A strong slate of grandstand entertainment led by nationally renowned stand-up comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, plus perennial favorites such as the animals, carnival and food, highlight the 107th Northwest Washington Fair, scheduled Aug. 14-19 in Lynden. For nearby lodging options, visit bellingham.org/lodging.
This year’s fair also includes “American Idol” winner and country star Scotty McCreery, the hard-rock sound of Night Ranger, the Lynden PRCA Rodeo and the always-popular demolition derby. But the core of the Northwest Washington Fair remains agriculture, according to manager Jim Baron.
“The extensive support we receive from farmers, FFA members and 4-H members who bring us draft horses, cows, goats, pigs and much more enables us to promote understanding and appreciation of agriculture in Whatcom County,” said Jim Baron, fair manager. “And these animals are quite popular with fairgoers.”
The Northwest Washington Fair, which annually draws close to 200,000 attendees each year, will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day. Gate admission is $13 for adults, $11 for seniors 62 and older and $8 for children ages 6-12. Children 5 and younger are admitted for free.
Discounted admission tickets (adults, $11; seniors, $9; children, $7) will be available July 26-Aug. 13 at Haggen Northwest Fresh stores in Whatcom and Skagit counties and Peoples Bank branches in Whatcom County. Family value packs of two adult admission tickets, two children’s admission tickets and two one-day carnival passes are offered for $89 July 18-Aug. 13 exclusively at Little Caesars Pizza stores in Whatcom and Skagit counties. All-day carnival passes for $26 (regularly $33) also are available on those dates at Little Caesars Pizza.
The Bank of the Pacific Grandstand Entertainment Series starts with the demolition derby on Monday, Aug. 14 (shows at 12:30 and 7:30 p.m.). The Lynden PRCA Rodeo then draws some of the top professional cowboys and barrel racers in the world for competition at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15 and Wednesday, Aug. 16. The rodeo is followed by three top-flight entertainment acts, all at 7:30 p.m.: Night Ranger on Thursday, Aug. 17; McCreery on Friday, Aug. 18; and capped by Iglesias on Saturday, Aug. 19.
Tickets for all of the grandstand entertainment can be purchased at www.nwwafair.com and the fair office, 1775 Front St., Lynden, and by phone at (877) 699-FAIR. VIP packages also are available for each performance. Grandstand tickets don’t include gate admission
Healthy practices, such as washing hands and drinking plenty of fluids, will continue to be emphasized at the fair.
“An excellent preventive measure at the fair and anywhere is washing hands thoroughly and frequently,” Baron said. “There are 24 hand-washing stations throughout the fairgrounds in addition to public restrooms.”
Highlights of this year’s Northwest Washington Fair include:
- Free grandstand horse shows will be presented at noon and 5 p.m. Aug. 15-19 with the exception of 5 p.m. Saturday due to the extensive setup of video screens required for Iglesias. Separate draft horse shows are scheduled at 1:15 p.m. Aug. 15-16 in the Washington Tractor Arena
- Children 10 and younger are admitted for free Aug. 15-16 to the Lynden PRCA Rodeo
- X-Treme AirDogs will present several competitions each day. Events include dogs jumping off a dock into a pool for length and height
- Two premier magicians, Tony Oberio and Adam the Great, will amaze you and make you laugh on the Banner Bank Festival Stage and while walking around the fairgrounds.
- Also, the popular music group Time Benders is back on this stage with its fast-moving choreography, amazing costume changes, and songs from different genres. The Banner Bank Festival Stage offers entertainment daily from late morning through the evening
- Carnival rides and games for all ages will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
- The Wenatchee Youth Circus, “The Biggest Little Circus in the World,” returns with hhigh wireand flying trapeze artists, fire acts and aerial acts after becoming a hit with fairgoers last year. Performances are scheduled at 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. Aug. 14-18 and 1, 3 and 5 p.m. Aug. 19
One of the biggest attractions is the quality and variety of animals on display. Most of the Northwest Washington Fair’s buildings are filled with hundreds of cows, horses, pigs, sheep and more local farmers and 4-H and FFA youth.
The schedule of featured grandstand performances follows (prices don’t include gate admission, which is required):
- Monday, Aug. 14 – Demolition Derby. Reserved grandstand tickets are $10 for the 12:30 p.m. show and $18 for the 7:30 p.m. show
- Tuesday, Aug. 15, and Wednesday, Aug. 16 – Lynden PRCA Rodeo, 7:30 p.m.; $15 for ages 11 and older; ages 10 and younger admitted free
- Thursday, Aug. 17 – Night Ranger, 7:30 p.m.; preferred seats, $25; general admission, free
- Friday, Aug. 18 – Scotty McCreery, 7:30 p.m.; preferred seats, $35; reserved seats, $25
- Saturday, Aug. 19 – Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, 7:30 p.m.; preferred seats, $50; reserved seats, $30