Entertainment - Fair

POSTED: Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009

More animals, motorcycles and local acts coming to fair in Lynden

LYNDEN - There will be something new for kids and carpenters alike at this year's Northwest Washington Fair, which runs Monday, Aug. 17, to Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center.

For kids and animal lovers, the new Cargill Nutrena Small Animal Experience will be a draw. The Henry Jansen building will be filled with piglets, chicks, calves and bunnies, as well as 10- to 17-year-old volunteers available to lead kids through the interactive exhibit.

The free twice-daily horse shows at 1 and 6 p.m. are getting a few additions, including mutton busting and the Kiesner Family Wild West Revue.

For bike and action fans, the fair will feature a freestyle motocross event by Metal Mulisha at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, with legendary rider Mike Metzger. Metzger set a world-record motorcycle jump - with a back flip thrown in - that's a YouTube highlight. Tickets are $15 for reserve seating and $8 for those 12 and younger.

"Motor sports just seem to have a huge general appeal," fair manager Jim Baron said. "Our demolition derby sells out every year. I'm really expecting this to be a sellout, too."

The fair also has expanded its community stage this year to allow more than 20 local bands a place to perform. The community stage is located by the water tower. Shows will start daily at 3:30 p.m., with four bands performing each day, including Fritz & the Freeloaders, Sabrina y los Reyes and Laura Overstreet. The Bellingham High School Alumni Band also will play at the fair Saturday.

"We're ecstatic about all the participation. I was surprised how many good bands there are locally," Baron said. "The fair is about a lot of things. Agriculture is what it's known for, but it's about the community. To have all of these musical groups from throughout the county participate is really fun."

If carnival games aren't in your budget this year, The Lounge will offer free video games and activities for teens, including a Guitar Hero competition.

Construction will be close up as Habitat for Humanity builds a house for a local family on the grounds during the run of the fair.

"Typically they buy a lot and build the house right on the lot, so to build it at the fair and bring it to the lot, it certainly is new for Whatcom County's Habitat," Baron said.

For the first time in years, the fair will cost more at the gate. Ticket prices increased to $10 from $8.

Though discounted tickets were sold before the fair, there will be none available fair week. It's the most discounting the fair has ever done, Baron said, and people responded well.

Though Grandstand events, food and carnival tickets cost extra, the goal is to provide as many activities as possible for the new ticket price.

"The $10 ticket gets you to a lot of stuff that's free," Baron said. "That's one of our focuses."

SHUTTLES AND PARKING

Shuttle: A free shuttle will run every 12 minutes from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday to take people to and from the fair. Several stops will be located throughout Lynden's downtown area, with signs that say "Fair shuttle bus stops here."

Bus: Whatcom Transportation Authority will offer free service to the fair. Route 26 will offer hourly service from 5:50 a.m. to 6:50 p.m., departing from Cordata Station. The route will depart from the fair from 6:39 a.m. to 7:32 p.m. There will be an additional late shuttle bus departing at 10 p.m. from the Fairway Center bus stop across the street from the fair. This late bus will drop off passengers at Cordata Station or the downtown Bellingham station. Call 676-RIDE for more information.

Parking: Limited pay parking is available in lots walking distance from the fairgrounds.

FAIR TIMES

The fair runs from Monday, Aug. 17, to Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center, 1775 Front St. Gates open at 9 a.m., with vendors opening at 10 a.m. and carnival rides starting at 11 a.m. The fair closes at 11 p.m. daily. For more information about the fair go to nwwafair.com.

TICKETS

Adult tickets cost $10; seniors 62 and older are $8; ages 6 to 12 are $5; and 5 and younger are free.