Countdown to 2005 San Juan County Fair

The 2005 San Juan County Fair runs August 17 trhough Saturday, August 20. We've counted down the days with a list of 30 things you can do at the fair. For more information visit www.sanjuancountyfair.org

1. Dog Agility While the rule at the fair is "No Dogs", there is one exception - the 4-H Dog Agility Demonstration. Check out the talented dogs and patient kids at 1 p.m. Friday in the main arena.

2. STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES The Flower exhibit is one of the most beautiful parts of the fair. A variety of cuttings from island gardens is exhibited in the shaded area on the outside of the main building.

3. LEARN PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS Several demonstrations about various aspects of photography are scheduled. From how to prepare a photo for publishing to photoshop to digital photography will be presented. The schedule is posted on the Fair's Web site.

4. CATCH UP WITH NON-PROFIT GROUPS Visit the booths of several island non-profits. Find out what the Land Bank, the Whale Museum or other island groups are planning.

5. LISTEN TO LOCALS Steve Dyer, Mike and Avery, Kirk Fuhrmeister, One More Time Band, Byington Boys, Kubatana, Debbie Nash Strasser are among the musicians who have slots on the entertainment schedule for the 2005 county fair. Check out the complete entertainment schedule on the FAIR WEB SITE

6. LEARN ABOUT TURNING BOWLS, PAINTING, SCULPTING, TILE MAKING and more Only six days until the fair. Check out the schedule of art demonstrations on the FAIR WEB SITE

7. WATCH THE ZUCCHINI RACES Join the crowds and watch the zany Zucchini Races. Particpants create either a stock racer using a whole zucchini or a custom racer which includes some part of a zucchini. Races take place at 5 p.m. each day at the skatepark. PHOTOS OF 2004 RACES

8. FIND OUT WHAT THE 4-Hers HAVE BEEN UP TO Come see the County's 4-Hers in action, displaying and presenting the projects they have been working on throughout the year. The SJC Fair is the finale for our 4-Hers. The role of our 4-Hers at Fair is mult-faceted. Not only are they being judged and given feedback on what they have learned with their clubs over the year, they are completing a vital community service effort as "teachers" - educating Fair visitors, young and old alike, about their projects.

4-Hers will be presenting and exhibiting projects in photography, leadership, gardening, wood art, environmental stewardship, writing, sewing, quilting, weaving, rocketry, singing, fine arts, public speaking, baking and of course, many kinds of animals from rabbits to horses. Our special 4-H fundraiser, the 4-H Livestock Auction, happens during the Fair, on Saturday. Come to this exciting live auction and support our 4-Hers and the 4-H program.

The Fair is one of our County's largest community events and 4-H is there in service to help make it an educational and fun event for all. Check out the 4-H schedule so you can stop by "where there's magic in the air." Have a safe and enjoyable visit to the Fair.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17

9:00 AM Horse Events begin in the Main Arena
9:00 AM-2:30 PM Beef, Dairy & Swine Showmanship & Type; Sheep Type only, Livestock Barns
10:00 AM Poultry, Rabbit, Cavy Showmanship, Poultry/Rabbit Tent
3:00 PM Horse Judging, Main Arena
3:30-4:30 PM Sheep Obstacle Events, 4-H Arena
4:30 PM Chicken and Rabbit Races, Main Arena
6:00 PM-9:30 PM Horse Games, Main Arena

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18

9:00 AM Horse Events, Main Arena
9:00 AM-12:00 PM Sheep Showmanship, 4-H Arena
10:00-11:00 AM Llama/Alpaca Showmanship, 4-H Dog Tent
12:30 PM Chicken and Rabbit Races, Main Arena
1:00-3:30 PM Llama/Alpaca Obstacle Course, 4-H Dog Tent
1:00-3:00 PM 4-H Goat Showmanship and Type, 4-H Arena
3:00-5:00 PM Large Animal Round Robin Contest, Main Arena
6:00-9:30 PM Horse Games, Main Arena

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19

9:00 AM Horse Events, Main Arena
9:00 AM-12:00 PM Dog Showmanship and Obedience, Dog Tent
1:00 PM Interactive Display Contest, Meet at 4-H Building @ 12:45
1:00-3:00 PM Dog Agility, Main Arena
3:00-4:00 PM Livestock and Small Animal Costume Contest, 4H Arena
4:00 PM Small Animal Round Robin, 4-H Arena
6:00 PM-9:30 PM Horse Games, Main Arena

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20

9:00 AM Horse Jumping Events 4-H and Open Class, Main Arena
10:30 AM-12:30 PM Demonstration Contest, 4-H Building
12:30 PM Chicken and Rabbit Races, Main Arena
2:00-4:00 PM Livestock Auction, 4-H Arena
4:00-6:00 PM 4-H Awards Ceremony, Main Arena

9. AGRICULTURE TENT: MINIMALIST's LANDSCAPE: WSU Master Gardener Fiona Norris will present information about mulch and drought resistant plants at 3:30 Saturday, August 20 in the Agriculture Tent. Agricultural Tent Schedule

10. AGRICULTURAL TENT: AWESOME ALPACAS - A Local Perspective will be presented by Albert Olsen and Candy Hoeschen of Krystal Acres Farm at 1:30 p.m. Friday, August 19 in the Agriculture tent. Agricultural Tent Schedule

11. STEAK DINNER Support Friday Harbor sports teams and enjoy a delicious dinner Saturday night.

12. WILD CELLIST CORBIN KEEP will perform on Thursday, Friday and Saturday bringing new meaning to the idea of what a cello can do. From rock to animal sounds, Corbin will amaze with his versatility and imagination.

13. SHEEP TO SHAWL Teams of carders, spinners and weavers compete to complete a 20" by 72" shawl in five hours. Be sure to buy a raffle ticket for your chance to take the shawl home. LAST YEAR's SHEEP TO SHAWL

14. THE FABULOUS RHYTHMATICS a very popular island band that will rock the dance floor. Check out their WEB SITE for more details about the band.

15. ISLAND LOOP RUN While the Island Loop Run is not technically a part of the fair, it does end up at the fairgrounds. So as part of the 30 Things to Do at the Fair, here is info about the run. Island Rec and San Juan Island Fitness have teamed up to organize this fun race scheduled for Saturday, August 20. Registrations received by August 8 are $10 for kids 12 and under and $15 for racers 13 and older. Registration fee includes, an event t-shirt and free entry into the fair! Registration fees increase by $5 after August 8. MORE INFORMATION

16. SHOE DECORATING COMPETITION Check out the variety of footwear at the Shoe Decorating competition. Past entries included a laced up loaf of bread.

17. LIVESTOCK JUDGING Check out the pigs, goats and sheep raised by 4-H kids. Judging takes place from 3 to 6 p.m.

18. GAMES ON HORSEBACK At 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Aug. 17-19, 4 H Games on Horseback take place in the main arena. The complete horse event schedule is posted on the FAIR's WEB SITE.

19. JO MILLER & HER BURLY ROUGHNECKS San Juan County Fair opens in 19 days. Saturday night's entertainment finale will be Jo Miller & Her Burly Roughnecks, swingin', rockin', Americana roots music. Jo and the band come at it with great style. Top off your Fair fun with this fabulous Seattle group.

20. SPECIAL FAMILY ACTIVITIES Check out the Triangle Exhibit Area which features special Family Activities including:

The Let's Pretend Circus presenting 3 shows a day where the kids and adults are the show!
The Peddle Tractor Pull, San Juan style, with a chance for kids to test their muscle power.
An Activities Tent with ongoing crafts for kids including basket making, bubble wands and painting.
Participatory Music for kids of all ages.
The "Sand Box" full of grains and beans for the young ones to play and explore.

21. LOCAL HARVEST BAND Great music by local musicians in a community effort. Come hear the best of San Juan Island with special guest performers. Loads of fun and not to be missed.

22. CHICKEN and RABBIT RACES Where else can you enjoy the excitement and drama of Chicken and Rabbit Races? The event takes place daily in the main arena. Watching the human coaches urge their racers on is the kind of entertainment not to be missed.

23. HORSEMANSHIP DEMONSTRATION Sus Kellogg will be presenting a horsemanship demonstration at the Fair this year. The demonstration, or exhibition, is about the natural partnership and harmony between horse and human, on the ground and riding, and will be both educational and inspirational.

24. PHOTOGRAPHY Share your photography talent with the rest of the county. Fairgoers can peruse hundreds of photos in a variety of categories. Entries are due between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 16.

25. CARNIVAL RIDES The carnival rides light up the night until 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and to midnight on Friday and Saturday. Kids get a special deal on Friday afternoon. They can ride all the rides they want between noon and 5 p.m. for the discounted price of $15.

26. WEATHERED WOOD As you are strolling along the beach, trying to cool off this weekend, keep your eye out for weird looking driftwood. The driftwood exhibit, officially called Weathered Wood, is a popular feature of the fair. The category has three classes - Art pieces, caricactures and collages. The first two categories are divided into untouched and decorated lots. The collage catergory is broken down into: scenes set on table or shelf, plaque under 8 inches, plaque over 8 inches, wreath (all pieces found on the beach) and mobile.

Wood entries must be natural, no manufactured materials such as sea gulls or false eyes. Entries may contain rocks, shells, beach glass, kelp and other natural materials found on the beach. Glue or wire may be used. Nails and tacks can used for positioningonly, not as part of the design. Entries are accepted between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 16.

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28. WOOL SHED Last year the Wool Shed won the prestigious Black & White Ribbon from the state. The Wool Shed houses two sections: Fiber Arts and Textile Arts. Be sure to stroll through the exhibits and see the incredible high-quaility items your fellow islanders created during the past year. The Wool Shed has won the Black and White Ribbon in 1990, 1996 and 1997.

29. TRASH TO TREASURE What can you make out of discarded items? Visit the Trash to Treasure exhibit for inspiration. Last year, one creative soul built a park bench out of old skis.

30. WRITTEN WORD Reading might not be the first thing that comes to mind when choosing activities at a fair, but many fairgoers do just that at the San Juan County Fair. The Written Word exhibit in the main fair building includes comfortable seating and easy access to literary efforts by county residents. If you'd like to share your written work, the deadline for entries is July 25. Entry guidelines are in the fair premium book and also available at your local library. If you have any questions about entries, please contact department superintendent Amy Wynn at Wynn@rockisland.com or at 378-2912

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