Opening day at the Boundary County Fair
August 13, 2013
This year's Family Fun Night Royalty; (l-r) Princess Hailey Chouinard, Queen Brittany Spangler and Princess Coral Tucker.
While the fairgrounds are a bustle of activity today, for most folks, the fun doesn't begin until tomorrow at 9 a.m., when all displays and exhibit areas are opened to the public, vendors are set up and you can get that spicy sausage, cotton candy, elephant ear or other delicacy you've been craving since around this time last year.

Actually, though, things will get started just a bit earlier in the morning.

Food booths will open at 7 a.m. to cater the early risers who will already be working to put the finishing touches on.

From 7 to 11:30 a.m., folks will be entering open class exhibits in the Exhibit Hall, small animals (from mice and gerbils to lizards, hedgehogs and frogs!) in the Wildlife Building and entries in both the "It's Magic" coloring contest and the Little Prince Princess contest at the fair office.

Speaking of small animals, there's a concern that this may be the last year of the exhibit unless more interest is shown; organizers are hoping to be inundated in little critters in the morning s the show can go on!

Hamsters, chinchillas, snakes, tarantulas, skinks, skunks ... well, maybe not stinky skunks ... parakeets, parrots; all are welcome and encouraged! All must be in a fully enclosed cage or enclosure, with water bottles secured to the cage.

Heck, while there might not be a category for them, they might even welcome interesting bugs!

The Memorial Hall will be closed until after opening ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. for judging of 4H projects, and the poultry barn will be closed from 9 to 11 a.m. for 4H and FFA Poultry fitting and showing at 9 a.m. and open class judging in the outdoor arena.

Open class swine and 4H breeding swine judging will take place in the indoor arena from noon to 12:30, open class, 4H and FFA sheep judging will take place there from 1:15 to 3:30 p.m. 4H market goat, quality and pet goat judging takes place from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Those little critters in the wildlife building will be judged at 2:30 p.m., and the building closed until after opening ceremonies.

The official opening ceremonies begin at 6:30 p.m. in the indoor arena, after which all buildings and exhibits will be opened.

There'll be a lot more going on at the fair Thursday through Saturday, but that's for another story tomorrow. If you want a sneak preview, and if you haven't done so already, keep your eyes peeled for a 2013 Boundary County Fair book ... they're available for free at the Extension Office and in many local businesses.

I'm looking forward to visiting with you at the fair!