Adams County fair starts tomorrow

OTHELLO - This week is fair time for Adams County.

The Adams County Fair runs Wednesday through Sunday at the Adams County Fairgrounds in Othello. The theme is "Scarin' up some fun." Gates open at 8 a.m. with livestock judging taking place until Friday, the demolition derby on Wednesday night and the rodeo taking place Friday and Saturday night.

"The barns are pretty much filled," fair board President Merritt Johnson said. "The hog counts are pretty high this year."

Johnson expects about 30,000 people to attend, he said. The smaller size is part of the draw and people come back year after year to see people they hadn't seen since the last fair.

"We try to keep it a small county fair," he said. "We try to keep it as hometown friendly as possible."

Along with the carnival and rodeo, there will be two stages hosting a juggler, two musicians, a clown act and other acts. Johnson said he wants to keep the price of the fair down for families.

"A family can come out and not have to buy anything to have a good time," he said.

One of the stages is located in the food court, a change made last year. Johnson said the board kept the stage there after having a good reception to it last year.

"We bring the entertainment to the people," he said. "A lot of the entertainers say they like performing on that stage, rather than on the main stage because it's a lot easier to get involvement from the people."

Tickets are available at the gate and cost $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and children between 7 and 11 years old and children under 6 are free. A family package for four adults and two children is available for $20.