ENTERTAINMENT

Blaine County Fair promises expanded events

Briana Wipf
bwipf@greatfallstribune.com

If you haven’t been to the Blaine County Fair in Chinook, this year may be just the year to start.

This year’s fair kicks off Thursday, July 9, and runs through Sunday, July 12, at the fairgrounds located at 300 Cleveland Road West in Chinook.

On Thursday, 4-H activities get underway in the afternoon. The carnival, run by Paradise Amusements, opens at 5 p.m., and the kids’ rodeo, which is open to kids up to age 18, begins at 5 p.m. as well. Entry forms for the kids’ rodeo is available online at www.blainecountyfair.net.

On Friday, 4-H activities and the carnival continue. Walking acts and free stage entertainers, including Pippi the Clown and John Dunnigan, will keep the fair interesting, too, said Wendy Warburton, fair manager.

“We have a Bingo tent this year, and the petting zoo and pony rides are back,” Warburton added.

At 7 p.m. Friday, the Bad Larrys of Bigfork open for Two Way Crossing, a rising country band.

“We’re sticking with the formula we had last year with an opening Montana band and headlining national band,” Warburton said.

Two Way Crossing is a husband-wife duo backed up by a full country band.

On Saturday, belt yourself in for the Blaine County Showdown, the popular demolition derby, at 5 p.m.

Sunday’s events have expanded over the past few years, making the traditionally quiet day a big blowout. The 4-H and FFA livestock sale takes place at 1 p.m., and pig wrestling, which has grown very popular, is at 4 p.m.

Finally, the Milk River Challenge Open Rodeo is a new event this year that calls for contestants of all skill levels. Contested events include saddle bronc, ranch bronc, bull riding, team roping and barrel racing.

“We’re really excited to bring rodeo back to the fair. Our fair is all about rodeo, it opens and closes with rodeo. We love that,” Warburton said.

Also new this year is the presence of the Fort Belknap tribal community. A tepee raising takes place at noon Friday, traditional dancing Friday and Saturday at 4 p.m. and storytelling at 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Pet and doll parades occur each day at 11 a.m. Kids can participate as many time as they wish and registration is not required.

4-H activities punctuate the fair, with many students from across the county participating. The 4-H’ers are in charge of a chuckwagon food vendor and have been working to improve the fairgrounds, said Warburton.

“The fair is really about the 4-H kids,” she said. “We absolutely encourage everyone to attend and support the 4-H kids.”

“We’ve done a lot of work and improvements to the fairgrounds and rodeo arena,” Warburton said. “It’s just looking beautiful.”

Registration for the open rodeo, kids’ rodeo, demolition derby and pig wrestling and a full schedule is available at www.blainecountyfair.net, and updates are posted regularly on the fair’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/blainecountyfair.

The essentials

What: Blaine County Fair

When: Thursday, July 9, through Sunday, July 12

Where: 300 Cleveland Road West, Chinook