Nelson Garcia had a giant smile on his face when he brought Stella, Gouda and Kitty, three sea lions, out to their pool to practice for their first day of performances Thursday for the North Idaho State Fair’s opening night. 

Garcia and his sea lions’ appearance at the fair this year is his first in almost a decade. He said two things brought him back, the people and the weather. 

“All of this area, they’re really nice,” Garcia said. 

Garcia said his show, the Sea Lion Splash, is informational in nature and teaches people more about the species. According to Garcia, Stella, Gouda and Kitty are rescues from California and Argentina. He also said a huge part of the show is showing people why he loves his animals so much.

“This important thing is also the love and the attention we give the animals,” he said. 

The Sea Lion Splash is just one of the several shows, exhibits and attractions at the fair this year. According to Alexcia Jordan, CEO and general manager of the fairgrounds, this year's theme is “Fun is in the Mix” and is aimed at bringing families together to create some “good ol’fashioned family fun.”

“Whether you are 5 years old or 90 years old, you’re going to find something exciting,” she said.

The Findlay Arena will host a variety of events throughout the Fair, including Motocross on Aug. 21 and 22, the Fury at the Fair Demolition Derby on Aug. 23, concerts featuring Lee Brice and Walker Hayes, and the Gem State Stampede PRCA Rodeo series.

Several arena events are sold out, including the Lee Brice concert, Xtreme Bulls and the Aug. 28 and 29 rodeo performances. 

Among the many food vendors at this year's fair is Philly Express, which is owned and operated locally by Ron Nelson and his daughter, Kayla Nelson. After losing their brick-and-mortar business to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nelsons decided to try their luck at the fair.

“Now, we do seven fairs a year, and this is our No. 1 fair,” Ron said. 

Among their most popular menu items are their garlic cheese bites, which are made with cheese purchased directly from Wisconsin, something Ron says is unique to Philly Express. 

“Nobody has them, you know, they just don’t. They can’t get them,” he said. 

After taking a short hiatus from last year’s fair, Brad’s World Reptiles is making a return this year with a few upgrades. One of which is a brand-new rattlesnake enclosure that sits up off of the ground so people can see the snakes from a special point of view, something that Jerry Miller of Brad's World Reptiles was excited for people to see. 

“Overall, when it’s done, it will be beautiful in here,” Miller said.

Miller also said they will be showcasing a Green Anaconda weighing nearly 100 pounds and measuring 10 feet as well as an alligator, tortoise, cockatoos and more. 

The North Idaho State Fair runs Aug. 21-30 at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds in Coeur d’Alene. Doors open at 3 p.m. on opening night and will close at 10 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, the fair opens at noon and closes at 10 p.m., and weekdays it runs from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

    Kelly McSheehy determines the grade of a jar of honey using a special lamp that highlights defects on Thursday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.
  

    Val McGregor sets up her shop Go Spur 1 that sells cowboy gear at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds on Thursday.
  

    Randy Miller smiles while showing off Maria, a blue and gold Macaw on display at Brad's World Reptiles, on Thursday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.
  

    Matt Greene spreads PDZ in one of the animal enclosures to help keep it clean and safe for the animals and visitors on Thursday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.