Tooele County Fair brings back old favorites, adds new attractions

The Tooele County Fair has become a staple event for many residents over the years. Every late June/early August, hundreds of people flock to the fair held at the Deseret Peak Complex for a week-long celebration with stock shows, games, rides, food and entertainment for those of all ages. Events were held last Friday with the opening ceremonies and the official kickoff is coming up on Thursday with the fair’s theme “Celebrate 2008.”

The Tooele County Parks and Recreation Department is now in charge of the festivities after former fair director, Francine Dea, was released from her position last September. The department has made a few changes; the biggest being the elimination of a major headline musical act on Friday night.

“We will have constant entertainment on the main stage,” said Misti Williams, assistant director for parks and recreation.

Some of those acts include the local band Kodi and the Chillbodi’s, who will perform Thursday at 3:30 p.m., the Beatles tribute band Imagine, who will perform Thursday from 7-9 p.m., and country singer J. Marc Bailey who is set to perform Friday at 10 p.m. All will be on the outdoor stage.

Events for the fair began last Friday with a truck pull and continued Saturday with an arena cross race at the motocross track, 4-H horse show and the Miss Tooele County Pageant. Registration for the home arts and 4-H show took place yesterday with judging today.

Sports night is also going on today with three-on-three basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, co-ed softball, waterpolo and pitch and putt golf tournament, which will last until 9 p.m. There is also the strongman/woman competition — similar to the farm tough competition — and team doctoring in the outdoor arena at 6 p.m.

The fair officially kicks off on Thursday with opening ceremonies featuring a hometown heroes parade and color guard at 5 p.m. Following will be the firemen’s muster at 6:30 p.m. on the soccer fields. There is no cost to attend this event except for a non-perishable food item.

“For the firemen’s muster, different fire departments will have a competition of things they do in their training,” Williams said. “All the food will be a donation to the Tooele County food bank.”

Because there is no big-name concert, only a handful of events will charge attendees. The teen dance and pool party for ages 12 to 18, will be held Thursday from 8-11 p.m. Admission is $4.

The PCR bull riding/ranch rodeo on Friday at 8 p.m. will cost $10 for adults and $5 for kids. That same price applies to the demolition derby Saturday at 6 p.m. A family pass can also be purchased for $30 and includes two adult and four kids tickets.

“We’ve pretty much always been a free fair with ticketed events,” Williams said. “We want people to know it’s free so they can enjoy themselves.”

The only other charge will come from those participating in the carnival rides and games. In previous years, the fair has had an eclectic arrangement of rides. However, in 2007, kids were left without them. Williams said the fair committee hired a new company owned by Dave Gordon that specializes in carnival rides.

“We had him during the Deseret Peak Days last month,” Williams said. “We had already signed him for the fair.”

Some of the rides that will be available are: scrambler, zipper, bungee trampoline, bumper boats, inflatable rides and ultimate tag arena (for paintball). In addition, there will be traditional carnival games such as darts and the milk bottle toss. The rides will be open starting Thursday from noon to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Another addition to the fair this year is the number of fireworks displays. In the past, fireworks were only set off after the demolition derby. This year, there will be fireworks on Thursday and Friday at 10 p.m.

“We’re trying to do something new,” Williams said. “Maybe it will get more people and the community involved a little more.”

There will be just as much fun inside as there is outside, with exhibits and booths that will be set up and ready on Thursday beginning at noon.

“They have different demonstrations and two juggling acts and the children’s art yard,” Williams said. “We’ll have Dora the Explorer walking around during different times and other characters.”

The inside stage will feature local dance troops, singers and performances.

“We haven’t changed a whole lot, just added a couple of things,” she said. “We’ll always have the music and dance groups.”

The stock show is another highlight of the fair. The weigh-in began this morning with the stock fitting and showmanship from 2-5 p.m. today. The judging will take place Friday at 8:30 a.m. with the sale on Saturday at 10 a.m.

All of the exhibits, booths, games, free entertainment, petting zoo, fun zone and carnival will be open Thursday through Saturday. On Friday there will also be a softball tournament and youth rodeo events. Before Saturday’s main attraction of the demolition derby, there will be a car show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and two sections of the junior master gardener youth activity. The first will begin at 1 p.m. and the second will start at 3 p.m. Also, at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, there will be a 4-H fashion show on the indoor stage.

With all the activities and events going on, Williams said she doesn’t think anyone will get bored.

“There’s generally quite a few people around during the day,” Williams said. “After the stock show, those families are here the entire time. The lights, the sounds — there are things that attract them.”

Missy Thompson: missy@tooeletranscript.com