Finishing touches being made for 145th-annual King County Fair, July 18-22

The King County Fair, the oldest fair west of the Mississippi, kicks off tomorrow at high noon in Enumclaw with the annual Critter Crowning Contest, and the family fun doesn’t stop until the conclusion of the demolition derby and car rollover contest on Sunday, July 22.

In between those two events is everything anybody could possibly want in a county fair:

• Nonstop entertainment, including great live music, such as Country star Jonathan Harris, the Dusty 45s and the Illusion of Johnny Cash, plus magicians and balloon artists;
• Blue-ribbon competitions, displays and 4-H animals;
• An all-new Midway carnival ride area, kiddie rides and the famous racing pigs; and
• Great fair food, including onion burgers, curly fries, scones and a new Southern food menu.

It’s all happening at the Enumclaw Expo Center, formerly the King County Fairgrounds. Fair hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Admission to the fair is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors 62 and older and for children ages 6 to 12. Kids under the age of 6 are free when accompanied by an adult. All entertainment is included in the price of admission, except for the demolition derby and rollover competition, which costs $15 for adults and $10 for children and seniors and includes admission to the fair on Sunday. Parking is $5.