Catch the bug

Adams Co. Fair offers new experiences

OTHELLO — The Adams County Fair officially opened the gates at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Ask anyone who has exhibited at the Adams County Fair and they will tell you it is the most easy going fair you can attend. The grassy grounds are dotted with vendors and food booths. The barns are a comfortably close walk, but not so close as to detract from the fair experience for those not interested in livestock.

As the sun goes down, the grounds come alive with people out of school and off work. Staff and fairgoers alike are all smiles to visitors from near and far.

This year's fair, themed "Catch the Bug" offered much of the same from years past.

The popular a cappella group, Vocal Trash, returned this year. Bringing voices accompanied by trash can lids, the band played contemporary pop and rock music favorites at 6 and 9 p.m. Saturday.

"We're hoping people will catch the six o'clock show and then go to the rodeo," said Charlette Johnson. "We really enjoyed them last year."

The fair was also happy to see the return of Nevada Slim and Cimarron Sue. A perennial act at the Adams County Fair, they have played from crowds as small as two or three people mid-day and much larger crowds in the evenings. This year was no exception with Slim and Sue putting on shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Another local favorite, the kids tractor pull contest, was back this year. During the contest kids were challenged to pedal a small tractor with varying amounts of weight in the back as far as they can.

The fair is also tried out some new activities this year.

The first of the new events was the Hershey's Chocolate Bake-Off. Children and adults were invited to enter recipes that included at least one-quarter cup of Hershey's Chocolate. Baked goods had to be entered with a recipe and include the name Hershey's Chocolate to qualify for the contest.

Another of the new events for this year was the opening of the carnival on Sunday. The fair opened the gates Sunday for those who are not able to get a day off from work during the rest of the week to bring their families in for the carnival. Two local Latino bands played the stage Sunday. All Sunday admissions were free.

"The gate fee will be by donation only. We're trying to open the fair up to more people and help the carnival off-set gas prices," said Johnson.

The Adams County Fair also saw an increase in exhibitors this year.

"There are 40 more entries in food preservation this year and the number of sheep exhibitors went from 90 to 130," Johnson said.

For those interested in sampling the fair with their appetites there were several offerings for the hungry.

Alongside the favorites — spoon tacos, homemade pies and chicken dinners — were some newcomers, including mini doughnuts and lemonade. Another fair favorite, elephant ears, was offered in a smaller, pig's ear, version for those craving the taste of an elephant ear without the portion size.

There were also two nights of rodeo beginning on Friday and Saturday.

The last full day of the Adams County Fair also included the annual Adams County Fair and Othello Rodeo Parade on Saturday in downtown Othello.