Sure, it’s August, hot and sunny, but for Alexcia Jordan, this time of year brings a winter holiday to mind.

“This is my Christmas,” said Alexcia Jordan, fair manager. “Christmas Eve is coming.” 

For Jordan, that means young and old will turn to the Kootenai County Fairgrounds for the 10-day run of the North Idaho State Fair that begins Friday. 

It’s the annual summer feast of food, drink, music, ride, games, rodeos and so much more, including the famous Budweiser Clydesdales. Pulling it together is as difficult as it sounds, with hopes for a record-breaking crowd of more than 170,000 that filed through the gates last year.

This year’s theme is “Keeping Tradition Alive,” and that’s what Jordan and team aim to do. 

“It's exciting, it’s fun,” Jordan said Monday as she walked the fairgrounds. “But never without a little bit of stress.” 

The internationally recognized, award-winning North Idaho State Fair has showcased the talents, grit and hospitality of Coeur d’Alene and the greater Kootenai County community for more than a century. From its earliest days, the fair has kept agricultural education, youth programs, and North Idaho’s unmistakable rural charm at the heart of everything it does — inviting families to make new memories, cheer on local exhibitors and celebrate the traditions that make this region special, a press release said. 

“Every year, we work to bring fresh entertainment while staying rooted in what our community loves most,” Jordan said. “Whether it’s the roar of the rodeo, the energy of a live concert or a stroll through Farm Park, there’s something magical about fair traditions — and this year is no exception.” 

Entertainment will feature Paul Bunyan Lumberjacks, the Great American Speedway Crazy Animal Races and Petting Zoo, illusions from Magician Louie Foxx, gravity-defying tricks with The Throw Zone with Jeremiah Johnston and the heritage storytelling and music of Legend of the Pioneers.  

Jordan said the fair has more than 1,000 entries in traditional favorites, including quilts, photographs, canning and general crafts. 

She attributes that in part to loyal fair followers and a renewed effort to get before civic groups and others and talk about everything fair. 

She said nationwide, fair exhibit programs are dwindling. She said that might be because hobbies aren’t being passed down through generations, but such is not the case at the North Idaho State Fair. 

“I’d really like to see it stay alive,” Jordan said. 

Ken and Elaine Cook are once again superintendents of the photography exhibits, and were trying to find space to display nearly 1,000 pictures. 

“I’ll have to figure out something to do,” Ken Cook said. 

It takes weeks, even with help from the family, but he doesn’t mind. 

“I love it,” Cook said. "It’s just a lot of fun.” 

The opening ceremony for the fair is at 4 p.m. Friday. Bill and Bobbi Brooks are the fair’s 2025 Persons of the Year. 

“Their longtime dedication, support and involvement have made a lasting impact on the fairgrounds and the community we serve,” a fair brochure said. 

For the most part, the weather looks promising during the fair. The forecast is calling for clouds and cooler temperatures through the weekend, and then sunny, clear skies with temperatures in the 80s next week. 

Jordan and her team of 14 full-time employees are joined by hundreds of volunteers and seasonal help during the fair. Even then, Jordan rarely goes home. 

“We practically live here,” she said. “We will move in, actually, in the next couple of days.” 

Jordan believes they can top last year’s record attendance of just over 170,000.  

“I sure would like to. If the weather stays in our favor, I think we could do that,” she  said 

Tickets: www.NISFair.Fun

  

    North Idaho State Fair Manager Alexcia Jordan joins Gary Fessler in the Knights of Columbus booth in the Food Court on Monday.