Western Idaho Fair: Food, fun and thrills for all

IDAHO, USA — The Western Idaho Fair draws Idahoans from across the state for rides, classic fair foods, and local ranchers and farmers showing off their prized animals and produce.

Whether the fair is an annual summer tradition or this is the first time you can go, here’s a handful of events you can look forward to this year.

Aug. 21 – Furry friends and fun-filled entertainment

What to do: Kick off the start to the fair by seeing some of the Treasure Valley’s prized pups at the 4H/FFA Dog Show. The event is hosted at the Dairy Ring on the fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The afternoon is filled with event options, from kids’ tractor pulling at 1:30 p.m. on the Rose Garden Grass to a magic show by Adam the Great starting at 2 p.m.

Additional ideas for afternoon activities:

2 p.m. -- Alpaca 101

2:30 p.m. -- Violin on Fire

3 p.m. -- Aces Flying Pig Races

3 p.m. -- Big Sky Drive

3 p.m. -- Lead a Llama/Alpaca

3 p.m. -- Culinary 101 Class – Granola Seed Bar

When the sun goes down, the carnival lights turn on, and the fair becomes more magical than ever. Enjoy some entertainment with musical duo Big Sky Drive, Matt Baker’s variety act, and Violin on Fire – all performing at 9 p.m.

Aug. 22 – Dress-up, dinos and daredevils

What to do: Day two's festivities start bright and early at 8 a.m. with multiple agricultural exhibits featuring dairy goats, swine, and a mule and donkey show.

While the morning features typical livestock, the afternoon brings a more unique creature with the Dinos & Dragons event.

The event starts at 1:30 p.m. at the Carnival Gate and is described as bringing "life-like animatronic creatures to the fairgrounds for an unforgettable, family-friendly spectacle where dinosaurs and dragons roam side by side."

A Southern District Fashion Revue hosted through 4-H will take the Western Town Stage at 4 p.m.

If the fast-paced rides are not enough adrenaline, watch the Off Axis Stunt Show from 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Carnival Gate. Described as a Las Vegas-style stunt show, the event "features a blend of extreme sports and acrobatics, including trampoline walls, BMX, and teeterboard performances."

4:30 p.m. -- Chris Mabrey at Commercial Tire Stage

4:30 p.m. -- Off Axis Stunt Show Carnival Gate

4:30 p.m. -- Violin on Fire Strolling

4:30 p.m. -- Kids Market Rose Garden Grass

5 p.m. -- Gotcha Covered

Aug. 23

Sunday at the fair is Armed Forces Day, meaning all active-duty service members and veterans get free entry.

Click here for more information on what to expect at the Western Idaho Fair on Sunday, Aug. 23.

Aug. 24 – Concerts kick off

Grandstand: Country, rock artist Brantley Gilbert -- 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

What to do: Blend comedy with hypnosis with Chris Mabrey from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. on the Commercial Tire Stage.

5:30 p.m. -- Off Axis Stunt Show -- Carnival Gate

6:00 p.m. -- Big Sky Drive -- Commercial Tire Stage

6:30 p.m. -- Aces Flying Pig Races -- Rose Garden Grass

6:30 p.m. -- Gotcha Covered – Cover Band --Garden Stage

6:30 p.m. -- Off Axis High Dive -- Western Tower parking lot

Aug. 25

Grandstand: Skillet, multi-platform rock band -- 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

What to do: Gotcha Covered pop cover band takes the Garden Stage with fast-paced rock and nostalgic throwbacks from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the Garden Stage.

Find a full list of the day's events here.

Aug. 26

Grandstand: Third Eye Blind, alt-rock -- 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

What to do: Experience a classic carnival staple with clowns Bubbie, Cheddee, and Dottie, who will be strolling through the fairgrounds from noon to 7 p.m.

Aug. 27

Grandstand: The Art of Rap featuring Ice-T with DJ Evil E, Sir Mix-A-Lot, DJ Kevie Kev Rockwell, hosted by Mick Benzo -- 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

PRO TIP: It's KTVB's BOGO Thursday. From noon to 4 p.m., get two-for-one admission. This discount is only available at the gate before 4 p.m.

What to do: Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the fair by unwinding with a painting class and a refreshing drink at the Paint & Sip event from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Entry is $50 and includes:

Fair admission

Guided painting experience with step-by-step instruction

All supplies and materials

Your finished artwork to take home

2 complimentary drinks, served by Expo Idaho

Aug. 28

Grandstand: Lee Brice, country-pop artist -- 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

What to do: Get your cowboy boots warmed up for the evening's concert with the Lee Brice Pre-Party where you'll "learn a few steps, warm up the dance floor, and get in the country mood," at the Commercial Tire Stage from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 29

What to do: Witness Rebecca ‘Fireplug’, a props and stilts artist, as she towers above fair-goers and creates unforgettable photo-ops from 9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Aug. 30

What to do: As the fair winds down, enjoy some country music with Lynsey & Prime, performing country hits from the '80s, '90s, and 2000s on the Garden Stage from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Find a full list of the day's events here.

GOOD EATS

Foodies will flock to the Western Idaho Fair to experience plenty of unique plates.

Find a full list of good eats coming Aug. 21-30 below:

Bacon Bacon Bacon

Bacon-wrapped chicken tenders, bacon sliders, cheesy bacon fries, mac & cheese bowls, and classic fries.

Buffalo Grill

Smoked prime rib sandwich, buffalo burger, burgers, chorizo, and fries.

Hot to Tot

Loaded tater tots with bacon, BBQ pork, nacho toppings, chili cheese, or buffalo chicken, plus classic seasoned tots.

Jones' Burger

Burgers, hot dogs, fries, and chicken/ham/roast beef dinners.

NAACP

Pulled pork, ribs, BBQ brisket, and BBQ chicken.

NY Italian Sausage

Sausages on French rolls with grilled peppers, tomatoes & onions, including Italian, Polish, Louisiana hots, bratwurst, kielbasa; pastrami sandwiches, fries, drinks.

R&R BBQ

Pulled pork, brisket, and BBQ nachos.

Roy's Milkshakes

Milkshakes, burgers, fries, chicken sandwiches, onion rings, and fish & chips.

Smokehouse Grill

Turkey legs, cheeseburgers, corn dogs, bratwurst, nachos, and chili.

Wilder Concessions

Burgers, hot dogs, fries, and chicken sandwiches.

Invader

As The Invader begins to rise, the seats start spinning at an intense 24 RPM, creating powerful centrifugal forces that will leave you clinging to your seat. You'll soar up, down, and all around as you're lifted off the ground, taking you on a whirlwind ride like no other.

The King XXL

The King XXL towers over almost every other carnival ride on the midway and holds up to 20 passengers in 4 gondolas. Riders swing on a claw pendulum back and forth until they reach the pinnacle of the ride at a 90-degree angle.

X-Scream Machine

A ride for teens and adults, the X-Scream Machine sends riders on a thrilling trip over the tracks, curving, rising, and descending, a journey for the bravest.

Century Wheel

The majestic Century Wheel dominates the Midway day and night, offering patrons sweeping views. Passengers are seated and then whisked smoothly over the top and down again.

Orbiter

The Orbiter is an exciting teen ride which features 4 twirling arms holding three spinning seats each. This Italian-made ride twirls riders around until their seats are perpendicular to the ground below, quite the sight day and night.