Here Comes the Ravalli County Fair!
Marking the end of summer is the annual Ravalli County Fair, which is next week with the general opening Wednesday morning, August 28, and continuing through Saturday, August 31. But much is happening before those dates.
Saturday, August 24, the 4H/FFA horse show judging will be in the main arena at the fairgrounds in Hamilton, starting at 9 a.m. Open Class Exhibitors bring in their entries Sunday starting at 12 noon and continuing until 7 p.m. at the First Interstate Event Center Also that day, Girl Scout exhibits are due in the youth exhibit building between 12 noon and 5 p.m., with judging beginning at 6 p.m. Open Class Floral entries are not due until Monday, August 26, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Livestock must be in the barns by 8 p.m. Tuesday. More information is at the Ravalli County Fair website. Then, there's Wednesday (see photo below).
At 10 a.m. the Ravalli County Fair Parade takes over downtown Hamilton. The parade is organized by the Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class and entries gather on North 7th and 8th Streets, where judging takes place before the 10 a.m. start. Everything from floats, horses, classic vehicles and more are in the parade. The main announcing booth is in front of Bitterroot Drug and Steve Fullerton of KLYQ will again introduce the participants as they pass by. Meanwhile, at the fairgrounds, the barns and exhibits open at 10 a.m. and the Carnival rides open at 2 p.m. Wednesday. The rides open at 1 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. By the way, if you want to be in the parade, check with the Chamber of Commerce this week at 363-2400. Drop by their office at US 93 and Main in Hamilton, by the Safeway parking lot.