The first couple of days at the Kitsap County Fair and Stampede has offered the local community plenty of entertainment and exhibits to check out as summer begins to wind down.
The opening day Wednesday offered gloomy weather, but folks still showed up to support local vendors and programs while also relaxing and hanging out with friends and family. Fairgoers can get in free this year and pay just $10 to park a carload of people.
The weekend of events began with the first-ever ribbon-cutting ceremony just before noon Wednesday. A series of entertainment and exhibits followed throughout the day until 8 p.m.
Performers shuffled in and out Wednesday and Thursday onto the Family Stage, including Cowboy Buck & Elizabeth’s Wacky Wild West Show, Dr. Goodjohn’s Magical Medicine show, Just For Kicks School of Dance, CowRaZy ConTesTs, Irene’s School of Dance, the Bremerton High School Drill Team and the Stodden Sisters.
The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office was also on hand to give K-9 shows featuring their two tracking and protection dogs. KCSO will continue giving K-9 shows through the weekend.
The PRCA Rodeo where cowboys and cowgirls showed off their impressive skills on horses started later in the evening. This headliner event is one of the few events at the fair this week with an admission charge. The PRCA Rodeo is a three-day event from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday through Friday at Thunderbird Arena & Stadium.
The last bit of entertainment Wednesday through Friday night is a free John Wesley Satterfield concert with special guests Pryor Baird, Lewis Brice and Stevie Monce. Satterfield performs his own brand of American music, blending elements of rock’ n ‘roll, country, bluegrass and folk. He is now working on his fifth studio release with longtime friend and fellow South Carolina native Ryan Monroe of Band of Horses.
Always a big hit at the fair are the exhibits available for gazing all day long each day. The local 4-H club filled the barns with animals they’ve raised from birth to show off and sell during Saturday’s Junior Livestock Auction. 4-H animals on display include pigs, goats, rabbits, llamas, mini horses, cows and dogs.
Other exhibits on display throughout the duration of the fair include the Olympic Peninsula Woodturners, Bremerton Northern Model Railroad, Olympic Peninsula Antique Tractor and Engine Association, and Kitsap Peninsula Mycological Society. Carnival rides are also available beginning noon every day.
Friday’s entertainment will highlight some new performers on the Family Stage, including a Tribute to Patsy Cline at noon, Dance Gallery at 2 p.m., Borderline PNW Dance Team at 6 p.m. and Kapana Pu’uwai at 7 p.m.
