County fair contests invite community involvement

BONNERS FERRY — Scarecrows, sunflowers and late summer fun are coming up as the Boundary County Fair presents its annual celebration of community, agriculture, and livestock Aug. 17 through 20. A community mainstay since 1920, the fair offers plenty of options for getting involved. For those who have always wanted to participate as well as those who take part regularly, now is the time to get an entry ready for one of the many contests on offer. 

"Judging by the number of ribbons we give out, we get more than 1,000 entries," said Linda Cromwell, summer staffer at the BCF office.

Businesses can participate in the window display contest, which is sponsored by the Boundary County Fair board. Displays should reflect this year's official theme, "The Season of Scarecrows and Sunflowers." The winning display will receive a free half-page advertisement in next year's fair booklet and a ribbon award. Businesses must preregister, and judging will take place Tuesday, Aug. 16, according to the 2016 fair booklet.

For the younger set, contests include a coloring competition, "Vegetable Critters," "Monster Cookie" baking and the paper airplane flying contest. Winning entrants will receive first, second and third place prizes in six age categories ranging from under 3 to 18 years of age. Adults can join in, too, according to the guide.

The "Season of Scarecrows and Sunflowers" coloring sheets are available at several locations, including the Fair office, Boundary County Library, Zips, the Naples Store and the Moyie Springs Store. Vegetable critter entries must consist of vegetables, either homegrown or purchased, accessorized with a minimum of non-edible items and secured with pins or glue. To participate in the "Monster Cookie" event, entrants must bake one giant cookie -- at least 8 inches across -- and decorate it with edible adornments in any fashion they wish. Young aviators can build their paper airplane entries at Memorial Lawn Hanger Friday, Aug. 19, or they can bring one they have already built. Winners will be those whose paper crafts fly the farthest, according to the publication. Deadlines for entries vary, but many are during the days of the fair. For further information, contact the Boundary County Fair Association at the number listed below.

The "Little Princess and Prince" competition is open to children between the ages of 3 and 10. Applications are available at the Fair office, and the submission deadline is 11:30 a.m. Aug. 17. A drawing for winners will take place during opening ceremonies, according to fair officials.

Contests especially for adults at the 2016 fair include the "Scare a Crow" competition for the most creative scarecrow, the "Pick the Flowers?" scavenger hunt and a dutch oven cooking contest. Bakers can whip up entries for the "Let Your Imagination Bloom" dessert contest. Entrants should deliver their dessert or desserts in disposable containers and include a copy of the recipe for each one.

Other friendly competitions on tap at this year's fair include zucchini races, biggest and smallest tomato competitions, a blueberry pie eating contest, a pit spitting contest, a watermelon eating contest and an arm wrestling tournament.

"The watermelon-eating contest is one of the most popular contests for kids," said Cromwell, adding that they also field lots of open-class entries in the vegetable and herb category.

All these activities are in addition to the traditional displays, exhibits, food and games that community members look forward to every summer, and of course the annual Boundary County Fair parade, which gets underway Saturday, Aug. 29 at noon, is open for entries as well. 

Friday night, the much-anticipated livestock auction will take place. Members of 4-H clubs will auction off the animals they raised to the highest bidder. This is always a fun, exciting event, according to Kersteins.

"Saturday is our big day geared toward the kids," said Sandy Kerstiens, who has help organize the Boundary County Fair for 10 years. "We have the watermelon-eating and pit-spitting contests. Saturday night is Family Fun Night."

Each person planning to take part needs a signed release and entry form, which will be available Wednesday, Aug. 17, at the 4-H fairgrounds office. Since it is a fundraiser for area 4-H clubs, adult admission is $2 and school-age children pay $1 to get in. Included on the Family Fun Night event schedule are gunny sack and wheelbarrow races, horse events, a duck/chicken scramble for children 5 and under, and greased pig contests for older children and adults.

A free dance in the indoor arena will follow, giving adults the chance to socialize and relax after a fun-packed day at the fair. A DJ will be spinning the tunes.

"We just want to get people hyped up a bit," Kerstiens said. "We want them to come on down, it's a free fair, there's lots to eat, games and exhibits. We're trying to encourage more open-class exhibits, too."

Information: Boundary County Fair Office, 267-7041, bcfair@boundarycountyid.org.