Opening ceremonies kick off the Boundary County Fair
JENNIFER WRIGHT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 week AGO
BONNERS FERRY — The magic of the 2026 Boundary County Fair officially got underway Tuesday as community members gathered at the fairgrounds for opening ceremonies, marking the beginning of five days of exhibits, entertainment and longstanding fair traditions.
Boundary County Fair Board Vice Chairman Stacie Watts served as master of ceremonies, welcoming those gathered for the opening night celebration.
The ceremony included the introduction of this year's Boundary County Fair royalty. Wyatt Sanders was named King, Wren Tye was named Queen, and Clara Zills was named Princess. Younger royalty included Little Princess Hannah Leach and Little Prince Emmett Solomon.
Asja Miller performed the national anthem as part of the evening's ceremonies.
The fair tradition of grand marshal was revived this year with Cal Russell and Sharon Schnuerle being named the 2026 Boundary County Fair grand marshals.
The ceremony also marked a new chapter at the historic fairgrounds with the dedication of the recently completed Dave Wenk Memorial Pavilion.
With opening ceremonies complete, the fair is now underway under this year's theme, "There's Magic at the Fair." Events continue through Saturday, Aug. 15
Fair Schedule
Thursday, Aug 13
8 a.m., fair office opens; 8:30 a.m., food booths open; 8:30 a.m., 4-H/FFA/open class beef quality judging; 9-11 a.m., free caricature drawings; 9:30, nature art entries; 10 a.m., magic show; 11 a.m., Wild West Fun Park opens; 1 p.m., f-H/FFA sheep fitting and showing; 2-4 p.m., free caricature drawings; 1-4 p.m., youth tractor pulls semifinals; 1 p.m., magic show; 2 p.m., robotics demonstration; 3 p.m. greased pig contest registration; 4:30 p.m., magic show; 4-6 p.m., huckleberry bake-off contest; 6-8 p.m., free caricature drawings; 6:30 p.m., Family Fun Night.
Friday, Aug 14
8 a.m. fair office opens; 8:30 a.m., food booths open; 8:30 a.m., all displays and exhibit areas open; 9:30 a.m.-noon, "monster cookie" entries; 9 a.m., 4-H/FFA/open class dairy cattle judging; 9-11 a.m., free caricature drawing; 10 a.m., robotics demonstration; 10 a.m., magic show; 11 a.m., Wild West Fun Park opens; 11 a.m., 4-H/FFA beef fitting and showing; 12 p.m., robotics demonstration; 1 p.m., magic show; 1 p.m., 4-H horse games; 1:30-5 p.m., "monster cookies" entries displayed; 2-4 p.m., free caricature drawings; 2:30 p.m., seed spitting contest; 3 p.m., 4-H salesmanship contest; 3:30 p.m., robotics demonstration; 4:30 p.m., magic show; 5 p.m., 4-H/FFA buyers social; 6-8 p.m., free caricature drawings; 7 p.m., 4-H/FFA market animal sale; 7 p.m., Bulls & Broncos show.
Saturday, Aug 15
8 a.m., fair office opens; 8:30 a.m., food booths open; 8:30 a.m., all displays and exhibit areas open;9-11 a.m., free caricature drawings; 9 a.m., 4-H/FFA grand champion showman contest; 9:30 a.m., robotics demonstration; 10 a.m., magic show; 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Wild West Fun Park open; 12 p.m., Boundary County Fair parade; 2-4 p.m., free caricature drawings; 2:30 p.m., water balloon contest; 3 p.m., robotics demonstration; 3:30 p.m., watermelon eating contest; 4:30 p.m., magic show; 4:30 p.m., youth tractor pull contest finals; 5 p.m., Bulls & Broncs PDMH series; 7 p.m., free family concert with Jessie Leigh.
ARTICLES BY JENNIFER WRIGHT
Rotary duck race goes swimmingly
Hundreds of rubber ducks took to the Kootenai River Saturday, Aug. 15, as the Bonners Ferry Rotary Club brought back the Great Kootenai River Duck Race, turning months of planning into a successful afternoon of fun and fundraising for the community.
Opening ceremonies kick off the Boundary County Fair
BONNERS FERRY — The magic of the 2026 Boundary County Fair officially got underway Tuesday as community members gathered at the fairgrounds for opening ceremonies, marking the beginning of five days of exhibits, entertainment and longstanding fair traditions.

