County fairs across the state are way more than a place for a carnival to show up once a year.
They are a building block to bridge communities of all ages together to not only develop leadership opportunities but to promote the talents and skills of local residents, especially the youth.
For Idaho's county fairs to be successful it requires community members to come together and participate in everything from 4-H livestock competitions to vendor booths and food trucks to entertainment.
Getting youth involved and excited to participate is becoming more and more imperative to keep the spirit of Idaho's county fairs alive.
Fair board members are all volunteers and tirelessly give of their time to make county fairs happen year after year.
Some of the best county fairs in the state are found in the little corner of Southeast Idaho with the Caribou County Fair in Grace running from Aug. 5 through Aug. 10 and the Bear Lake County Fair in Montpelier the following week of Aug. 14 through Aug. 17.
Both fairs offer unique fun and entertainment for all ages. There are many ways to get involved as well as simply coming out to attend the fairs, check out the entertainment and eat the delicious fair food.
The art exhibits at the fairs are still looking for contestants, which is another way to participate.
Caribou County Fair Board President Cody Thompson said they're focused on bringing quality vendors and entertainment to the fair. Many recent Caribou fair upgrades have been made possible with the help of many great sponsors.
Thompson said, “Sponsorship and the community support are what guarantee the success of the fair. Many businesses have really stepped up and made the fair better.”
The Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association Rodeo is returning to the Caribou County Fair this year. Thompson shares how this rodeo had been part of the fair for 50 years and everyone's excited to bring them back.
“We hope to see the success of the rodeo back again and bring lots of good cowboys to town to help the local economy,” he said.
The rodeo will be held Aug. 6 to Aug. 8 at the Caribou County Fair. Other fair highlights include the pet and talent shows on Aug. 7, a family fair dance on Aug. 9, and the crowd favorite Mini Monster Truck Show on Aug. 10.
The Bear Lake County Fair will feature GS Show’s Carnival running Aug. 14 to Aug. 17 during the afternoon through late evening each day. The fair will also feature a rodeo, hypnotist, concerts, demolition derby, parade, exhibits, horse pulls and more.
Bear Lake County Fair organizers encourage people to buy their fair tickets early to save money.
Remember, the survival of small town county fairs depends on participation and the community coming together. Doing your part ensures your local fair will live on year after year.
Whether your thrill for fun is getting hypnotized or watching rodeo events or eating fair food, there is more than enough options for everyone and guaranteed great memories to be made.
For more information on the Caribou County Fair, visit www.cariboucountyfair.com.
The official website for the Bear Lake County Fair is www.bearlake.org/event/bear-lake-county-fair/.
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