Opening ceremony a step back in time
Photo by Mandi Bateman CJ Tuma placed the highest bid of the night, buying the award winning chocolate cake for $370, at the bake sale.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Fair Queen Brittany Spangler goes in for a hug with the two fair Princesses Kassy Skeen and Crysta McLeish, wile Little Princess Kaydence Alexander applauds.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Baked Goods Best of Class entries were auctioned off during the Opening Ceremonies.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Auctioneer, David Brinkman, had the audience laughing and bidding.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Fair Royalty: Back row- Kassy Skeen, Brittany Spangler, and Crysta McLeish. Front row- Kaydence Alexander and Landon Fuller.
Photo by Mandi Bateman 2017 Distinguished Young Woman Hannah Sims with 2017 Little Princess Kaydence Alexander.
BONNERS FERRY — In a fast paced, technological world, where people count their friends on Facebook, share photo updates of their lives on Instagram, or Tweet their latest moods, the Boundary County Fair offered the perfect opportunity to take a lazy step back in time.
People gathered at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 16, in the Indoor Arena, clambered up the worn wood booths and settled in while a train rumbled by outside. The smell of barnyard mingled with that of fresh shavings while the hum of people conversing with old and new friends filled the small building.
Boundary County Fair Vice-Chairman Ken Goggia welcomed the fair goers along with new administrator, Paula Burt. Fathers escorted their 2017 Fair Royalty daughters, Crysta McLeish, Kassy Skeen, and Brittany Spangler, into the arena.
With a precision steeped in tradition, Boy Scout Troop #114 performed the Presentation of the Colors, followed by a prayer by Boundary County Chaplain Len Pine, who then shook the inside of the small arena with his tremendous voice as he sang the national anthem.
The 4-H pledge was performed by the fair royalty, then the Future Farmers of America stood in the corners of the arena and recited a neatly choreographed opening. Hannah Sims, the 2017 Boundary County Distinguished Young Woman, graced the audience with a brief account of her experiences thus far. Miss Teen of Idaho Maya Roberts was next to follow.
“Throughout the year there are many amazing people who support the fair through their generous hours of volunteering or monetary donations which help further fairground improvements,” Goggia said, recognizing several businesses. “Thank you for making Boundary County such a special place to live and contributing to our great fair every year.”
The Little Prince and Princess were announced, Kaydence Alexandra and Landon Fuller received their sashes and Princess Alexandra also got her tiara, that was the perfect accent to her elegant blue dress.
The Baked Goods auction had the audience laughing as auctioneer David Brinkman joked with the audience, calling them out by name as the bidding progressed on the items from the Baked Goods Best of Class. The fair royalty paraded each item, beginning with a decorated cake that resembled a hamburger and fries.
The Grand Champion winning chocolate cake had a steep bidding war, eventually won by CJ Tuma and his family, sold for $370. The auction raised $2,060, significantly more than the previous year.
Last year’s fair royalty, Malorie Stippich, crowned Spangler as the 2017 Queen, and Skeen and McLeish as the Princesses.
The 2017 Opening Ceremonies were then concluded. “All buildings and exhibits are now officially open to explore and enjoy,” said Goggia, thanking the audience for attending and supporting the fair.
The audience spilled out into the fairgrounds that were bathed in the warm, yellow light of the setting sun, and disappeared into the mingling crowd.