PORT ANGELES — Preparation for Thursday’s opening of the 2013 Clallam County Fair began nearly a year ago and has taken thousands of hours.
On Tuesday, the fairgrounds at 1608 W. 16th St. was show-ready and awaited only the arrival of vendors and exhibitors.
Tents, benches and stages were arranged on mowed lawns, banners and signs fluttering.
New coats of white paint covered many venues, and animal show rings were manicured with concentric rings of plow marks.
A steady buzz of activity continues today as children move their animals into show barns and carnival workers put together rides, which will grind to life at noon Thursday for the fair’s annual four-day run.
Long before the rodeo Saturday and Sunday and before the animal judging starts Thursday, a small army of workers and volunteers had to complete the myriad tasks that need to be done for the annual fair, Fair Manager Shari Ioffrida said Monday.
“We logged over 4,500 volunteer hours mostly in August alone. That doesn’t even count the number of volunteer hours throughout the rest of the year,” Ioffrida said.
When the fair gates open at the fairgrounds, which are next to Lincoln Park and William R. Fairchild International Airport, at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, the fairgrounds and exhibitors will be ready, Ioffrida said.
Daily entry costs $8 for adults, $6 for seniors 62 and older and students ages 13-17, $5 for children 6 to 12, and children 5 and younger are admitted free.
A pass for all four days costs $24 for adults, $13 for seniors and students, and $12 for children.
“A lot of people are taking ‘fair-cations,’” Ioffrida said.
She said she has seen a trend in the slowly improving economy in that many families seem to be staying home and using the fair as their vacation trip.
The inexpensive entry, and Kids Day offering free admission for children 12 and younger before 6 p.m. Thursday, makes it an affordable “stay-cation” activity, she said.
Today is the final day to purchase carnival one-day all-ride passes for $25.
They are available in Port Angeles at Wilder Auto Center, 97 Deer Park Road; Higher Grounds, 802 C St. or 510 N. Oakridge Drive; Swain’s General Store, 602 E. First St.; or the Clallam County Fairgrounds office.
Carnival tickets are sold in Sequim at Pacific Mist Books, 121 W. Washington St.; Clallam Bay at the Weel Road Deli, 17203 state Highway 112; in Forks at Forks Outfitters, 950 S. Forks Ave.; and in Neah Bay at Washburn General Store, 1450 Bayview Ave.
Thursday will open with Kids’ Day events at KidZone, as well as bike races, fire prevention activities, the Rowdy Referees Game show at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Roberto the Magnificent juggling workshop, pony rides and a rock climbing wall.
There also will be a free kids’ crafts activity from noon to 4 p.m. in the Home Arts barn.
The day’s event also includes the 4-H horse show and poultry, goat, cat and dog events in the barn and show ring areas.
A 4-H dog drill team will perform at 6 p.m. at the dog arena.
The Draft Horse Show, Thursday’s main event, begins at 6 p.m. at the Grandstand.
Music and entertainment acts will continue through the day at two stages.
Opening ceremonies will be held at 10 a.m. at the Sunny Farms Central Stage, followed by the Klahhane Cheerleaders at 10:30 a.m., Young Fiddlers at 11:30 p.m., Old Sidekicks at 1 p.m., the Dancing Grandmas at 2 p.m., Roberto the Magnificent at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Buck Ellard at 5 p.m.
The Wilder Auto Community Stage acts include Brian Ledbetter Magic at noon and 2 p.m., the Black Vinyl All Stars at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and the 6 p.m. introduction of fair royalty — Queen Torrie McIntyre and Princesses Naomi Gish, Grace Koenigsaecker and Lily Paulsen — at the Wilder Auto Community Stage.
Saturday’s main events will be the Cavallo Equestrian Arts fancy riding show; the 4-H Western Games; two performances by Petty Fever, a Tom Petty tribute band; continuing 4-H animal shows; and children’s activities at the KidZone.
Friday’s events include the Logging Show, the rodeo, the Aaron Crawford Country Band, continuing 4-H animal shows and children’s activities at the KidZone.
The fair concludes Sunday with the Demolition Derby, rodeo, the fair Variety & Talent Show, the Kiss a Pig finale, continuing 4-H animal shows and children’s activities at the KidZone.
This year’s theme, “Party ’Til the Cows Come Home,” was selected from among dozens of entries from the public.
The fair already is looking for a 2014 fair theme, Ioffrida said.
Entry forms will be available at the entrances or at the information booth in a drop box.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.