Kitsap Fair and Stampede kicks off: What to see, eat and more at the fairgrounds this week

One of Kitsap's longtime summer traditions, the Fair and Stampede , returns this August to welcome fans from around the region and musicians and competitors from near and far. Here's a look at what you need to know before you head to the Kitsap County Fairgrounds, located at Fairgrounds Road and Stampede Boulevard just off Highway 303, between Bremerton and Silverdale.

When does the Fair and Stampede start?

Events open on Wednesday at 10 a.m., and gates open at that time each day through Sunday. On Wednesday through Saturday the Pavilion and exhibition halls close at 9 p.m. and the carnival remains open until 11 p.m. On Sunday, the event's closing day, exhibits end at 6 and the carnival wraps up at 7 p.m.

The nightly rodeos happen Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, each evening starting at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday the Xtreme Bulls begin at 11 a.m. in Thunderbird Stadium. In addition, the rodeo slack, or competitions among riders who didn't fit into the evening show, goes off at 9 a.m. on Thursday (barrel racing and roping) and Friday (timed events). The rodeo slack is a free event with your fair entry (more info on prices below).

How much do tickets cost?

Entry to the fairgrounds is $12 for general admission, $5 for seniors and kids ages 5-12, and free for the little ones. Carnival rides and games aren't included in that, though there is a Sunday special for those who love rides: all you can handle, all day, for $55.

There are special deals, too: Thursday is military day, when active duty and retirees are free until 3 p.m., Saturday is kids days with free entry for everyone 12 and under all day, and seniors are free all day on Sunday.

Tickets to the big events, including rodeo, Xtreme Bulls and the two main stage acts in Thunderbird Stadium, on Saturday and Sunday nights, are additional. The nightly rodeo gate admission is $25 general admission and $20 for kids/seniors/military, and the Xtreme Bulls tickets are $30 ($25 for seniors/kids/military).

If you purchase rodeo tickets in advance at www.kitsapfair.org/rodeo , your entry to the fair is included.

Tickets for the two main musical acts -- '80s rockers Warrant with Heart by Heart on Saturday, and Grammy nominated country band Midland, along with Drake Milligan on Sunday -- are also available online . Saturday's show ranges from $25 general admission to $75 for the Stampede Club, and Sunday's headliners start at $35 and go as high as $225 for the best in the stadium.

Also, parking at the fairgrounds is $10, and only cash is accepted.

What are the other highlights?

For those not looking for ticketed events, there are music acts all day long on the main stage, including local names like Afton Prater, playing Wednesday, and Megan and Heidi, playing multiple sets on Thursday. Others include The Tonze, Six Gun Rebels and J.J. Luck's Band.

There's also daily comedy sets on the main stage, hosted by Cris Larsen, magic shows, K-9 demonstrations by the Washington State Patrol, Washington Dancing Horses, and a circus, performing all day near the Van Zee Building. Another annually fun part of the fair, the kids' livestock auction, is at 2 p.m. on Saturday. And of course, the exhibition halls will be full of contests for local participants, and animals for families to visit up close in the barns.

See an entire schedule with specific times on the Fair's website here.

More: New blues festival coming to the Kitsap Fairgrounds over Labor Day Weekend

What if I get hungry?

Oh, you're well taken care of, as fairgoers all know. There's a category of "fair food" for a reason.

Start with burgers and fries from local favorite Crazy Eric's, always with a presence on the fairgrounds, and make your way through barbeque, Thai food, Hawaiian shaved ice, lumpia, ice cream, lemonade and plenty more that's deep fried. There's Fishers Fair Scones, the same as served at the Puyallup State Fair, and a beer garden by Poulsbo's own Western Red Brewing.

Find that list of food vendors, and all kinds of other information about this week's events that this story may not have answered, at www.kitsapfair.org.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Kitsap Fair and Stampede kicks off: What to see, eat and more at the fairgrounds this week