Wow! I spent most of the weekend at the Pierce County Fair and it was fun. The number of activities provided for all ages was amazing. The fairgrounds looked great!

Hats off to the entire crew of volunteers.

People who come to the fair for the fun may not understand all the work it takes to plan something this big. Some of the volunteers are there for shifts, but many of the volunteers (especially fair board members and their spouses and families) are present night and day for all three days. Their attention to detail makes the activities enjoyable for all who partake in them.

The fair board starts planning shortly after the last fair ends. They review what worked and what didn’t. They book the entertainment for next year as soon as possible, as to have the best chance of getting someone who will draw a crowd. They attend the State Fair Convention, usually in November, to see what other acts or activities they can add to the line-up. Many of these acts perform at the convention, so that fair board members from all over the state can see them before booking.

The hardest thing to book is a carnival with rides and games, as there are so few around here, anymore. The ones that are available get scooped up immediately by other fairs. For instance, if a fair association is lucky enough to have a midway, they book them for the next year as soon as they arrive at this year’s fair.

However inflatable games, like the Pierce County Fair provides, are great fun for kids of all ages and no one gets sick on them. Kids are interactive rather than passively riding.

The games under the tent for the kids was a wonderful way to get kids unplugged and interacting outside. They seemed to be having fun.

I enjoyed the Poetry Slam, which was a new event this year.

Jodie Kirchofner did a great job as emcee of the talent show.

It is good to see that livestock showing is still a part of the fair. The 4-H exhibits as well as the local exhibits were great.

A good time was had by all those who attended.