holds a federal charter, and two of the top three FFA executives are employed by the U.S. Department of Education. The organization covers more than 300 careers in the goskagit.com | Skagit Publishing | Skagit County Fair Program | August 10-13, 2011 { 13 } food, fiber andoFFiCial natural resources industry.

6:30 - 7:00 7:00 - 7:30 Horse Bowl Test 7:30 - 8:00 Set-up Bareback 8:00 - 8:30 8:30 - 9:00 Set-upgoing Roping Club clerk Kathy Peth said barrel races with prize money 9:00 - 9:30 Set-up Trails the event is scaled back from a tradiout to various rider levels.

9:30 - 10:00 Showmanship Equitation All Exhibitors tional rodeo, but actually features more The racers take less English than 30 sec10:00 - 10:30 Start 8 am 10:30 - 11:00 Barrel Flags things directly 2related to the American onds to zipat around three barrels in Round #1 & #2 11:00 - 11:30 Games Exercise tradition of cattle ranching. She said a clover-leaf pattern. Riding Club Exercise 11:30 - 12:00 PM Performance these President Kristen Hinton said the top Medals are real skills ranchers would 12:00 - 12:30

By Aaron Burkhalter use to deal with steers. racers will finish in about 16 seconds.

Performance Exercise English Pleasure 12:30 - 1:00 1:00 - 1:30 “There will be more local competitors That evening’s show will also feature 1:30 -racing 2:00 Exercise oping and barrel will be than there would be at the rodeo,” Peth a drill team of riders who Exercise perform 2:00 - 2:30 Barrels Barrels part of this year’s Skagit County complicated said.

“You’re much more likely to see riding patterns.

Western Equitation Round #1 Round #2 2:30 - 3:00 Fair, complete with prize money somebody you know competing.”

“It’s breathtaking,” Hinton said. “They 3:00 - 3:30 Games Exercise #1 &very #2 in some events. 3:30 - 4:00 Hinton said there would be no lack are going at full speedPoles andRound doing Western Pleasure Vet Check The fair’s theme is4:00 “Back - 4:30Home Unfinished Event or of talent, because some of the best intricate moves on horseback.”

3 to 7 pm Funan Game 4:30 -that 5:00 means Set-up at the Skagit Fair,” and racers live within hour of Skagit Saturday evening will Performance feature Exercise team 5:00 - 5:30 focusing on local talent.

County. roping, in which two people take down Key Round #1 & #2 5:30 - 6:00 Figure 8 An event called Friday Night Lights “I think that’s5:30 going to be a huge plus a steer by the head and heels. pm Arena Round #1 & #2 6:00 - 6:30 Exercise 5 to pm it,” Arena Events: will feature the area’s she said. “We have some of the Skagit Valley Roping Club will orga4 to 7PM Performance Exercise 6:30best - 7:00 equestrian Events: Flag Ceremony, bestFlag barrel racers right here in the talent from the Pacific The nize the contest that should feature 7:00 Northwest.

- 7:30 Exercise Ceremony, Barrel Team Roping International - 8:00will hold dozens of areaFlags ropers.

Skagit Valley Riding7:30 Club Northwest.”

Racing and Youth Competition and Round #1 & #2 8:00 - 8:30 and Open Race Skagit Rein Riders Exhibitor's Unfinished Event or 8:30 - 9:00 Drill Team Meeting 8 to 9 pm Fun Game 9:00 - 9:30 Unfinished Event or Fun Game Wash Rack Open 9:30 - 10:00

Barrel racing

R

2011 Arena Schedule

Please note: Schedule times are tentative and rely on the timely conclusion of each class.

Time 5:00 - 5:30 5:30 - 6:00 6:00 - 6:30 6:30 - 7:00 7:00 - 7:30 7:30 - 8:00 8:00 - 8:30 8:30 - 9:00 9:00 - 9:30 9:30 - 10:00 10:00 - 10:30 10:30 - 11:00 11:00 - 11:30 11:30 - 12:00 PM 12:00 - 12:30 12:30 - 1:00 1:00 - 1:30 1:30 - 2:00 2:00 - 2:30 2:30 - 3:00 3:00 - 3:30 3:30 - 4:00 4:00 - 4:30 4:30 - 5:00 5:00 - 5:30 5:30 - 6:00 6:00 - 6:30 6:30 - 7:00 7:00 - 7:30 7:30 - 8:00 8:00 - 8:30 8:30 - 9:00 9:00 - 9:30 9:30 - 10:00

Tuesday, August 9

Wednesday August 10

Thursday, August 11

Exercise 5:30 to 7 am

Exercise 5:30 to 7 am Horse Bowl Test

Friday, August 12

Saturday, August 13

Exercise 5:30 to 7:30 am

Exercise 5:30 to 7:30 am

Set-up Bareback

Set-up Showmanship All Exhibitors Start at 8 am

Trails English Equitation Exercise

Games Exercise Performance Medals

English Pleasure Exercise

Exercise

Western Equitation Games Exercise Vet Check 3 to 7 pm

Exercise 4 to 7PM

Wash Rack Open

Barrels Round #1

Set-up

Performance Exercise

Key Round #1 & #2

Figure 8 Round #1 & #2

Performance Exercise

Unfinished Event or Fun Game

Barrels Round #2

Poles Round #1 & #2

Exercise Exhibitor's Meeting 8 to 9 pm

2 Barrel Flags Round #1 & #2

Performance Exercise

Western Pleasure

International Flags Round #1 & #2

Set-up

Unfinished Event or Fun Game

Unfinished Event or Fun Game

5 pm Arena Events: Flag Ceremony, Barrel Racing and Youth and Open Race

5:30 pm Arena Events: Flag Ceremony, Team Roping Competition and Skagit Rein Riders Drill Team

Please note: Schedule times are tentative and rely on the timely conclusion of each class.

{ 14 } August 10-13, 2011 | Skagit County Fair Official Program | Skagit Publishing | goskagit.com

2011 Animal Judging Schedule 4-H Shows first followed by FFA 07/21/11 07/15/11 07/15/11

Entries for Junior Livestock Sale Due Entries for Skagit County Fair Due LEADERS and ADVISORS and OPEN CLASS EXHIBITORS – Entry Pass Packets Due Dog 4-H Arena Set Up Dog 4-H Club Set Up Sheep and Goat Vet Check Dairy Cattle, Beef Cattle and Swine Vet Check Weigh in With Pictures for Junior Livestock Show (Lambs will be weighed and photographed in sheep barn) Dog 4-H Showmanship Beef Cattle FFA/4-H Fitting and Showing Type to Follow Poultry 4-H Type Skagit Junior Livestock Show Record Books Due Goats 4-H/FFA Fitting and Showing Type to Follow Rabbit/Cavy 4-H Cage Decorations 4-H Dairy Foods Contest (times are tentative) 4-H Rabbit and Cavy Judging Contest 4-H Dairy Demonstrations (times are tentative) Swine 4-H/FFA Fitting and Showing Type to Follow

Brian Raupp ONLINE FORMS ONLINE

08/07/11 08/09/11 08/09/11 08/09/11 08/09/11

2 PM – 9 PM 3PM-8:30PM 5:00 PM

08/10/11 08/10/11

All Day 9:00 AM

08/10/11 08/10/11 08/10/11

9:00 AM 9:30 AM 10:00 AM

08/10/11 08/10/11 08/11/11 08/10/11 08/10/11

10:00 AM 10:00 AM 3:00 PM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM

08/10/11 08/10/11 08/10/11 08/10/11 08/10/11 08/10/11

2:00 PM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM

08/11/11 08/11/11

All Day 9:00 AM

08/11/11

9:00 AM

08/11/11 08/11/11 08/11/11 08/11/11 08/11/11 08/11/11 08/11/11 08/11/11 08/11/11

10:45 AM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 5:00 PM 5:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM

08/12/11 08/12/11 08/12/11 08/12/11 08/12/11 08/12/11 08/12/11 08/12/11

6 AM–10 PM 6 AM–10 PM All Day

08/12/11 08/12/11

TBD (Follows Cavy) 1:00 PM

08/12/11

1:00 PM

Open Class Rabbit Show / with 4-H

08/12/11

2:00 PM

Sale Set Up

Pavilion

08/12/11 08/12/11 08/13/11 08/13/11 08/13/11 08/13/11

4:00 PM 6:30 PM All Day

Sheep/Goat Arena Pavilion

9:00 AM 11:00 AM

08/13/11 08/13/11 08/13/11

12:00 PM 2:00 PM 9:00 PM

Lads and Ladies Lead – Open Class Sheep Livestock Sale Dog 4-H Obedience Dog 4-H Costume Open Class Sheep Show 4-H Rabbit & Cavy Costumes Talent to Follow Open Class Beef Cattle Show 4-H Rabbit and Cavy Races Haul Out – All Animals

10:00 AM 10:30 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 AM

Poultry 4-H Showmanship 4-H Dog Bowl 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl (times are tentative) 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging 4-H Performing Arts Contest 4-H/FFA Dairy Judging Followed by Oral Reasons Dog 4-H Obedience Dairy Cattle 4-H/FFA Fitting and Showing Type to Follow Sheep 4-H/FFA Fitting and Showing Type to Follow 4-H Beef Demonstrations 4-H Beef Bowl 4-H Rabbit Bowl, 4-H Cavy Bowl to Follow Dog 4-H Costume 4-H Dairy Awards 4-H Beef Awards 4-H Round Robin FFA Round Robin Haul Out of FFA/4-H Animals (Does not include animals staying for open class and livestock sale) Sheep and Goat Vet Check Dairy Cattle, Beef Cattle and Swine Vet Check Dog 4-H Showmanship Dog 4-H Showmanship - Run Off Open Class Goat Show Open Class Dairy Cattle Show Open Class Cavy Show / with 4-H Cavy 4-H Fitting and Showing Type to Follow Rabbit 4-H Fitting and Showing Type to Follow Open Class Fitting and Showmanship with Type to Follow

Dog Area Behind Sheep Barn Behind Pavilion Tent between Beef and Swine Barns Dog Area Pavilion Building E FFA Office Sheep/Goat Arena Small Animal Show Ring Pavilion Small Animal Show Ring Pavilion Swine Barn Building E Dog Area Pavilion Pavilion 4-H Building Pavilion Dog Area Pavilion Sheep/Goat Arena Pavilion Pavilion Small Animal Show Ring Dog Area Pavilion Awards Pavilion Pavilion Barns Behind Sheep Barn Behind Pavilion Dog Area Dog Area Sheep/Goat Arena Pavilion Small Animal Show Ring Small Animal Show Ring Small Animal Show Ring Pavilion – Swine Arena Small Animal Show Ring

Sheep/Goat Arena Small Animal Show Ring Pavilion Small Animal Show Ring Barns

goskagit.com | Skagit Publishing | Skagit County Fair Official Program | August 10-13, 2011

{ 15 }

The young

Violins

love to perform outdoors

By Kate Martin

T

he five members of the band “The Violins” have become more focused in the past year and a half, said bass player and singer Stephen Steen.

Steen, a graduate of Anacortes High, said the band wanted to play more consistent shows and record

All Mixed Up pays homage to the 1980s

more songs. This summer they will play at the Skagit County Fair, and Steen said the band is looking forward to it.

“We love playing outside, especially when the weather is nice,” Steen said.

And bringing the band’s powerpop sound to a few more ears could be a reward all on its own. Of the five members, three write songs and four perform vocals, ensuring the sound stays fresh.

“We’re really comfortable playing music with each other, and it makes the writing process a lot of fun,” Steen said.

Band members include fellow

M

embers of the Seattle-area band All Mixed Up take the stage wearing black skinny ties and Converse All Star tennis shoes paying homage to the 1980s music scene.

Anacortes High grads Mike Ferrario on guitar and vocals, and drummer Sterling Laws, who just graduated in the spring. Guitarist and vocalist Tyler Jones and keyboardist and vocalist Katie Jennings round out the group.

While the band members are young — aged 17 through 23 — they have a lot of experience, Steen said.

Laws started at age 10 in a band called Squid vs. Shark, and Steen and Ferrario were in choir together during high school.

Their 11-track album, released in March, can be heard at http://theviolins.bandcamp.com. Albums will also be on sale at the fair.

The band plays a collection of wellknown new wave and pop songs from the 1980s, with a special emphasis on the music of The Cars.

Bassist Jim Freeman said the band started with a conversation with drum-

Fresh Flowers & Exceptional Gifts!

Open year round, RoozenGaarde offers unique gifts for the home and garden. We also ship our flowers anywhere in the USA - overnight!

Open Daily Year Round!

Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-6pm Sun/Holidays 11am-4pm 15867 Beaver Marsh Rd. 360-424-8531 www.tulips.com

{ 16 } August 10-13, 2011 | Skagit County Fair Official Program | Skagit Publishing | goskagit.com

mer Carl Lovgren about The Cars’ first album. They wanted to get some musicians together to play the entire album.

Freeman said The Cars’ self-titled album was iconic for him and other members of the band.

“It was on all the time when I was in high school,” he said. “A lot of people in their 30s and 40s had that same experience.”

What started as a fun one-off activity turned into a new venture for the band.

They’ve added The Cure, Billy Idol, Men at Work, Simple Minds and others to their repertoire. Freeman said their style ranged from power pop to new wave.

Freeman said all four members share lead vocal duties, taking on their own favorites from the 1980s.

He said it’s not a kitche act, however.

The band’s goal is to perform great music, not parody a generation.

“We’re not over-the-top impersonators,” Freeman said. “We keep it as real as we can.”

Swinomish Tribal Dancers

A

bout 80 children will introduce fair-goers to Swinomish tribal culture as they share traditional dances at 11 a.m. Friday.

The performers are aged seven to 18 years old and, in addition to educating the public on their ancestral traditions, they are rejuvenating their own tribal community.

“We are bringing back songs and

dances to the Swinomish tribe that have not been used since the late’60s,” said Aurelia Washington of the Swinomish Tribal Community. “We’re revitalizing our culture through this process. It’s a way of healing.”

The performers are learning proper etiquette and a respect for their history, Washington said, as well as the responsibilities of traditional regalia and sacred drums.

The tribe is trying to return to the ways of its ancestors, Washington said.

In addition to the 45-minute performance, the Swinomish Tribal Community will also present an educational display that will include a canoe and paddles for the public to see. There will also be information on the history of the Swinomish people and how they hunted, fished and found means of survival.

General Family Practice with Diabetes Education & Treatment • Using Herbal Medicine, Nutrition, Massage Keen Newport H2

A comfortable, rugged sandal that gives feet the freedom of sandals with patented toe guard that absorbs collision with rocks, roots and curbs.

Flexible back strap wraps snugly around your heel. A non-marking, multi-terrain lug sole gives you traction on slippery decks or uneven trails.

Women's Navy, Slate Black, Dk Citron, Living Coral, Gargoyle Men's Black, India Ink, Black Olive

• Addressing food allergies, environmental toxins, and hormone levels • Treating conditions such as Fatigue, Arthritis, Bronchitis, Acid Reflux, Menopause, Hypothyrodisim, and Stress

Dr. Debra Clapp

Naturopathic Physician Holistic Individual Approach

1213 14th St. Anacortes

360.299.9038

ShoeS and Clothing DOWNTOWN BURLINGTON 420 EAST FAIRHAVEN

360-755-0570 • Mon-Sat 9-6 goskagit.com | Skagit Publishing | Skagit County Fair Official Program | August 10-13, 2011

{ 17 }

the bad aPPles duntons are a are really good eggs

local bluegrass favorite

W

O

hat do you get when you gather eight music teachers, principals and retired faculty from the Anacortes School District and let them play music by Johnny Cash, the Doobie Brothers and Pretenders?

The Bad Apples, a covers band that started out as a three-man act for a Parent Teacher Association event.

Whitney Elementary School Principal Kevin Schwartz said the band started just for fun, playing the occasional PTA event. Now they play area evnts like the Anacortes Music Festival and the Skagit County Fair.

The name is a play on the symbolic apple one gives to the teachers, with a tongue-in-cheek reference perhaps to their out-of-the-classroom behavior.

Schwartz said they play all covers reflecting the musical taste of the members.

“We play whatever anyone in the bands likes,” he said. “Mostly it’s just kind of rock and country with some blues mixed in there.”

The small trio has grown into a super group since that first PTA event, featuring drums, bass, keyboards, two guitars and three singers.

ne bluegrass act won’t have to travel far to wow crowds at the Skagit County Fair. Regulars in Anacortes, the Dunton Sisters -- now calling themselves simple “Duntons” -- have performed at the fair several times in the past few years.

The five-member act all have years of experience with their instruments, and the two sisters, Jen on guitar and Bev on mandolin, have sung and played together since they were children under the tutelage of their mother, Gae Dunton, who also plays in the band on the string bass.

Other band members include Michael Savatgy on the five-string banjo and Bryan Thurber on the violin, who also have years of musical experience and unique styles of their own.

Both Jen and Bev are also accomplished flautists who perform with their mother in a classical trio.

The group has been popular in Anacortes for years, and have performed at the Rockfish Grill, often filling the establishment when they were slated to play.

The sisters come from a long line of performers — their grandfather played in a gospel quartet and their father was a singer, pianist and guitarist — and have an understandably long line of followers in Skagit County.

Taste Local Wines from 3 Vineyards Explore the unique flavors of Skagit Valley At the Fair, by the Main Stage!

Eagle Haven Winery & Vineyards Fri-Mon 11am-5pm & by appointment

Challenger Ridge Winery & Vineyards Sat-Sun 11am-5pm & by appointment

360.856.6248

360.853.7360

Tulip Valley Vineyard & Orchard May-Oct Fri-Mon 11am-5pm & by appointment

360.428.6894

lanD oF PinES

land oF Pines -winner of college battle of bands

L

and of Pines music has been termed indie rock, said co-lead singer Kessiah Gordon, but there’s enough leeway in the genre to forge a sound of your own.

The band’s members, aged 18 through 23, make time between their busy work and school schedules to craft tunes and delight audiences across the country. They’ve played all over Washington and Oregon state, and have made trips to Ohio and New York.

Their hard work paid off in mid-June, when Land of Pines won the 2011 College Battle of the Bands in Los Angeles. The contest included bands from more than 100 colleges and universities nationwide.

“It was an amazing and wonderful experience,” said Kessiah Gordon, a lead singer.

The band’s drummer, Kyle Holland, had experience at the 2010 battle, when his band, The Oregon Donor of Anacortes, made it to the finals but didn’t capture the crown. That band broke up just as Land of Pines sought a new drummer, Gordon said.

The band also includes Gordon’s lifelong friend Evan Easthope, her co-singer. Keyboardist Spencer Miller is the band’s most recent addition, and its youngest at age 18. Miller had been a “superfan” of Land of Pines, Gordon said. Spencer Miller rounds out the band on the bass.

{ 18 } August 10-13, 2011 | Skagit County Fair oFFiCial Program | Skagit Publishing | goskagit.com

PolECat

Polecat plays

good-time music

B

ellingham bluegrass band Polecat aims to entertain audiences with their music about “life, love and good times” at the Skagit County Fair this year.

The band formed in March 2010 and has since played more than 100 shows and released two records, a self-titled E.P. and their full-length album, “Fire on the Hill.”

Though tagged as a bluegrass ensemble, Polecat blends elements of country, celtic, rock and world music into their music.

The band includes drummer Karl Olson, electric guitarist and vocalist Jeremy Elliott, vocalist and 12-string guitarist Aaron Guest, fiddler Cayley Schmid and upright bassist Richard Reeves.

They have performed with nationallyknown groups such as The Infamous Stringdusters, The Hackensaw Boys, The Moondoggies and Trampled by Turtles.

The band has spent this spring touring the state and performing in Bellingham, Seattle, Chelan, Wenatchee and Twisp, as well as in Anacortes at the Anacortes Waterfront Festival.

More information about Polecat, including a tour schedule and video of live performances, can be found at www.polecatbluegrass.com.

ali marCuS

anacortes-based folk singer

ali marcus

A

li Marcus is no stranger to Skagit County, so people attending the fair this year might hear some familiar tunes wafting through the air.

The Anacortes folk singer, originally from northern Virginia, said she’s played at the Mount Vernon Farmers Market, Sedro-Woolley’s Riverfront Park and is a regular at La Conner’s Seeds Bistro and Bar.

Marcus arrived in Seattle several seasons ago for “no reason at all. I was attracted to the music scene but didn’t have any plans.”

That aspect of her life has changed for the better. Her weekends this summer are completely booked, according to her website, www.alimarcus.com.

Her sound has been compared to folk stars such as Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Patty Griffin.

Marcus said she’s been performing her whole life, and started piano at age 4.

“I started a band in middle school,” she said. “That’s when I started to figure out how to play the guitar and it sort of went from there.”

NEW VENDOR PASSPORT PROGRAM AT THE FAIR There will be a new vendor passport program this year at the Fair! Participants will be able to turn in a fully stamped card from vendor booth visits and be eligible to win a cool prize donated by the vendors themselves! There will be 2-3 prize drawings per day on the main stage. Come check it out!

Clean. Pure.

Simple.

Dahlman Pump & Well Drilling, Inc. Drilling . Pumps . Sales . Service . Filtration .

DAHLMPW123LC

17313 Cook Rd. Bow, WA 360.757.6666 | 1.800.277.4898

www.dahlmanpump.com

goskagit.com | Skagit Publishing | Skagit County Fair oFFiCial Program | August 10-13, 2011

{ 19 }

dunking for Shakespeare

E

ver dreamed of sending your principal or a mayoral candidate plunging into a tank of cold water?

Skagit County Fair organizers are hoping to give festival goers that chance this year, placing local leaders in the hot seat for the dunk tank, an activity that will benefit Shakespeare Northwest.

“We’re hoping for principals, maybe some mayoral candidates,” said Event Coordinator Aric Gaither. “I’d like to see an umpire up there, in uniform.”

In early July, he and other fair staff were still working to find people to put in the dunk tank.

He has enlisted a number of well-known local volunteers to be dunked.

He hopes to grab all of the candidates running for Mount Vernon Mayor. So if you don’t like one candidate’s proposal for flood management, you can let him or her know with a well-aimed ball.

But if politics aren’t your thing, the booth will also be staffed by members of Shakespeare Northwest whenever a local community member is unavailable.

Let your inner theater critic run wild, sending actors into the drink and then asking for an encore.

All the proceeds of the dunk tank will go to the Shakespeare Northwest, which hosts the Skagit River Shakespeare Festival outdoors every summer in the valley.

Fun

in the Field

T

A New Approach To Surgery Less Pain, Fast Recovery Laparoscopic Spays - Less Surgical Stress Usually performed as an outpatient procedure Mountain View Veterinary CliniC 120 N 17th St • Mount Vernon 360.424.4455 • www.mtviewvetclinic.com

his year’s Skagit County Fair will feature many fun activities out in the Sherman Anderson Ball Field. This year will feature a new and improved Kid’s Zone, including a bouncy house, milk maker activity, Farmer for a Day interactive display, and a children’s tent complete with crafts and other daily activities. Mini Golf will also be there this year, and is always a big hit.

There will also be a daily educational display area featuring Sarvey Wildlife Center on Wednesday and Thursday, the Swinomish Tribe on Friday, and the Pacific Science Center Science On Wheels exhibit on Saturday. There will be three daily “Fun in the Field” activities, including the traditional gunny sack race, a family 6-leg race and a sponge-bucket race that will be open to all ages. Also there will be daily food eating competitions including cupcakes, a chubby bunny marshmallow contest, and of course pies!

When you’re not busy playing in the field you will be able to stroll around the vendor booths or grab a nice meal in the food court while enjoying the performances of our strolling entertainers.

{ 20 } August 10-13, 2011 | Skagit County Fair Official Program | Skagit Publishing | goskagit.com

4-H underwater robot exhibit

liquids and liquids become solids.

He rides tall unicycles, hops on There will be an Inter-Planetary pogo sticks and Olympics, where people can find out what it’s like to bounce a racquetball or juggles sharp knives, flaming torches and eat a graham cracker in the sub-zero long with the pigs, sheep and spinning hand saws. temperatures of Pluto or learn what chickens on display at the Skagit Audience members causes matter to fizz, freeze, foam and County Fair, 4-H will also have can also expect to fly in frigid temperatures. underwater robots. be incorporated Skagit County Sea-Tech 4-H club will into the show. display a 6,000-gallon tank filled with Roberto remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) that the Magarea youth have built for competitions nificent has that take place across the country performed obert Stuverud has been perthroughout the year. forming his variety acts about 25 halftime shows The students were required to design at professional years, having learned to juggle robots to pick up samples, read temsporting events and unicycle at 11 years old. peratures and travel through tunnels.

The Edmonds-based performer, who and has apThe teams get lots of help from the has dubbed himself Roberto the Mag- peared on televilocal community. The Explorer class nificent, has performed throughout the sion on “Good team — for college-aged adults — United States and will take his show to Morning America” built part of a robot named Eclipse at and Fox Sports.

Janicki Industries, using carbographite the Skagit County Fair.

A silver medalist at the World Juggling He has taken his shell.

Championships as a teen, Roberto the show to 45 states, The teams have proven their skill as well as Japan Magnificent captivates his audiences locally and nationally. A Ranger class with visual stunts and hilarious antics. and New Zealand. team — for junior high- and high school-aged teens — took first place at an underwater robot competition at the 2010 MATE Pacific Northwest Are you worried about Osteoporosis?

Regional Challenge.

We do a safe & easy test that can assess your risk.

At the fair, the club members will Osteoporosis is a gradual thinning & weakening of show people how to navigate a robot bones, which can lead to bone fractures. 28 million in their 6,000-gallon tank.

A

Roberto -- he’s still magnificent

R

Pacific Science Center

on Wheels

C

hildren will be wowed by the visual displays by the Pacific Science Center’s Science on Wheels, demonstrating the wonders of physics and inviting the public to their hands-on exhibits on Saturday, August 13 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Physics on Wheels van will be at the fairgrounds with more than 25 interactive exhibits, where people can learn about physics with lids mysteriously popping off cans, people’s hair pointing straight up, balloons bursting out of jars and ribbons floating in the air, the Pacific Science Center says.

There will also be two Super Cool Science Shows, which will use liquid nitrogen, props, costumes and audience volunteers to show the different states of matter — how gases become

Americans, 80% of whom are women, have or are at risk of developing this condition.

Call 360.428.7270 to schedule.

Skagit Osteoporosis Detection Center Working together to prevent Osteoporosis

Ken’s Radiator

Inc.

RADIATORS & HEAT EXCHANGERS 250 Lila Lane • Burlington, WA 98233 (360) 757-0609

goskagit.com | Skagit Publishing | Skagit County Fair Official Program | August 10-13, 2011

{ 21 }

Hundreds of animals to be on display

F

airgoers can visit more than 500 animals from dogs to dairy cows at this year’s fair, where critters will be on display.

Members of 4-H, FFA and animal lovers throughout the county will enter cats, pigeons, rabbits, horses, pigs, turkeys and goats — and much more — in the fair for judging and public viewing.

“You can see pretty much everything there,” said Margaret Olson, the fair’s liaison to animal exhibitors.

Some people bring up to 10 animals to the fair, she said.

Children can see some animals up-close at “Old McDonald’s Farm” in front of the pavillion, where the Skagit County FFA is hosting a petting farm.

The public will be able to touch and

get an up-close look at chickens, rabbits and a calf.

Animal exhibitors will also have educational information posted near their animals and herdsmen will be nearby to answer questions.

Breeders will also be on hand, in case your child talks you into buying a puppy.

On Friday, there will be a stock sale with lambs, goats, sheep or beef cattle for the public to purchase.

Carnival rides

offer thrills for young and old

By Trevor Pyle

MOUNT VERNON — Rides for young people and adults. Games to challenge everybody.

Those are just some of the attractions to be found this year at the

CUSTOM METAL ART MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

FAIR SPECIAL!!

10% savings with this coupon through August 31st

Meet the Artist!

One of a kind designs!

Red Fin Gallery

Garden art that lasts for generations!

360.770.7256

Fri-Sun 11-6 or by appointment

1714 S. Third St. • Mount Vernon, WA

BUY ONE DRINK GET ONE ½ OFF equal or lesser value

Check out our deals!

416 S. 1st Street | Mount Vernon Mon - Thurs: 7-8pm, Fri - Sat: 7-11:00pm, Sun: 8-6pm

Skagit County Fair.

Davis Amusement Cascadia, an Oregon-based company, will again be providing this year’s rides and games at the fair as the company has in past years.

The rides will include those mild enough for young children, thrilling enough for an excitement-seeking adult and those that appeal to people in between.

For kids, there will be a Looney Airport Ride, Scooper Jets and a Mini Enterprise, where kids can ride in “vehicles” from UFOs to helicopters.

For those who are older and more adventurous, there will be the skyscraping Moon Racker, the heartstopping Sizzler and the ever-popular Gondola Ferris Wheel.

There will also be traditional rides such as bumper cars, the tilt-a-whirl and super slides.

Rides aren’t the only entertainment.

Midway games will include a hoop shoot and ‘Machinegun Alley,’ where sharpshooters can try shooting a red star out of a piece of paper with a BB rifle. Concessions will include cotton candy, curly fries, candy apples, funnel cakes and fresh lemonade.

A 24-coupon book costs $18, a 40-coupon book costs $30 and individual tickets are $1 apiece.

{ 22 } August 10-13, 2011 | Skagit County Fair Official Program | Skagit Publishing | goskagit.com

After All The Rides, The Games, And The Chili Hot Dogs, You’re Probably Going To Need Something.

Stop by one of our branches to refill your wallet.

Anacortes

2202 Commercial Avenue

Burlington

1800 S. Burlington Boulevard

Mount Vernon

1700 Urban Avenue

Sedro-Woolley 339 Ferry Street