Dedication, royal introductions part of fair opening

BONNERS FERRY — The Boundary County Fair kicked off the opening ceremonies on Aug. 15, with help from Ken Goggia, Vice-Chairman of the Fair Board, along with Paula Burt, the Fair Administrator. With the smell of fresh shavings and fair food permeating the air, people filled the seats on either side of the arena.

Introductions were made and two new members were introduced, Stacey Watts and Ben Robertson.

“We want to extend a big thank you to all exhibitors and volunteers for your past and continued support of our fair,” said Goggia to the audience.

The 2018 Fair Royalty entered the barn escorted by family or friends, including Kira Carla-Hull, Katelyn Hutchinson, Crysta and Mallory McLeish, Caleb Petersen, and Michaela Worley.

The Boy Scout Troop #114 then presented the colors, followed by a prayer by Boundary County Chaplain Len Pine. Distinguished Young Woman First Runner Up Jerzie Pluid filled the hall with her rendition the National Anthem.

The FFA officers then took their place around the arena, conducting their official opening, followed by 2018 Distinguished Young Woman of the year, Shawna Siver, who spoke about her experience so far.

“The Be Your Best Self Program has helped me greatly to overcome challenges that I’ve had in my life recently, and helped me to see that it is easy to be your best self as long as you just try,” Siver said. “I am really excited to go to State this year. I am more than excited to represent Bonners Ferry at State.”

During the opening ceremony, they also revealed the brand new sign and name of the Pig/Sheep Barn, now called the “Don Alexander Livestock Pavilion”, named in memory of Don Alexander, who passed away last fall, and who was also a huge contributor to the fair, as well as the instigator behind the building of his namesake barn. They revealed that the voting had been done without the knowledge of Gayle Alexander, who recently retired from the fair board, along with Craig Kelson.

Next, the Little Prince and Princess were announced. The names were drawn at random and Emma Robertson was chosen to represent the fair and wear her sash and tiara, while Dominic Solum was chosen and awarded his sash.

David Brinkman stepped in as the auctioneer this year for the bake sale, and proved again that everyone that he knows the name of, is fair game, as he called out people one at a time, driving the bids higher and higher. At the end, $1,700 was raised this year, down from the $2,360 that was raised in 2017. Despite the decrease in sales, the bidding was fierce, and the royalty paraded the baked goods around with smiles and pride.

Next, the Fair Royalty were chosen. The had received scored from a group of judges, based on academics, community involvement, letter of interest written by the students, as well as letters of recommendation. 2017 Fair Royalty Brittany Spangler crowned the new Fair King Caleb Petersen, and Fair Queen Katelyn Hutchinson. Hutchinson received a $500 scholarship from the Boundary County Fair Board and Petersen received a $500 scholarship from the 4-H Leaders Association. All of the fair royalty also received $100 from the 4-H Leaders Association.

“It is an honor,” said Petersen, who plans on attending Brigham Young University-Idaho to study Animal Science. “Is a really cool experience to represent the fair, and the ideals of the fair — and agriculture.”

The ceremony drew to a close and the Boundary County Fair was officially opened.