SANDPOINT — America’s most triumphant birthday is still being celebrated throughout the country, and the Bonner County Fair is continuing that honor at its 2026 fair.  

The celebration commences today, Aug. 18, and runs through Saturday, Aug. 22, for five days of “Independence and Farmers’ Descendants,” the theme for this year’s fair. 

The fairgrounds will be open daily, each day bringing new activities and events to the public. Fair admission is free, and parking is $7 for a weeklong pass.  

Attendees will get to choose from a variety of events to support throughout the week, from a stock dog fun day show, barrel racing, ranch sorting, bronc riding, demolition derby and more. Contests will be sprinkled across the week for the whole family, including the World’s Smallest Rodeo; a beard, mustache and mullet competition; and an ice cream eating contest, among others.  

Displays of local artwork will span throughout the fairgrounds, from photography, quilts, fishing and outdoors, and everything in between.  

Selected as Bonner County Fair grand marshals are Sandpoint locals Steve and Louise Wood. A staple family to the Sandpoint area, both were active members of the 4-H Club and took after both their parents in raising cattle. Now, the couple, along with the help of their family, continues to raise Black Angus cattle on their ranch north of Sandpoint. Longtime supporters of the fair, the Woods continue to host carcass shows after the Bonner County Fair to help educate and support youth interested in the meat industry. 

Levi Irish, president of the rodeo committee, was selected as the fair’s 2026 Volunteer of the Year for his leadership with the rodeo and many of the other events held at the fairgrounds. Fair officials said his commitment to the community and fair is unmatched, making him an easy candidate for the honor.  

Melodie Gunn was selected as the 2026 vegetables and herbs superintendent of the year. A master gardener with a 5,000-square-foot garden, Gunn fell in love with homegrown produce at 15. She finds joy in being able to grow her own food and first started as a superintendent three years ago, when asked to fill in. She said she has enjoyed the role ever since.  

Selected as the 2026 Sandpoint Rodeo Queen is CayliJo Giard, an incoming freshman at the University of Idaho. She plans to obtain her bachelor's degree in animal science with aspirations to become a large animal veterinarian.

Among the highlights are:

Tuesday, Aug. 18: 8 a.m., rabbit quality contest; 9 a.m., animal barns open; 9 a.m., market sheep quality contest; 9 a.m., swine quality contest; 10 a.m., food court opens; 10 a.m., static and 4-H exhibits open; 11 a.m., market quality goat contest; 2 p.m., 4-H fair royalty crowning ceremony; 6 p.m. stock dog fun day. 

Wednesday, Aug. 19: 8 a.m., rabbit showmanship contest; 9 a.m., animal barns open; 9 a.m., beef quality contest; 9 a.m., swine showmanship contest; 10 a.m., food court opens; 10 a.m., tractor display opens; 10 a.m., wildlife building opens; 10 a.m., static and 4-H exhibits open; 11 a.m., poultry quality contest; noon., market goat showmanship contest; 2 p.m., market sheep showmanship contest; 2 p.m. swine costume contest; 2:30 p.m., sheep costume contest; 7 p.m., NWBH barrel racing, outdoor arena, free to watch.

Thursday, Aug. 20: 8 a.m., poultry showmanship contest; 9 a.m., animal barns open; 9 a.m., dairy, goat showmanship and quality contests; 9 a.m., swine showmanship contest; 10 a.m., beef showmanship contest; 11 a.m., goat costume contest; 10 a.m., food court opens; 10 a.m., tractor display opens; 10 a.m., wildlife building opens; 10 a.m., static and 4-H exhibits open; 2 p.m., beef costume contest; 5:30 p.m., ranch sorting demonstration, outdoor arena, free to watch.

Friday, Aug. 21: 9 a.m., all animal barns open; 9 a.m., 4-H livestock judging; 10 a.m., fair office opens; 10 a.m., food court opens; 10 a.m., "lads, ladies and leadline" contest; 10 a.m., antique tractor display opens; 10 a.m., static and 4-H exhibits open; 10 a.m., "World's Smallest Rodeo;" 10:30 a.m., Little Folks Horse Show; 1 p.m., 4-H round robin large animal; 2 p.m., 4-H round robin small animal; 3 p.m. tractor driving contest; 3:30 p.m., 4-H fashion revue; 5 p.m., photography demonstration; 7 p.m. ranch bronc riding, outdoor area (includes junior bull riding and mutton busting). 

Saturday, Aug. 22: 9 a.m., 4-H Market Animal Sale; 10 a.m., fair office opens; 10 a.m., food court opens; 10 a.m., antique tractor display opens; 10 a.m., static and 4-H exhibits open; 1 p.m., ice cream eating contest; 3 p.m., mullet, mustache and beard contest; 3:30 p.m., Parade of Champions; 4 p.m., 4-H awards ceremony. 7 p.m., Bonner County Brawl demolition derby, outdoor arena.

For a full schedule of events, visit bonnercountyfair.com, click on the "Fair Book" link, and follow Bonner County Fairgrounds on social media. 

    A participant in the World's Smallest Rodeo talks to Bonner County Fair royalty during a past fair.
  

    2026 Bonner County Fair poster