There is something magical and special about the Clallam County Fair

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, July 23, 2025

With temperatures warming up and the Independence Day holiday behind us, it’s time to turn the county spotlight in the direction of one of our most historic (and fun!) annual events, namely the Clallam County Fair. The theme this year is “Bee-lieve in the Magic of the Fair” which highlights just how special, and magical, our county fair has always been.

Before moving on to extol all of the other things that make our county fair so awesome – and there are many things that make our county fair awesome – I want to encourage you to consider participating this year by entering something, even if you don’t think you will win.

Do you grow flowers or vegetables? Do you have fruit trees you’ve managed to protect from ravenous deer? Maybe you like to make pie, or jam, or to can fruit for the winter. Perhaps you enjoy arranging flowers, or photography, or quilt-making or painting? If you produce it, you can almost assuredly show it at the Clallam County Fair.

Participation is for everyone. I have a neighbor who moved to the county a few years ago; he loves growing flowers and decided to participate in the fair by entering a few the year after he arrived. I’ll be darned if he didn’t win some ribbons which was not only fun, but truly helped him feel connected with his new community in a unique and meaningful way.

I have a friend who has lived here for many years and already feels connected with the community. He is pretty competitive when it comes to growing veggies but had never really put his prowess to the test. He too came home with a few ribbons, including best storage onion, which is no small feat.

I even have a fellow county commissioner who happens to be an avid gardener and who enters a variety of flowers (and maybe even some orchard fruit) each year; one of these days maybe someone will grow a lily or a dahlia that beats his best. My competitive friend keeps on trying!

There are no barriers to participation. There is a category for just about everything under the sun. Entering something connects you with this entire community in an unexpected and wonderful way, whether you are a new arrival or have lived here your whole life. And wandering around the fair with friends and family, you just might impress them with an unexpected ribbon for your entry. The “Exhibitors Guide” (available online at clallamcountywa.gov) provides detailed instructions, no matter your product.

Participation can take many forms and one of the best strategies is to simply show up hungry! The best part about the food at our county fair is that it is traditional fair “fare” but with a special local twist.

The Clallam County Fair doesn’t just have a scone booth; the Dry Creek Grangers’ scones tend to be the most sought-after food item at the Fair each year. Local institutions like Gordy’s provide annual specials while local service clubs like the Kiwanis and the Lions Club remind us why hand-dipped ice cream bars, and hand-dipped corn dogs, are worth the wait.

The true heart of the fair is captured throughout the many animal barns as 4H students from across the county proudly show and auction their livestock, producing smiles just by sharing their hard work with the rest of us.

This year’s entertainment includes a non-stop variety of local and regional acts performing on two stages. Of course, the carnival beckons the young and the young at heart — especially when the sun goes down and the lights shine brightly. The rodeo is top-notch and the Sunday night demolition derby is legendary.

We look forward to seeing you at the Clallam County Fair, August 14-17 at the Clallam County Fairgrounds in Port Angeles. Please visit clallamcountywa.gov for all of the information and details you’ll need to ensure a great fair is had by all.