The 105th Boundary County Fair, themed “Generations of Champions,” showcased the community’s best and brightest young livestock exhibitors, artists, bakers, engineers, and more, all while bringing friends and families together for a week chock-full of entertainment.

This year, over 140 members of the local FFA and 4-H participated in the livestock shows. 

“The fair is the culmination of many long months of effort for the 4-H and FFA kids that raise livestock,” said Amy Robertson, Boundary County 4-H extension educator. “This includes twice daily feedings, weekly baths and grooming, and many hours spent teaching their animals how to behave for the show ring. Taking on these projects is no small commitment and our youth livestock exhibitors should be commended for their hard work and dedication."

    The auctioneer calls bids at the Market Animal Sale.

Buyers filed into the indoor arena and packed the bleachers Aug. 8 for the Market Animal Sale to place bids at 50-cents-per-pound increments on market broiler, steer, lamb and swine. The Grand Champion market broiler, raised by Cameron Kerttu of 4-H, was purchased by State Farm. The Grand Champion steer, raised by Maggie Cox of 4-H, was purchased by Bennett Brothers. The Reserve Champion steer, raised by Gabriel Warren of FFA, was purchased by Pierce Auto Center. The Grand Champion lamb, raised by Olivia Magee of 4-H, went to Pape Machinery. The Reserve Champion lamb, raised by Tonya Copeland of 4-H, went to Pluid & Sons. The Grand Champion swine, raised by Kelsey Noble of 4-H, went to South Hill Lockers. The Reserve Champion swine, raised by Leila Christensen of 4-H, went to the Bonners Ferry Veterinary Clinic.

    Olivia Magee's Grand Champion lamb sold for $18 per pound at auction.  

  

For the first time, the Bonners Ferry Bulls & Broncs rodeo coincided with the fair, bringing a rowdy crowd of hundreds to the fairgrounds on the evenings of Aug. 8 and 9, to add to the existing activities at the fair, including several food trucks and booths, bounce houses and a foam party for the kids, and a bar for the parents.

“I thought the fair went really well,” said Jaycee Atkins, Boundary County fair manager. "Our crew did a fabulous job. The priority is to benefit the community and spend taxpayer dollars to the best of our ability. I felt like we did that this year with the $40,000 budget. We added new things this year that brought a lot of people in.” 

The bar was one of many new elements added to the fair this year, which Atkins said proved to be highly profitable, creating flexibility in the fair budget to spend on more attractions, like the two-hour musical performance by Aaron Crawford on Saturday night and world champion hacky sack performer Peter Irish.

Additionally, several local businesses and organizations sponsored the fair. The Boundary County Republican Central Committee paid for the mechanical bull.

“We couldn't do a lot of attractions without the sponsorships,” Atkins said. 

A highlight for many was the Family Fun Night on Aug. 7, which included a chicken chase, a gunny sack race, mutton busting, horse riding, the greased pig event, and more.

    Area children compete in the gunny sack race.    Are children participate in the chicken chase during Family Fun Night.

Additionally throughout the week, the Exhibit Hall was full of painting, photos, crafts, produce, baked goods, and more. The outdoor space featured vendors selling food and merchandise. 

Atkins said the fair board has already begun brainstorming for next year’s theme, but in the meantime, the fairgrounds will host several more exciting events through the end of October.