Palouse Empire Fair starts today

The Palouse Empire Fair begins its run today.

This is a traditional event for the county. It is one of the few events that encompasses the entire county, and it has for decades. From all points of the county, youth bring their animals for judging and sale, crafters display their best work, bakers and canners vie for blue ribbons and all sorts of art and photography is hung for inspection and judging.

The variety at the fair is wide and interesting. Also, booths are set up for politicians, political issues and commercial enterprises.

And, there is food of all types, offered by professional vendors and local nonprofit groups.

For history buffs, points of interest range from the Jones Schoolhouse to the blacksmith shop.

Faster paced is the Rodeo and the numerous thrill rides at the carnival. At the Gazebo, entertainment ranges from musical groups to a hypnotist.

The Palouse Empire Fair has most of what bigger fairs might offer and much of what they don’t. It is big enough to attract and involve nearly everyone, but small enough to enjoy and get around.

One of the best draws of the fair is the friendliness. Old friends reconnect. New friends are made.

In an unusual start, volunteers on horseback will help you park. Then, you’ll be welcomed at the main entrance by members of the Colfax Rotary Club.

Once inside, the choice is yours.

The fair runs until Sunday. A complete schedule is available in last week’s Gazette in a special pull-out section of the Fair Edition. There is something special every day, from a free breakfast for seniors on Thursday, the winner of the kiss the pig contest on Friday, the three days of rodeo, a full carnival of rides and games, entertainment, food galore, anxious kids showing their animal projects, the junior stock show sale and lots of people having fun.

There are few better ways of celebrating harvest and the coming of fall.