Record turnout expected for fair

The Sanders County Fair’s green, green grass will start filling with feet on Sept. 2, the beginning of fair week, and by week’s end the smooth dirt of the main arena will be torn up, possibly still showing crash evidence with car parts on the surface from the fair’s biggest event — the demolition derby.

Manager Melissa Cady said the fair is going to be amazing this year with 25 food and drink vendors and 150 commercial vendors — a record — and will include world famous chainsaw carver Steven Higgins of Missouri, who will be auctioning one of his pieces during Sunday’s demolition derby and giving a portion of the money to the fair. “We expect a great turnout and for everyone to have the best experience,” said Cady, who added that they have several younger “up and coming artists” for the open mic entertainment on the green.

Action in the arena begins Thursday at 7 p.m. with the traditional bull riding and women’s barrel racing competition, but young locals will have the chance to show off their riding — or clinging — skills in the mutton-bustin’ contest. Children must be 5-7 years old and not exceed 55 pounds. Contestants have to wear long-sleeve shirts, long pants and sturdy shoes or boots. Protective vests and helmets will be provided.

Rodeo competition takes place at 7 p.m. the following two evenings. “We expect a record turnout this year for all the events. Powder River Rodeo, LLC and D&H Cattle will be here for the 36th year and we love the partnership we have with them,” said Cady. “They bring the best stock to any event and there is no finer rodeo out there that offers as much as we do for a small town,” she said, adding that spectators will get the opportunity to view the arena’s new replay screen.

The “Carnage on the Clark Fork” demolition derby has already shown signs of growth. Sixty-five cars have been signed up for months and there is a waiting list, according to Randy Woods, the fair board chairman. There will be five heats and a main event. The derby will begin at 5 p.m. this year.

“There’s No Place Like Fair” is the theme for the 2021 fair, a name submitted by former 4-H members Robyn Holly and Boone Stratford of the South Side Sparks two years ago. With the canceling of the 2020 fair, Cady said they felt this year was perfect for that theme name. Juli Thurston, the Montana State University extension agent, said the 4-H’ers are ready to show their projects with all seven clubs and nearly 80 kids participating this year. The members will be doing their “Fair Readiness Day” barns and grounds cleanup on Saturday, Aug. 28.

Judges are all lined up and 4-H shows start on Thursday with the horse show kicking off at 9 a.m. The 4-H and Future Farmers of America non-animal items judging in the Home Economics Building will be conducted throughout the day. The swine show begins at 9 a.m. Friday, followed by the goat and sheep show at 1 p.m., rabbit show at 2 p.m., cat show at 3 p.m., and the poultry show at 4 p.m. The beef show takes place on Saturday at 10 a.m. The round robin competitions take place Saturday with the small animal at 3 p.m. and the large animal contest an hour later. The 4-H Stock Market Sale is slated for 10 a.m. Sunday.

The 4-H also once again sponsors the dining hall meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner, which is open to the public. Meals range from $5-$10 and proceeds go to the Sanders County 4-H Council, said Thurston.

The Sanders County 4-H Ambassadors this year will host a public dance on Saturday from 8-11 p.m. at the pavilion. The dance is free, but the 4-H will take donations. The 4-H had a dance for members and their families in 2018, but this is the first time the general public is invited in the five years since Thurston took over as extension agent, although she heard they used to have a dance many years ago.

People will start dropping off their open class products on Monday; judging begins on Tuesday. There are 1,600 categories in open class from alfalfa to animals with experienced judges from around the state. Paradise Amusements will be open for carnival rides at 4 p.m. Thursday. The carnival closes at midnight Sunday. The Plains Wrestling Club is sponsoring the parade at downtown Plains again this year. Line up for the parade is 9:30 a.m. with the parade stepping off at 11 a.m.

A free bus shuttle service runs from the Plains Senior Center on Meany Street to the fair entrance Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until the rodeo is over on Friday and Saturday and demolition derby is done on Sunday. The shuttle runs every half hour and donations will be accepted.

The fair was canceled last year due to COVID, but Commissioner Carol Brooker said they don’t have any concerns for this year’s gathering at the fair at this time. Fair board member Kim McMahon wrote a five-page Communicable Disease Plan, which was reviewed by the Sanders County Board of Health and Shawn Sorenson, the county’s sanitarian. McMahon said the document provides a framework for guiding practices on the fairgrounds in an effort to preserve public health. Plexiglas shields were ordered for the food and drink booths, but had not arrived as of last week. Signs will be placed for social distancing and the barns will have one-way traffic. Fair board members will be on site throughout most of the week to help with any potential problems that arise.