2023 Skagit County Fair Guide

Skagit County Fair

August 9th-12th (Wed-Sat)

TICKET AND ADMISSION INFO

5 years old & under are FREE every day

Wednesday & Thursday

ALL FAIR GENERAL ADMISSION IS $10.00!

Family (2 youth + 2 adults): $36.00

Friday & Saturday

Adults (18-61): $13.00

Youth: (6-17) / Senior Citizens (62+)/Military: $11.00

Family (2 youth + 2 adults): $44.00

ADVANCED TICKETS: $9

See Fair Website for advance details

PARKING

Main Fairgrounds South Parking Lot

501 Taylor St. – PARKING $7.00

MVHS Music Booster Club Parking Lot

(Opens Fri & Sat ONLY - 12:00pm-9:00pm)

2001 Cleveland Ave – PARKING $5.00

Fair Location, Times & Contact Information

501 Taylor St. (South Gate)

Mount Vernon, WA 98273

The Skagit County Fair runs August 9-12. Gates open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 10:00 p.m.

www.skagitcounty.net/fair

Phone: 360.416.1350

CONTENTS

Fair Share of Hare Flair

If you have seen a magician pull a hare from a hat, you’ll be a little better primed for what the 2023 Fair has in store for you. Our Fair Team exploited a little magic in concocting a mystical potion in shaping this year’s big event! In addition to the usual Fair Flair, you’ll find herds of hares prancing in the barns and heaps of big hair strutting on and around the SICBA mainstage. If you miss the hysteria and hype of 80’s rock, you won’t want to miss the heavy hare-raising sounds scheduled for Friday night. It’s a chance to strut your shimmering spandex, flaunt your florescent headband and gyrate to highflying headline band Hair Nation.

Carnival

Please note Fair Hours and Carnival Hours are different.

Fair Hours: 10am-10pm

Carnival Hours: See Page 6 for details.

We want to extend a big thanks to Brian Young for his work on the cover art of this program, the Fair website, poster and many other Fair promotional items. His creative skills have been a real key to our success, so thanks, Brian!

Editorial: Oralie Chapman, Aric Gaither and Frances Negranza

There is a long history to the Skagit County Fair and perhaps no one has been more instrumental and influential as Mr. Don Wick. Don will be in a cyclical rotation with Michael Boss at the magical mystery history booth and will occasionally be found wearing a fowl hat…. Don and Michael love to exchange stories about their Fairground encounters over the years and would appreciate hearing about yours. And who knows, your story may even end up on one of Michael’s illustrious podcasts….

What is a Fair without acrobats? Let Jason, Deanna, and the rest of the Vuelta La Luna Circus Team shock and awe you with a barrage of gravity defying feats. The funambulists will astound you with greater flexibility than you’ll see at a gumby doll jamboree. The kids can join in the interactive post-show activities and get tips from the bevy of vagabond aerialists. It’s an hopper-tunity you don’t want to miss!

For four days, we fill our barns with local farm animals, saturate the air with the smell of funnel cakes, and soak your soul with a slice of life in the magic Skagit. Come join us for a hare-larious goodtime at the 2023 Skagit Fair.

1215 Anderson Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98274

Advertising: 360.416.2180 • ads@skagitads.com

© Skagit Publishing 2023 | All rights reserved.

- Brian Adams Director of Parks and Recreation

Arlington Veterinary Hospital

Blue Mariah Band

Fidalgo Animal Medical Center

Doggy Come Play

Lincoln Theatre

Mountain View Veterinary Clinic Restoration 1

Draper Valley Farms

Ron & Jan Wesen

Seattle’s Child

Stowes Shoes & Clothing

Whidbey Coffee

Fidalgo Coffee

PARADISE AMUSEMENTS ENTERTAINS ALL AGES

Fair Admission is required to access Carnival

There is no pre-sale of carnival tickets or passes. Please purchase at the carnival ticket booth

Carnival Hours & Pricing:

Wednesday, August 9

Carnival will not be open from 10am-5pm

Carnival Hours: 5:00pm – 11:00pm (Carnival Ticket Booths Open at 4:30pm)

Carnival Pricing:

$40: 5-hour ride pass, Evening Session (Valid only between 5-10pm)

Tickets Only from 10pm-11pm

Thursday, Friday & Saturday, August 10, 11 & 12

Carnival Hours: 12:00pm – 11:00pm

(Carnival Ticket Booths Open at 11:30am)

Carnival Pricing: $35: 5-hour Ride Pass, Noon Session (Valid only between 12-5pm) BEST VALUE! $40: 5-hour Ride Pass, Evening Session (Valid only between 5-10pm)

Tickets Only from 10pm-11pm Option to add upgrade from Noon Session to Evening Session, see carnival ticket booth for details.

Important changes and Carnival

Info for 2023, please read: PLEASE NOTE CHANGES TO CARNIVAL AND SESSION HOURS

This year, Paradise Amusements is offering 5-hour Ride Passes available in two sessions: the Noon Session from 12:00-5:00pm for the price of $35, and Evening Session from 5:00-10:00pm for the price of $40. While we of course encourage everyone to visit the carnival when it suits them best, the BEST VALUE will be during the Noon Session on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Individual ride tickets will still be available. Prices vary by ride, please inquire at the Paradise Amusements ticket booth in the Carnival.

Main Stage Entertainment

ENTERTAINMENT SPONSORS

Eric Buss Magic

Ron Stubbs Hypnotist

Hair Nation

The Dan Canyon Band

I.R.S. - REM Tribute

The Fentons

Blue Mariah Band

Diaper Derby

Main Stage Music

We work hard to bring some of the best musical acts in the business to the Fair. Our line up covers a variety of genres to suit different tastes. Come on out and enjoy the music at the Fair!

SUNDAY SPEEDTRAP

Wednesday: 11:45 a.m.

Thursday: 1:30 p.m.

Calling all music lovers! Get ready to embark on an extraordinary journey through the greatest hits of the 80s with Sunday Speedtrap’s Sing Along Songs of the Decades show! Don’t miss this opportunity to sing along and relive the soundtrack of the 80s with Art, an animatronic puppet and Chris Eric, vocals and guitar. Sunday Speedtrap will be roving the grounds this year all four days. You never know where you’ll find him!

THE FENTONS

Wednesday: 4:30 p.m.

The Fentons are a Seattle band who play rockin’ roots country inspired by the Flying Burrito Bros., Neil Young, Hank Williams Sr., early Eagles and The Everly Bros. Featuring longtime local musicians, The Fentons bring a bunch of fun, a little twang, a ton of harmonies, and a whole lot of energy to their toe-tapping show.

THE WALRUS

Wednesday: 7:45 p.m.

The band’s vocally rich and intricate arrangements include songs by the Beatles, Queen, the Jackson 5, the B-52s, Led Zeppelin, Paul Simon, Tom Petty, The Police, Stevie Wonder, Jefferson Airplane, Heart, The Trammps, CSNY, Talking Heads, Aretha Franklin, and many others.

ENCHANTRIX

Thursday: 8:00 p.m.

Enchantrix is a variety rock cover band from Skagit and Snohomish Counties, playing a mix of 50s through today. With female front vocals, dual guitars, keyboards, and even some harmonica, Enchantrix is fast becoming a crowd favorite. You can catch them at a variety of locations throughout Puget Sound.

Main Stage Music

MVHS ROCK BAND — GONE NEXT WEEK

Friday: 12:00 p.m.

The MVHS Rock Band Project consists of five Mount Vernon High School students, grades 9 - 12, and one teacher. Although the members perform in various groups within the Mount Vernon High School Music Department, the group officially came together in this configuration in May, 2023. With only six hours of rehearsal, the group performed for the first time in June, 2023. “We can’t wait to show the Skagit Valley community our work and are incredibly excited to keep performing and keep rocking!”

THE DAN CANYON BAND

Friday: 4:45 p.m.

If you close your eyes, you could be in Texas. Pedal steel guitar thrumming, drums crashing, and languid lyrics about horses and sagebrush running through your mind; sitting in on a Dan Canyon Band performance is about as close to an authentic cowboy experience as you’ll get within 50 miles of Seattle. It’s only the occasional soaring guitar solo that reminds you the band is firmly grounded in the modern age.

I.R.S. — REM Tribute

Saturday: 12:00 p.m.

I.R.S is a tribute band to the music of the groundbreaking alternative rock band R.E.M. The group strives to pay homage to the music of one of the bands they greatly admire – sometimes playing material note for note or sometimes putting their own spin on a tune, but always staying true to the spirit of the songs.

BLUE MARIAH BAND

Saturday: 2:15 p.m.

Blue Mariah Band! Veteran Northwest Band specializing in high energy classic country, good ‘ole rock n roll and pleased to announce their 3rd CD recorded in Nashville, Southern Cross! Come, kick back and enjoy!

THE PENNY STINKERS

Saturday: 5:45 p.m.

The Penny Stinkers began as a folksy “busking” band but over the last decade it has grown into a unique, high-energy party band that balances trips down memory lane with the latest in musical genres and hard-charging originals. The band is made up of four seasoned musicians, each with their unique talents and experiences, bring an unforgettable experience to every performance. With the Penny Stinkers, you’re in for more than just a performance; it’s a thrilling musical adventure that sparks a party with every beat.

8/9 – Rapunzel: 12:30-12:45 p.m. Story reading on the Main Stage, 12:45-1:30 p.m. Meet & Greet

Rapunzel will read stories on stage for 10-15 minutes then a meet and greet/photo op the rest of the time.

8/10 – Elsa: 1:15-1:30 p.m. Sing-along on the main stage, 1:30-2:15 p.m. Meet & Greet

Elsa will do a sing-a-long on stage for 10-15 minutes then a meet and greet/photo op the rest of the time.

8/11 - Snow White: 3:30-3:45 p.m. Story reading on Main Stage, 3:45-4:30 p.m. Meet & Greet

Snow White will read stories on stage for 10-15 minutes then a meet and greet/photo op the rest of the time.

8/12 – Mandalorian: 1:00-1:15 p.m. Star Wars trivia on the Main Stage, 1:15-2:00 p.m. Meet & Greet Mandalorian will do Star Wars trivia on stage for 1015 minutes then a meet and greet/photo op the rest of the time.

BeerCider WineCraftSoda

SAALrhymeswithale

Scratchmadeartisanfoodandbeveragesmadeusing sustainablepracticesandlocalingredients.

On the Main Stage

other acts, and bar sales are typically 30-50% higher with them. We trust HN with our big nights too (New Year’s Eve especially!). They always show up with a great, drama free attitude and put on a fun, exciting show.”

-Carrie B., The Lime (Owner)

Friday:

8:00 p.m.

The crowds will be up and rocking, dancing, and singing along with the Pacific Northwest’s premier 1980s hair rock tribute party band! Hair Nation recreates the experience of the mid-80s hair rock scene with powerful, high-energy shows that dazzle crowds, authentic 80s era outfits, humorous banter, and a rad stage show. The band is straight out of 1987. Think classic 80s hits, MTV and Hollywood with a little dose of new wave and a couple of rock tunes. The crowd will experience the sounds and antics of Bon Jovi, Van Halen, Def Leppard, Motley Crue, AC/DC, Twisted Sister, Whitesnake, Gun N’ Roses, and more! Hair Nation prides itself on reviving music from an era when the men looked like women and the women looked like even hotter women.

“Hair Nation is our go to band. They always pack our venue and put on a great show. The care that they put into rehearsing their songs, their choreography, their set list and costumes comes thru in their performance. HN has taken care of me for 4 years as they continually outdraw

80’s Fashion Show Contest

@7:30pm at the Main Stage

Pull out your 80s fashion attire and strut your stuff before the rock headliner, Hair Nation! Contest is free to enter. You MUST be over the age of 18. Attire must be family appropriate. No pre-registration Required, just show up at the main stage!

This will be Hair Nation’s second time performing at the Skagit County Fair. Said Lead Singer and Manager, Bret Meals, “We headlined five years ago and we are looking forward to coming back. We play the Tulalip quite a bit so the Skagit Valley is our second home.” Hair Nation travels far and wide, playing exclusive dates on the East Coast, up and down the West Coast, at the Hard Rock Hotel Lake Tahoe, and House of Blues Las Vegas. They’ve even taken the party as far south as Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. These guys have been around…Literally.

Band members/roles:

Bret Meals: Lead singer and manager

JohnnyNightrain: Lead guitar

JJSavage: Rhythm guitar

BrentRoxx: Drummer

Cheater Criss: Bass guitar

Bret came up with the idea and formed the original band in 1992 in Seattle – he is the only remaining original member. Hair Nation moved to Las Vegas in 2007 and back to Seattle in 2011. Johnny joined the band in 2012 with the other three members joining over the last several years. Cheater is from Spokane and the other members are from Western Washington. The current band met through referrals and word-of-mouth. Bret explained, “You meet someone who meets someone who needs a guitar player, etc. It’s all about who you know in the industry.”

The band is excited for the show. Let the Party Begin! Visit https://hairnationrocks.com/hair-nation to learn more.

Judging criteria:

• Outfit

• Hair Style

• Stage presence/confidence

• Overall appearance

BIG First Place Prize is Courtesy of Skagit Casino Resort!

FAIR HISTORY BOOTH

Wednesday-Saturday: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Meyer Sign is proud to sponsor, All in Love is Fair: Memories of Fairs Past. The Fair History Booth is returning to the Fair for its second year, located in the food court next to the butterfly habitat between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily. Fairgoers will be able to look at old scrapbooks from the Fair and share their own Fair memories via the podcast series, “Share Your Fair,” co-hosted by Michael Boss and Don Wick. The pair will co-host a series of interviews with people whose history with the Fair gives them unique insights into the role it has played in our community as well as anyone who wants to sit down and chat about a memory of the Fair. Interviews will take place throughout the day and will be broadcast through Meyer Sign’s “Tales of the Magic Skagit” series on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Participants will be eligible for special giveaways.

Michael said, “We are excited to bring the fair booth back this year and plan to keep it going for many years to come. Our first year running the booth definitely lived up to expectations. One of the things that I really enjoyed was speaking with kids who sat down with their parents or grandparents to talk with us. It’s always fun interviewing kids – especially 4-H or FFA kids – because they tend to have so much poise and presence. It tickles me to think about them listening back to these interviews when they are adults. We also interviewed long-time performers such as Sunday Speedtrap and Wren the Juggler. It was an opportunity to get to know the personalities behind the events and performances. Hopefully, these recordings will make a nice archive about how we lived and how we felt about the Fair 50 plus years from now. I would like to think that someone will listen to these stories and gain a sense of how their parents or grandparents lived.”

Michael has lived in the Skagit Valley with his wife for the last 10 years, while Don has been part of the community for decades with several MC roles at the Fair over the years. Don was the first public personality or persona that Michael got to know after moving to the area because he was the face of so many local events. Said Michael, “I am just tickled that Don Wick is doing the booth again because it’s nice to have a partner who can come at questions from a different perspective and I appreciate the role that Don has played in our community over the years. Don will often chime in during interviews with additional information or trivia relevant to that era.”

Said Boss, “I have had some people share some stories about shenanigans that they pulled as kids like sneaking into the Fair without admission. I also found it interesting when people gave insights into Mount Vernon or what their neighborhood was like at the time.” If you’ve got a memory about the Fair that you’ve enjoyed telling people over the years, this is a great way to get your story out to a broader audience. We would love to hear your stories!

Main Stage Family Entertainment

The Fair is all about family fun and our main stage acts are bringing it. You won’t want to miss these great family-friendly entertainers. Prepare to be amazed and delighted!

ERIC BUSS MAGIC

Wednesday: 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Thursday: 12:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.

Friday: 11:00 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.

Saturday: 11:00 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.

Although most would agree that Eric’s gadgets are totally awesome, it’s his personality that wins audiences over. His high-energy and hilarious act has been called, “Pure Art, Pure Madness!” It combines magic, crazy inventions, and Eric’s high-octane sugar rush of comedy into a non-stop ride of mischief that most people could never imagine. Wherever he performs, Eric hits the stage and invents fun.

RON STUBBS HYPNOTIST

Wednesday: 2:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: 3:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Friday: 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Saturday: 3:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

Back once again by popular demand, the Skagit County Fair welcomes the “Rockstar of Hypnosis”; Master Hypnotist Ron Stubbs, along with his lovely wife Jeanie as they bring their Hypnotic Mayhem Comedy Hypnosis Show. Ron explores the infinite possibilities that the mind can create with an outrageous sense of humor as well providing an unbelievably entertaining show that will be remembered for years where no one leaves embarrassed.

WREN THE JUGGLER

Wednesday & Thursday: 12:45 p.m.

Wren the Juggler has been juggling for more than 25 years and he is always excited to share his love of things flying in the air (and sometimes landing on the ground) with audiences big and small, near and far, old and young. Catch him strolling around the grounds.

Fun Fair Events

DIAPER DERBY

Thursday: 11:00 a.m. on the Main Stage

The Diaper Derby is back! Racers must be non-walkers, between 6-14 months old. Free contest entry with Fair admission.Start training your baby now!

WIN GREAT PRIZES!

FIRST PLACE $1000 Recliner sponsored by Rolfson’s SECOND PLACE $600 Recliner sponsored by Griffith

Furniture

For full details and rules please visit the Skagit County Fair website: www.skagitcounty.net/fair

CHEER AT THE FAIR

Thursday: 4:30 p.m.

Cheer at the Fair is back this year! Come for the show and stay for the team spirit competition and cheerleader pie eating contest at 5:15 p.m.

Pies Proudly Provided By

PIE EATING CONTEST

AT THE MAIN STAGE

Wednesday 8/9 – 4:15pm

Thursday 8/10 – 5:15pm

Cheerleader Pie Eating Contest

Friday 8/11 – 6:15pm

Saturday 8/12 – 5:30pm

FREE to PARTICIPATE!!

GREAT PRIZES!!

Little Wick the Brahma

DAILY: Visit at the WSU Livestock Booth

A little purebred Brahma bull was born on July 7, 2020 in Sedro-Woolley, WA. His birth was hard and he was born very weak and tired. His momma didn’t make it. He was now an orphan.

Michael began bottle feeding him immediately and he visited the house often. Michael was now Mom to him. He was named after the legendary bull fighter, and good friend, Wick Peth. “Little Wick” grew strong, and the bond between him and Michael developed into an inseparable bond. Little Wick is a wonderful, loving steer that gives great kisses. He loves to be ridden and rope cows. He lives out his life with his Brahma buddy, Jef, at his farm in Sedro-Woolley. Little Wick is always a hit at Rascal Rodeos, where he entertains disabled youths. Look for him at other community events and parades!

-Michael & Cherie Geerdes

STUFF THE BUS!

DIAPER DRIVE

Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Help us fill a Skagit Transit bus full of diapers and receive one complimentary gate admission per unopened package!

Diapers go to the Diaper Bank of Skagit County (DBSC). Valid only at the Cleveland Park Entrance. Limited number of tickets available.

The Diaper Bank of Skagit County (DBSC) provides diapers, formula, wipes, and adult incontinence supplies to families in need. The DBSC partners with Helping Hands Food Bank to reach underserved areas of our county. We provide these resources to community members currently unable to access resources through our partner agencies.

Skagit Transit is now providing free rides to anyone 18 and under!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Community Stage Entertainment

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9TH

12:00pm - Lee Howard

2:00pm - Sweetwood

3:45pm - Mount Baker Square Dancers

5:00pm - Minimum Wage Band

7:00pm - Quickdraw String Band

THURSDAY, AUGUST 10TH

12:00pm - The Hometowners

2:00pm - Michael Dayvid

4:00pm - Wren the Juggler

5:00pm - Swing 48

7:00pm - Michael Dayvid

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11TH

12:00pm - Keith Howard

2:00pm - Pension King Solo

4:00pm - Wren the Juggler

5:00pm - Pension King & the Dependents

7:00pm - North By Northwest

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12TH

12:00pm - Turn Key Runner

2:00pm - Pretty Much Nothing

4:00pm - Wren the Juggler

5:00pm - Paige Woods and the High Fives

7:00pm - Trask

Pretty Much Nothing Pension King

COMMUNITY STAGE SPONSORS

Lee Howard

The Hometowners

Michael Dayvid

Keith Howard Turn Key Runner

Trask

Paige Woods and the High Fives

North by Northwest

Swing 48

Pension King & the Dependents

Wren the Juggler

Sweetwood

Quickdraw String Band

Minimum Wage Band

LEE HOWARD

Wednesday: 12:00pm

Local performing and international touring Stringsurfer ~David “Lee” Howard is a pure magician on his Acoustic Electric 12 String Guitar and Vocals. Presenting refreshing originals and definitively original cover songs, genre bending styles somewhere between Americana and New Age and all points in between served with humor and positive energy.

SWEETWOOD

Wednesday: 2:00pm

Sweetwood is a group of skagit valley musicians who love nothing more than playing a range groovy tunes for you.

MT. BAKER COUNCIL SQUARE DANCERS

Wednesday: 3:45 p.m.

Square dancing is coming to the Community Stage from the Mt. Baker Council Square Dancers. The Council offers lessons and dances and performs at special events.

MINIMUM WAGE

Wednesday: 5:00 p.m.

Brought together through chance and happenstance, the boys of Minimum Wage bring to you a wide range of experience and a variety of genres that merge into a blend of toe-tapping and dance happy sets of Rock and Roll that covers decades of great music. Come let your night be filled with dancing and singing as Minimum Wage takes you back to the days of old walking you through the greatest hits.

QUICKDRAW STRING BAND

Wednesday: 7:00 p.m.

Emerging from the American string band tradition, Quickdraw String Band plays a repertoire of Old-Time, Early Bluegrass, Country Blues, and Ragtime, including some of their own originals. Experienced and hard-working, they have been performing around the Pacific Northwest off and on for the past twenty years.

HOMETOWNERS

Thursday: 12:00 p.m.

Tom Fair and Joe Williamson are the dynamic duo behind the HOMETOWNERS. The pair has been performing country classic songs and other old-time favorites for the last several years at a variety of places including county fairs, retirement centers, health care facilities, farmers markets and private parties.

MICHAEL DAYVID

Thursday: 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

A solo singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer/arranger, and entertainer, Michael Dayvid is the world’s premiere Adventure Folk artist. He has been producing and performing original and cover music for 20 years, ranging in style from jazz to folk, blues to classic rock, opera to show tunes, Top 40 to the 1940s and back. He is also gaining recognition for his incredible freestyle songwriting, creating new music from scratch based on audience suggestions.

WREN THE JUGGLER

Thursday-Saturday: 4:00 p.m.

Wren the Juggler has been juggling for more than 25 years and he is always excited to share his love of things flying in the air (and sometimes landing on the ground) with audiences big and small, near and far, old and young. Catch him strolling around the grounds.

SWING 48

Thursday: 5:00 p.m.

Django Reinhardt meets Bob Wills- Western Swing, Jazz Manouche, Latin Favorites

KEITH HOWARD

Friday: 12:00 p.m. In a word, it’s about Connection! Keith is deeply connected to his music – and connected to his audience. Every song tells a story, and he provides an opportunity for his audience to find themselves in those stories. From heartache and pain to partying on the beach, it’s all there to share together. A musical framework for real life, and maybe a little bit of escape too!

THE PENSION KING

Friday: 2:00 p.m.

Steve Johnson, AKA “The Pension King,” is a retired Singer/ Songwriter from Southern California. After 30 years behind the wheel to ‘get that pension,’ he now spends his days in the PNW with his grand-babies and guitar.

PENSION KING AND THE DEPENDENTS

Friday: 5:00 p.m.

A recently formed band made up of four former and current Rockfish staff members: Steve Johnson, a veteran of the So. Cal music scene, on vocals and guitar, Kevin Seablom on vocals and bass, Mason Blackburn on drums, Eddie Clarke on guitar and Mark Fulton on harmonica and everything else. Pension King specializes in an eclectic mix of acoustic driven classic rock songs.

NORTH BY NORTHWEST BAND

Thursday: 7:00 p.m.

North by Northwest Band is a 4 piece guitar blues rock oriented band that plays a variety of music from covers and some newer country to classic rock from the past seven decades . To say that NxNW Band will give you a great evening of music to dance, party or just listen to would be an understatement.

TURN KEY RUNNER

Saturday: 12:00 p.m.

A 5-piece alternative indie rock band, based in northwestWashington state. Formed in 2023, it boasts local Skagit Valley greats: Jack Mattingly and Dylan Dalgarn ofWhiskey Fever, Bellingham musicianTim Mechling splits the spotlight with Jack; Tim’s originals dips their toes in a wide spectrumof genres and shakes up the expected sound. Sean Dalgarn holds down the rhythm, and Hannah Wyatt rounds it all out with violin and harmonies.

PRETTY MUCH NOTHING

Saturday: 2:00 p.m.

Local Band playing Hard Rock, Dance, Funk, Country, Metal, Pop and Blues

Spencer Duffy-Drums/Synthesizer/Vocals

Gibson Fichter-Bass Guitar/Vocals

Miguel Garibay- Lead Guitar

PAIGE WOODS AND THE HIGH FIVES

Saturday: 5:00 p.m.

Paige Woods and the High Fives are a Pacific Northwest rock band based in Bellingham, delivering powerful vocals and new twists on your favorite classic rock songs.

TRASK

Saturday: 7:00 p.m.

Three up and coming artists of the Skagit Valley make up the moody emo tunes which Trask has built its name around. Band members Dmitri Wagoner, Demetrius Petitt and Henry Rasco.

Latin Entertainment at the Fair

LATIN STAGE

Wednesday – Friday: 5:00 p.m. - 10:15 p.m.

Saturday: 12:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.

ARENA

Saturday: 8:00PM - 9:00PM

(SKAGIT LATIN HORSES)

MAIN STAGE

Saturday: 8:15 p.m. – 10:35 p.m.

The Fair is super excited to bring back the Latin Entertainment/Carnival stage for a third year with four days of exciting Latin entertainment! The 2023 show will feature a wide range of Latin performers from Mount Vernon to international artists. Each day will have a different theme; check the schedule for your favorite genres of Latin music or come for all four days!

Said Adrys Marketing & Concerts LLC President

Skagit County Fair 2023

Adriana, “This year is going to be a little different. I will be presenting one additional band as our international guest: Banda LosRafagos. They come from the state of Nayarit Mexico and will performon the Fair’s Main Stageon Saturday night. I personally feel very proud of this because bringing the music genre from my roots from Nayarit State to the Skagit County Fair is something very significant for me and for the Latino community who identify with this as well. As far as what’s new,we will have a

goskagit.com

Latin Stage

WEDNESDAY 9

5:00pm - Dj Sonido Brains

5:25pm - Danza Azteca Familia Nahui Ollin (Opening Ceremony)

6:00pm - Group Yakima Talent Tba

7:05pm - Group Yakima Talent Tba

8:10pm - Group Oregon Talent Tba

9:15pm - Jose Rangel Y Su Nueva Alianza (Norteno)

THURSDAY 10 - DJ LATIN NIGHT

5:00pm - Dj Sonido Brains

5:30pm - Contrapunto Reggaetonero Talent (Colombia)

6:05pm - Dj Guest Tba

7:10pm - Dj Plaga (From Panama)

8:15pm - Dj Guest Tba

9:15pm - Sonora Internacional Vainilla (Cumbia Group)

FRIDAY 11 - BANDA NIGHT

5:00pm - Dj Sonido Brains

5:30pm - Clown Show

6:05pm - Show Imitador

7:10pm - Grupo Inefable (Sierreno)

8:15pm - Banda Tba

SATURDAY 12 -

INTERNATIONAL LATIN NIGHT

12:00pm - Kataleya Garcia

12:35pm - Recuerdos De Oaxaca

1:40pm - Chuy Gutierrez Y Su

Cuadrilla

2:45pm - MV Mariachi

3:00pm - MV Mariachi

3:30pm - MV Folklorico

4:20pm - Noroeste Norteno

5:25pm - Group Talent Tba

6:30pm - Africa Violeta Spanish Rock Band

7:35pm - Africa Violeta Spanish Rock Band

LATIN ENTERTAINMENT SPONSORS

Adrys’ Marketing & Concerts Latin Entertainment Stage

dancing show horse and charros “Latin Skagit Horses” in the arena before the big show starts on the Main Stage. We are also planning to have a new area where people can purchase a pass to guarantee close access to the front of the Main Stage during the international acts on Saturday night. We are trying to create a better experience for the people who attend the Latino international night, while also staying true to our roots by infusing lots of local talent over the four days, such as Mariachi MV and Folkloric Dance Crew. We like to support local talent and the Mariachi program is growing very fast, not just in the valley but all over Washington State. I still remember the first time they performed in 2021; they were debuting and now I cannot wait to see their revamped show.”

The events kick off on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. with DJ Sonido Brains and a traditional Aztec dance ritual called “Danza Azteca Familia NAHUI OLLIN” to bring good luck to the performances and ensure that everything is a great success. Next, talented singing children will take the stage, including a singer from Yakima and a group from Oregon. There will be Sierreño and Norteño genres playing after the ritual ceremonies and the evening closes off with Norteño artist, Jose Rangel y La Nueva Alianza.

Starting at 5:00 p.m., Thursday night is DJ Latin night with several exciting guest DJs in the lineup from other nationalities like Colombia and Panama. We will also have Saboco Dance Crew from Colombia showing the crowd some salsa lessons. The evening wraps up with salsa and cumbia genre flavor group La Sonora Vainilla.

Friday is Banda night starting

at 5:00 p.m. There will be DJs and a little clown comedy and imitador show. The featured performance is a NEW Sierreño style band with very young performers from Mount Vernon called Grupo Inefable.

Saturday is International LatinDaybeginning at 12:00 p.m. on the Latin Stage.This is the start of a big showthat wraps up with an exciting guest artist on the Main Stage. On the Latin Stage by the carnival, there will be Spanish rock music, Mariachi, and Tierra Caliente genre (Tierra Caliente genre is a very typical kind of music from Oaxaca state in Mexico). The entertainment moves to the Main Stage at 8:15 p.m. with Los Rafagos International Banda. This performance will be followed by our closing act,

FEATURED LATIN ARTIST: KEVIN ORTIZ

The Skagit County Fair is thrilled to welcome Kevin Ortiz as this year’s featured Latin artist! Kevin is a Latin pop singer from Pasadena, California. He is the youngest of five children. His parents are first-generation Americans; his grandparents are from Culiacán, Sinaloa, and his ties to regional Mexican musical traditions run deep and wide. Like many of his peers, Ortiz began his musical studies when he was young. At the age of five he began playing accordion, learning polkas, rancheras, and conjuntos. Singing was something he did only with his friends. His older brother wrote his first single, “Un Minuto,” released in July of 2013, and it got significant airplay. Kevin and his brother Gerardo were both winners at Univision’s Youth Awards, and his older brother presented him with the Youth Revelation Award. The biggest difference between the two brothers is that Kevin’s debut album, Con la Misma Sangre, was not a collection of gritty corridos, but mostly romantic ballads. It was issued in November of 2013 and peaked at number five on the Hot Latin

international Latino artist, Kevin Ortiz, at 9:35 p.m.!

Adriana concluded, “Our main focus is to unite cultures, provide a touch of Latin flavor, and keep us moving forward together. We are eager to share the Latin culture with everyone in the community. We are very excited that Adrys Marketing & Concert is debuting as a national booking agency in the Northwest this year, teaming up with a very important booking agency in Mexico called Infinifox Group. We are thankful for the growth we have had as a company and to the many Latin sponsors and, of course, for the support of the Fair’s Manager, Aric, since 2018. We wouldn’t be able to do this without Aric and our sponsors!”

¡Que comience el show

Albums chart; it hit the top spot on the Regional Mexican Albums list as well.

Ortiz toured continually for a solid year, playing all over Mexico and in the United States. He reentered the studio in 2015 and emerged with Mi Vicio, Mi Adicción in February of the following year. It featured guest spots with other famous Mexican artists (both corridos), and the surprising cumbia “Que Sí, Que No,” featuring Colombian reggaeton Urban Maluma. The album entered the Mexican Regional Albums chart at number two and the Hot Latin Albums chart in the same spot a month later. The record had staying power and fought its way up to the second spot on the Mexican Regional Albums chart 15 months after its release. A third full-length, Aqui Sigo Todavia, arrived in 2018.

“I am very excited to visit the Skagit area for the first time, “ Kevin said.

To this day, he is still active with his music and has become very popular on his social networks, especially on TikTok. He continues to pursue his dreams in the music industry and making more hits that people like.

Grounds Entertainment

The Fair is here to entertain you even while you’re wandering around. With so many great shows, it’s non-stop fun all day long!

SUNDAY SPEEDTRAP

Wednesday-Saturday

Catch him at various times throughout the fair between 12:007:30 p.m.

Calling all music lovers! Get ready to embark on an extraordinary journey through the greatest hits of the 80s with Sunday Speedtrap’s Sing Along Songs of the Decades show! Don’t miss this opportunity to sing along and relive the soundtrack of the 80s with Art, an animatronic puppet and Chris Eric, vocals and guitar. Sunday Speedtrap will be roving the grounds this year all four days when not performing on the Main Stage. You never know where you’ll find him!

WREN THE JUGGLER

Wednesday-Saturday

Wren the Juggler has been juggling for more than 25 years and he is always excited to share his love of things flying in the air (and sometimes landing on the ground) with audiences big and small, near and far, old and young. Catch him strolling around the grounds when not performing on the Main Stage!

DINOCREW ENTERTAINMENT

Friday and Saturday

Watch out for realistic, lifesized dinosaurs wandering around the crowd. Between the car-sized mechanical dinosaur suits to the lifelike puppets, your children will experience the closest thing possible to a dinosaur encounter.

MUSEUM OF CURIOUS THINGS

Wednesday-Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

The Museum of Curious Things is a mobile curiosity museum filled with oddities from around the world. Housed in a 27’ vintage Airstream Trailer, this museum is one of the most unique attractions available in the Northwest United States, leaving audiences intrigued, laughing, and talking about what they saw for days afterward. The unique collection is loaded with cultural artifacts, unusual taxidermy, crypto-zoological samples, anatomical oddities, and historical mysteries that include a mummified cat, George Washington’s death announcement, odd x-rays, a rare insect display, and much much more. The museum’s curator strives to stimulate the brain’s natural curiosity and to educate people of all ages on the wonders of the unknown with the intent to preserve a part of American culture that has been lost.

Visitors can expect an immersive experience at this free Fair event; each display features written descriptions that educate, entertain, and explain every odd thing you encounter in the collection. Learn about things like how things become mummified, what causes albinism, and how the Jivaroan tribes of Ecuador shrunk heads. Every object is one of a kind and guaranteed to quench your curiosity needs. Said founder Matt Baker, “It’s so cool to see

how people interact with the things that are inside. Some people spend a lot of time reading the history and others are in and out. It doesn’t matter if they’re young, old, weirdos, straightlaced, conservative or liberal; there’s a unifying factor to the museum. Some people are nervous going in but everyone comes out smiling.”

The museum was founded around 2012 after Matt was invited to use an extra trailer at the Georgetown Trailer Park Mall to showcase his oddities at the market. It was a success and he decided to buy the trailer and make it a touring exhibit to make it more accessible to others. Said Matt, “I am excited to get the museum back on the road after a break during Covid. It’s a labor of love to maintain the Airstream and all the exhibits inside. People were asking me to bring it back so I decided to do the work and get back on the road. I like to expose people to weird stuff in the world that they might not have seen if they don’t travel a lot or have natural curiosity. We are excited to be back at the Fair after a successful exhibit in 2019.”

THE BUTTERFLY ENCOUNTER

Wednesday & Thursday from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Friday & Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Skagit County Fair visitors will once again get to experience the beauty and magic of butterflies up close with The Butterfly Encounter. Inside the screened-in butterfly exhibit, over 100 butterflies will be released on opening day. Come by to observe the butterflies and learn about the life-cycle of a butterfly. Visitors will be shown how to feed butterflies and then have the chance to feed them nectar on a feeding stick. This is a FREE exhibit at the Fair, but if you’d like to take

the experience home with you, butterfly kits may be available for purchase so you can watch the entire life cycle.

The Butterfly Encounter was opened in 2013. It is family-owned and operated by husbandand-wife team, Deborah and Jason Lurie, and their four daughters who help put the exhibit together. The business is based out of Spring Hill, Florida but they travel all over the U.S. to bring the Butterfly Encounter to as many people as possible. The family prides itself on educating people about butterflies and treating every customer like they are a part of the family. Said co-owner Deborah Lurie, “This is our second time at the Fair and we are very excited about coming back. It was a great experience for us and for the fair goers last time. We are looking forward to creating a magical time for all the Fair goers who visit our butterfly exhibit and hopefully educate them a little on the monarch butterfly and the importance of pollinators - without them there would be no vegetation on the earth. This will be an experience everyone will remember!”

New this year will be a butterfly selfie contest! To enter, visit the exhibit and take a selfie with a butterfly, then post it to the Fair’s Facebook page with a comment. Deborah and Jason will pick out the top 10 selfies and pass out some butterfly kits and masks.

VUELTA LA LUNA

Wednesday - Saturday

Show Times: 1:15, 4:15, 7:15 p.m.

Come one come all to the Vuelta La Luna Variety Circus! Vuelta is a traveling variety circus made up of a curious collection of aerialists, dancers, fire-breathers, clowns, acrobats, jugglers, stilt walkers, and more! This is a FREE event. The circus comes up with new performance material every season with a family forward focus on fun! Audiences will be

entertained with character driven shows including clown skits, aerialists from space, a balancing chair routine, and experimental acts!

The cast is made up of local artists from the Pacific Northwest region. They will perform three shows daily, about 20 minutes each. After each performance, the circus ring will be open for poses and pictures, as well as teaching a first move or lesson! Costumed jugglers and entertainers will be doing roving acts in between performances. There will be an interactive Kids Zone next to the tent with big games like Jenga and cornhole, custom-made hula hoops, and a box of costumes and props for a dress up “selfie” circus. New additions this year include bub-

ble machines and a miniature High-Striker – are you strong enough to hit the bell?

Said Ring Master Jason Barker, “As a traveling circus, we love to meet new people as we inspire and teach kids (and big kids too) the skills it takes to have fun at the circus. The Skagit County Fair is a great place to do that! Last year was our first time and we had a whole lot of fun; our biggest show had almost 500 people. Families were excited about having something to do without additional cost and the kids loved the acts and interacting with us after the performances. We are looking forward to trying out some new things this year and providing more fun for the whole family.”

SIDE SHOW WITH PROFESSOR BAMBOOZLE – Stage Magic & Balloonary Loonary

Wednesday-Saturday

10:00am - Music & Lights

11:00am - Balloonary Loonary

2:00pm - Critter Stage Magic

5:00pm - Grand Illusion Show

7:00pm - Variety Roaming and Walk-around (Off Stage, around the Fair!)

8:00pm - Music & Lights

The Skagit County Fair is pleased to announce the return of the Sideshow Stage featuring Professor Bamboozle! The show presents family-friendly comedy magic and so much more, including big grand stage illusion shows, variety shows, sideshow

curiosities, oddities, old-time gaffs, self-working illusions, music, production services, magical critters, and more. His stage illusion shows are a combination of many of the old-time classics as well as modern, state of the art and original illusions. It is an extremely interactive, immersive show! If you’re in the audience, you may be randomly called up to participate in an illusion, find objects flying over your head, or see an egg hatch into a live bird in an audience member’s hands. Said Bamboozle on the inspiration behind his show, “I had a vision to re-create - for a new generation - a production in the flavor of the old-time traveling side show stages from the glory days of the great showman P.T. Barnum, but with a modern

twist. I am looking forward to seeing the Fair family again and seeing how much the 4-H kids have grown.”

4-H YOUTH PROGRAMS

nized into 23 clubs and mentored by 60 adult volunteer Leaders. Adult volunteers are screened and trained to mentor youth in the projects the youth is interested in.

If you are interested in becoming a 4-H leader, please contact Dorothy.elsner@wsu.edu

thoughtful and generous leaders for our future.”

4-H EXHIBITS AND CONTESTS

The 4-H youth program is volunteer driven and community based it was started at the beginning of the 20th century to ensure the future of rural youth. It consists of a community of more than six million members from ages nine through nineteen and 60 million alumni from across America.

Skagit county 4-H just celebrated the 100th anniversary in 2022 of having clubs in the county, The clubs emphasize learning, leadership/life skills, healthy living, citizenship and science through classes, hands-on projects, and community service. Students can choose from a variety of projects in the areas of technology, human sciences, large and small animals, science and engineering, natural resources, and citizenship and leadership.

Beyond the excitement of learning something new through a project, youth have the opportunity to participate in leadership conferences, travel the world, become involved in their community through service, develop healthy youth/adult partnerships and meet new friends in a safe and comfortable setting. In Skagit County, 300 youth are orga-

Children ages 5- 18 can join 4-H; visiting with leaders and members at the fair is a great way to find a good fit for an individual’s interests. 4-H members can compete with their projects in contests at the local, state, regional, or national levels and also attend conferences and events. 4-H has four Essential Elements: Belonging, Generosity, Mastery, and Independence. These topics give youth a safe place to “Learn as they Do”, generate positive youth/adult partnerships, and feel a part of a bigger community. The 4-H motto is “Making the Best Better”. You will see these values reflected in the youth when you take time to visit and talk with 4-H members at the fair.

Member enrollment begins each fall in October, if you are interested in joining 4-H please contact Dorothy.elsner@wsu.edu

Says Dorothy Elsner WSU Extension Skagit County 4-H Program Coordinator: “4-H thrives in Skagit County due to incredible support from the Skagit County community. The generosity of our community enables Skagit County 4-H to continue our mission in raising responsible,

The 4-H building (Building A) is full of interesting still-life exhibits and 4-H in Action demonstrations. Building C houses the dog project and show ring, dog projects show in obedience and agility through an obstacle course; handlers exhibit dogs both on and off leash. The Pavilion barn is the home of livestock projects; Dairy, Beef and along with an exhibition of Shooting Sports. Goats and Sheep are housed and shown across the fairgrounds in Building F. Building E is the Small Animal Barn, this barn fills up with Rabbit, Cavy, Cat and Poultry projects. The Horse barns and the Horse arena is busy all day with many different horse performances. Friday evening August 11 is the Skagit Junior Livestock Show, where animals raised for market are auctioned off. This is a great opportunity to support 4-H and FFA members.

Take a look at the enclosed schedule for many different activities and contests going on at the Fair this year!

Future Farmers of America was founded by a group of young farmers in 1928, their mission was to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population. Today, FFA is not just for students who want to be production farmers, it also welcomes members who aspire to careers as teachers, doctors, scientist, business owners and more. For this reason, the name of the organization was updated in 1988 to reflect the growing diversity and new opportunities in the industry of agriculture.

The National FFA organization now has 850,823 members in 8,995 chapters nationwide with millions of alumni. The organization is part of the high school courses in more than 300 careers in the food, fiber and natural resources industry including animal science, horticulture, agricultural mechanics and natural resources.

The FFA motto: “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve” and the chapter’s activities are planned to help students do all of this.

Skagit County has three FFA chapters:

FFA

shooting and Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems to Floriculture and Nursery Landscape and Veterinary Science, Food Science and Leadership training in many different ways.

Mount Vernon FFA is one of the first five chapters in Washington State! We’re also the home to the first female National FFA Officer, Julie Smiley. Throughout the year our chapter is dedicated to community service and leadership; we work on projects with Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland, Skagit County Farm Bureau, and other organizations. Besides animal projects, students participate in Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems and Veterinary Science competitions and their activities include many options for students to practice their leadership skills in the community.

Sedro-Woolley FFA is active in the Floriculture and Nursery Landscape competitions hosted by FFA as well as Logging Rodeo and Trapshooting activities. Their activities are about getting outdoors - whether it’s to tend to animals, practice for competitions, or explore the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. The chapter emphasizes leadership and personal development through action and involvement and we strive to offer members as many new and exciting experiences as possible.

Come and see the FFA club member booths and livestock exhibits in:

· Dairy Cattle

· Beef Cattle

· Swine

· Sheep

· Goats

· Poultry

· Rabbits

· Dairy Cattle and Livestock Judging Contests

· Agriculture Mechanics and Technology Displays

· Horticulture and Landscape Displays

· Educational Exhibits

The Burlington-Edison FFA chapter has a long tradition of involving its members in the many different facets of agriculture that the Skagit Valley area has to offer. Students take pride in exhibiting their various projects at the fair each summer, and during the school year are involved in everything from TrapTHE

Will be held Friday night, August 11th at 6:00 p.m. in the Pavilion

Please Support Our Youth by Buying Local Livestock!

TRAINS!

Puget Sound Garden Railway Society Building D

THIRSTY?

Presented by the Mount Vernon Kiwanis, with beverages from Farmstrong Brewing Company

• Right by the main stage.

• Shaded seating

• Lawn games

Support from:

• Local micro-brews

• All proceeds go to Mount Vernon area scholarships

And

• A.B’S Hillbilly Gyros – Gyros, falafel, philly, greek fries, baklava, lemonade, soda, water

• Brando’s BBQ - Pulled pork sandwich, pulled pork nachos, pulled pork tacos, hotdog, soda, water

• Cay Sal pies - Frozen pies on a stick, agua fresca

• Chispita de SaborQuesabirria, asada tacos, elote, esquite, horchata, mangonada, strawberry lemonade

• Mac & Cheese Whaaaaaat!? - Specialty mac and cheese, burgers, soda, water

• Fresh Beignets - Freshly made beignets with dipping sauces

• Donut Seed Co. - Mini donuts, corn dogs, nachos, fried cheese wedges, taquitos, chips, soda, water

• Food Express King -Hamburgers, curly fries, hot dogs, nachos, carne asada fries, asada & pork tacos, soda, water

• Funnel of Love -Funnel cakes, elephant ears, deep fried candy bars and fruit

• Gold Buckle EspressoEspresso drinks, smoothies, Red Bull, bakery items

HOURS: Wed.-Sat., August 9th-12th Noon-9:30 P.M.

• Corndogs of the WorldCorndogs of the world, philly cheesesteaks, kielbasa polish sausage sandwiches, french fries, lemonade

• Irishman Soft Serve Ice Cream -Soft serve ice cream cones and soda floats

• JJ FroyoGo - Soft serve ice cream, fat-free frozen yogurt, soda floats, cookies

• Kona Ice of Skagit ValleyGourmet shaved ice, water

• Linda’s Concessions - Gyros, hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, curly fries

• Ohana BBQ – Hawaiian style BBQ, teriyaki chicken, ahi poke, yakitori, macaroni salad, green salad, chips, soda, water

• Popmaster Kettle CornKettle Corn, Lemonade.

• Rainbow Mexican Food - Tacos, tortas, burritos, quesadillas, corn on the cob, aguas frescas

• Road Dawg - Beef, chicken or veggie hot dogs with loaded toppings, lemonade, soda, chips, water

• Sugar + Spoon Cookie Dough

- Safe to eat cookie Dough, ice cream and waffle cones

• Waka Waka Snack Bar- Fruit cups, smoothies, esquites, elotes, chicharron preparado, candy, water

• Sunset Lemonade - Artisan Lemonade, boba, tea, Red Bull, fresca

Barns Schedule

Horse Arena Schedule

Daily Themed Events

North End of Fair near Petting Zoo

Safety and Preparedness Day

Wednesday August 9th 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

• 10 Great Organizations •

• Educational Booths •

• Interactive Safety Displays •

• Giveaways •

• Games and Activities for All Ages! •

Family Resources Day

Thursday August 10th 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

FREE KIDS ACTIVITIES

Meet the faces of local community organizations. Earn raffle tickets at event booths to enter a prize drawing!

Skagit Valley College Auto Club

Friday & Saturday, Aug. 11-12, 10am-8pm

Skagit Valley College Automotive Program offers so much more than just Automotive Technical classes; stop by to learn more and see the 1973 VW Convertible and race car!

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Fun Fair Tips, Facts & Fun

From Your Fair Management Team

WHAT’S NEW AT THE FAIR

-Stage Entertainment: Eric Buss Magician, Hair Nation 80’s Rock Band, Kevin Ortiz International Latin Artist. Lots of new Musical acts on our Main, Community, and Latin Entertainment stages. See individual pages for more info.

-Addition of seven new Food Vendors! See if you can find these new tasty menu items.

-New Snack Zone! FIND the horseshoe shaped eating area with new seating and snacks to enjoy.

-Rock your 80’s gear and big hair and come out for the 80’s Fashion Show just before Hair Nation takes the stage, Friday at 7:30PM!

-Watch the Skagit Latin Horses performing on Saturday night at 8:00pm in the arena!

WELCOMING BACK

THIS SEASON, a trio of fun exhibits: Professor Bamboozle and his Sideshow Stage, The Butterfly Encounter, and the Museum of Curious Things! We haven’t seen these three since 2019!

WIN BIG AT THE FAIR

-At the Main Stage: Daily Pie Eating Contests, impromptu contests in-between shows with

Emcee Todd Young, the Diaper Derby on Thursday (Chance at a $1,000 recliner), and an 80’s Fashion Show on Friday night.

-At the Daily Themed Fun Zone: Visit booths in the Daily Themed Fun Zone on our Community Focused Days. Grab some swag and enter the big raffle prize!

• Wednesday, Safety and Preparedness Day 10a-4p

• Thursday, Family Resources Day 10a-4p

-Visit “Little Wick” the Brahma in the WSU Livestock Area in front of the Pavilion.

Emcee Todd Young

Aric Gaither Fair Manager

Frances Negranza Assistant Fair Manager

from the Fair Management

SUPPORTING COMMUNITY CAUSES

-Donate an unopened package of Diapers at the Cleveland Park Gate on Thursday from 10a-6p and receive a FREE gate admission ticket into the Fair.

-Visit the Community Stage, whose mission is to raise awareness and support for Fibromyalgia.

-Support the 4H and FFA youth by becoming a buyer at the Junior Livestock Sale, Friday at 6:00pm in the Pavilion.

-Drink a cold brew in the Cantina, proceeds go to fund local scholarships through the Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club.

DOING THE FAIR ON A BUDGET

Getting in the Gate

(Full details on Page 3)

-Buy Fair Tickets in advance and save! Online or in person at Ace Hardware or Tepic restaurant in Mount Vernon. Advance tickets are $9.

-Reduced Admission for all ages on Wednesday and Thursday of the Fair, $10 at the gate.

-Donate an unopened package of Diapers at the Cleveland Park Gate on Thursday from 10a-6p and get in FREE.

GETTING TO THE FAIR

- Ride the Bus! Skagit Transit is now offering free rides for those 18 years of age and younger.

THE CARNIVAL

-Plan on attending Noon Session 12p-5p on Thurs, Fri and Sat for the best value, $35 for an 5-hour Ride Pass. See page 6 for more details.

-Session Tips: Arrive up to 30 minutes early before session start times to maximize your ride experience! We recommend around 11:30 for the Noon Session (valid 12-5pm) and 4:30 for the Evening Session (valid 5-10pm).

SAMPLING OF FREE FAIR ACTIVITIES INCLUDED WITH GATE ADMISSION

-Watch live music and performances on one of three stages: Main Stage found in the center of the grounds, Community Stage on the Ballfield and Latin Entertainment Stage in the Carnival.

-Browse the indoor exhibit halls

and animal barns to see who will come away with a ribbon!

-Meet some baby farm animals at the FFA Old McDonald’s Farm Petting Zoo located by the Pavilion.

-Participate in or watch a pie eating contest or the 80’s Fashion Show (Friday night) at the main stage (Great Prizes!!!)

-Grab a buddy and make memories by snapping photo at one of our Photo Stations.

FAIR HAPPENINGS NOT TO MISS!

- Get up close with monarch butterflies at the Butterfly Encounter, explore the oddities at Museum of Curious Things and be awed by Birds of Prey with the Sardis Raptor Center, all three found on the Ballfield.

-Stop by the Fair History Booth and Share your Fair memories with Michael Boss and Don Wick!

-Catch a show with the Vuelta la Luna Circus, then turn around and visit Professor Bamboozle and his Side Show Stage. Stages are

located across from each other, be sure to catch both shows!

-Enter your 6-14 month old in the Diaper Derby for a chance to win INCREDIBLE prizes. Or just watch…Babies Racing for glory! Thursday at 11:00am on the Main Stage.

-Meet your favorite Enchanting Events Character: Rapunzel, Elsa, Snow White and the Mandalorian – see pg. 10 and 11 for details

-Witness daily the roving Entertainment around the grounds from Wren the Juggler, Professor Bamboozle, the Vuelta La Luna Circus, Sunday Speedtrap, and the

-Take a seat at the horse arena grandstands and catch all the action!

-Going once, going twice - experience the Livestock Auction at 6pm on Friday in the Pavilion. You don’t have to be a buyer to attend, it’s a fun to watch the bidding happen! QUICK TIP: Be sure to keep your hands down and don’t scratch your nose or you might become a buyer!

-While enjoying the carnival, check out the Latin Entertainment

Stage, an explosion of culture and talent that is worth witnessing. The stage is live every evening and all day Saturday.

STAYING COOL AND HEALTHY

-Take a rest under some shaded seating out in the Sherman Anderson Ballfield

-Stay hydrated and keep your bottle full at the Thirst Buster, thanks to Skagit PUD. Located by Vuelta La Luna Circus and Professor Bamboozle.

-Don’t forget to wash your hands! Handwashing stations located throughout the grounds thanks to Skagit Regional Health.

-ADA accessible restrooms located near the Main Stage. More restrooms located in the Pavilion, and portable toilets in the ballfield and carnival.

Dino Crew Dinosaurs (Friday and Saturday only)

FAIR EVENT MASTER SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY

9:00 AMPoultry 4-H/FFA/Open Class Type (Building E)

9:00 AM4-H Cat Show (Building E)

9:00 AMEnglish Pleasure Novice Equitation (Horse Arena)

10AM-4PMSafety and Preparedness Day (North Gate)

10AM-8PMMuseum of Curious Things (Ballfield)

10AM-8PMButterfly Encounter (Ballfield)

10:00 AMFood and Commercial Vendors Open

10:00 AMSheep FFA/4-H Fitting and Showing - Type to Follow (Sheep/Goat Arena)

10:00 AMBoer Goat FFA/4-H Type - Following Sheep Show (Sheep/Goat Arena)

10:00 AMBeef Demonstrations begin (Beef Barn)

10:00 AM4-H Goat Bowl (Goat Barn)

10:00 AMDairy Foods Demonstrations (Tent by Dairy Parlor)

10:00 AMCavy Veggie Eating Contest (Outside Building E)

10:00 AMArchery Demonstration (Pavilion / Under Stands)

10:45 AMFair Opening Ceremony (Main Stage)

11AM-5PMFair History Booth (Ballfield)

11:00 AMProfessor Bamboozle - Balloonary Loonary (Side Show Stage)

11:00 AMEric Buss (Main Stage)

11:00 AM4-H Dog Showmanship (Building C)

11:00 AMGames Exercise (Horse Arena)

11:45 AMSunday Speedtrap (Main Stage)

11:45 AMSunday Speed Trap (Main Stage)

12:00 PMLee Howard (Community Stage)

12:00 PMKiwanis Cantina Opens (Near Main Stage)

12:00 PMRabbit Agility (Between Building E and D)

12:30 PMRapunzel: Story Reading (Main Stage)

12:30 PMRapunzel: Meet and Greet (Main Stage)

12:45 PMWren the Juggler (Main Stage)

1:00 PMPoultry 4-H/FFA Showmanship (following Cat Show) (Building E)

1:00 PMKey Race Round #1 & #2 (Horse Arena)

1:15 PMVuelta La Luna Circus (Grounds)

1:30 PMSardis Raptor Exhibit (Ballfield)

1:30 PMEric Buss Magic (Main Stage)

2:00 PMSweetwood (Community Stage)

2:00 PMProfessor Bamboozle - Critter Stage Magic (Side Show Stage)

2:00 PMSunday Speedtrap (Grounds)

2:00 PMDairy Demonstrations (Tent by Dairy Parlor)

2:15 PMRon Stubbs Hypnotist (Main Stage)

3:00 PM4-H Dog Quiz Bowl (Building C)

3:30 PMEric Buss Magic (Main Stage)

3:45 PMMount Baker Square Dancers (Community Stage)

4:00 PMSunday Speedtrap (Grounds)

4:00 PM4-H Cavy Costume Contest (Building E)

4:00 PM2 Barrel Flag Round #1 & #2 (Horse Arena)

4:15 PMVuelta La Luna Circus (Grounds)

4:15 PMPie Eating Contest (Main Stage)

4:30 PMSardis Raptor Exhibit (Ballfield)

4:30 PMThe Fentons (Main Stage)

4:30 PM4-H Dog Rally Obedience Demonstration (Building C)

4:30 PMBeef FFA/4-H Fitting and Showing - Type to Follow (Pavilion)

5:00 PMMinimum Wage Band (Community Stage)

5:00 PMCarnival Rides Open (Carnival)

5:00 PMProfessor Bamboozle - Grand Illusion Show (Side Show Stage)

5:00 PMDj Sonido Brains (Latin Stage)

5:25 PMDanza Azteca Familia Nahui Ollin (Opening Ceremony) (Latin Stage)

6:00 PMSunday Speedtrap (Grounds)

6:00 PMGroup Yakima Talent TBA (Latin Stage)

6:00 PM4-H Dog Costume Contest (Building C)

6:15 PMRon Stubbs Hypnotist (Main Stage)

6:30 PMSardis Raptor Exhibit (Ballfield)

6:30 PM4-H Performing Arts Contest (4-H Building)

7:00 PMQuickdraw String Band (Community Stage)

7:00 PMProfessor Bamboozle - Variety Walk-Around (Grounds)

7:05 PMGroup Yakima Talent TBA (Latin Stage)

7:15 PMVuelta La Luna Circus (Grounds)

7:30 PM4-H Dog Parent Showmanship (Building C)

7:45 PMThe Walrus (Main Stage)

8:00 PMExercise (Horse Arena)

8:10 PMGroup Oregon Talent TBA (Latin Stage)

9:00 PMExhibit Barns Close (All Areas)

9:15 PMJose Rangel Y Su Nueva Alianza (Norteno) (Latin Stage)

9:30 PMKiwanis Cantina Closes (Near Main Stage)

10:00 PMFood and Commercial Vendors Close

11:00 PMCarnival Rides Close (Carnival)

Make sure to verify times with official schedules posted throughout the fair guide

THURSDAY

9:00 AMChicken Awards (Building E)

9:00 AM 4-H Goat Judging Contest, followed by Groom Squad (Sheep/Goat Arena)

9:30 AMWestern Pleasure Novice Equitation (Horse Arena)

10AM-4PM Family Resources Day (North Gate)

10AM-6PM Diaper Drive (Outside Cleveland Gate)

10AM-8PM Museum of Curious Things (Ballfield)

10AM-8PM Butterfly Encounter (Ballfield)

10:00 AMFood and Commercial Vendors Open

10:00 AM4-H Cavy and Rabbit Showmanship (Building E Show Barn)

10:00 AMArchery Demonstration (Pavilion / Under Stands)

10:00 AMDairy 4-H/FFA Fitting and Showing - Type to Follow (Pavilion)

10:00 AMBeef Demonstrations (Beef

FAIR EVENT MASTER SCHEDULE

FRIDAY

9:00 AMChicken Awards (Building E)

9:00 AM 4-H Goat Judging Contest, followed by Groom Squad (Sheep/Goat Arena)

9:30 AMPrecision Driving (Horse Arena)

10AM-8PMSVC Auto Club (North Gate)

10AM-8PMMuseum of Curious Things (Ballfield)

10AM-9PMButterfly Encounter (Ballfield)

10:00 AMFood and Commercial Vendors Open

10:00 AM4-H Cavy and Rabbit Showmanship (Building E)

10:00 AMArchery Demonstration (Pavilion / Under Stands)

10:00 AMDairy 4-H/FFA Fitting and Showing - Type to Follow (Pavilion)

10:00 AMBeef Demonstrations (Beef Barn)

10:00 AMPerformance Medals (Horse Arena)

11AM-5PMFair History Booth (Ballfield)

11:00 AMProfessor Bamboozle - Balloonary Loonary (Side Show Stage)

11:00 AMEric Buss Magic (Main Stage)

11:00 AMChicken Races (Between Building E and D)

11:00 AM4-H Dog Showmanship (Building C)

11:00 AMGames Exercise (Horse Arena)

12:00 PMKeith Howard (Community Stage)

12:00 PMCarnival Rides Open (Carnival)

12:00 PMKiwanis Cantina Opens (Near Main Stage)

12:00 PMMVHS Rock Band - Gone Next Week (Main Stage)

12:00 PMBeef Bowl (Beef Barn)

12:00 PMLads and Ladies Lead – Open Class Sheep (Sheep/Goat Arena)

12:30 PMInternational Flags (Horse Arena)

1:00 PMGoat Quiz Bowl (Goat Barn)

1:15 PMVuelta La Luna Circus (Grounds)

1:30 PMSardis Raptor Exhibit (Ballfield)

1:45 PMEric Buss Magic (Main Stage)

2:00 PMPension King Solo (Community Stage)

2:00 PMProfessor Bamboozle - Critter Stage Magic (Side Show Stage)

2:00 PMSunday Speedtrap (Grounds)

2:00 PMGoat Obstacle Course (Sheep/Goat Arena)

2:30 PMRon Stubbs Hypnotist (Main Stage)

3:00 PMSale Set Up (Pavilion)

3:00 PMDog 4-H Showmanship Finals (Building C)

3:00 PMCavy Races (Between Building E and D)

3:00 PMBarrels Round #1 & #2 (Horse Arena)

3:30 PMSunday Speedtrap (Grounds)

3:30 PMSnow White: Story Reading (Main Stage)

3:30 PMSnow White: Meet and Greet (Main Stage)

3:45 PMEric Buss Magic (Main Stage)

4:00 PMWren the Juggler (Community Stage)

4:15 PMVuelta La Luna Circus (Grounds)

4:30 PMSardis Raptor Exhibit (Ballfield)

4:30 PM4-H Dog Rally Obedience Demonstration (Building C)

4:45 PMThe Dan Canyon Band (Main Stage)

5:00 PMPension King & The Dependents (Community Stage)

5:00 PMProfessor Bamboozle - Grand Illusion Show (Side Show Stage)

5:00 PMDJ Sonido Brains (Latin Stage)

5:30 PMClown Show (Latin Stage)

6:00 PMLivestock Sale (group picture taken before sale begins) (Pavilion)

6:00 PMSeramam Table Top Show (Building E)

6:00 PM4-H Dog Costume Contest (Building C)

6:05 PMShow Imitador (Latin Stage)

6:15 PMSunday Speedtrap (Grounds)

6:15 PMPie Eating Contest (Main Stage)

6:30 PMSardis Raptor Exhibit (Ballfield)

6:30 PMRon Stubbs Hypnotist (Main Stage)

7:00 PMNorth by Northwest (Community Stage)

7:00 PMProfessor Bamboozle - Variety Walk-Around (Grounds)

7:00 PMPerformance Barrels (Horse Arena)

7:10 PMGrupo Inefable (Sierreno) (Latin Stage)

7:15 PMVuelta La Luna Circus (Grounds)

7:30 PMSunday Speedtrap (Grounds)

7:30 PMContest - 80’s Fashion Show (Main Stage)

7:30 PM4-H Dog Parent Showmanship (Building C)

8:00 PMHair Nation (Main Stage)

8:00 PMExercise (Horse Arena)

8:15 PMBanda TBA (Latin Stage)

9:00 PMExhibit Barns Close (All Areas)

9:30 PMKiwanis Cantina Closes (Near Main Stage)

10:00 PMFood and Commercial Vendors Close

11:00 PMCarnival Rides Close (Carnival)

Make sure to verify times with official schedules posted throughout the fair guide

SATURDAY

9:00 AMRabbit, Cavy and Cat Awards (Building E)

9:00 AMOpen Class Sheep Show (Sheep/Goat Arena)

10AM-8PMMuseum of Curious Things (Ballfield)

10AM-9PMButterfly Encounter (Ballfield)

10:00 AMFood and Commercial Vendors Open

10:00 AMCavy Agility Contest (Between Building E and D)

10:00 AMCat Bowl and Cat Judging (Building E)

10:00 AMArchery Demonstration (Pavilion / Under Stands)

10:00 AMGroom Squad (Horse Arena)

10:30 AMDairy and Beef Costume Contest (Pavilion)

11AM-5PMFair History Booth (Ballfield)

11:00 AMProfessor Bamboozle - Balloonary Loonary (Side Show Stage)

11:00 AMEric Buss Magic (Main Stage)

11:00

11:00 AM4-H Dog Obedience (Building C)

11:00 AMPairs Class (Horse Arena)

12:00

12:00