Normally we really just stick to Everett stories but since there are so many changes this year and so many from Everett, Washington enjoy the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe I wanted to pass along this update from Snohomish County on things you should know. Leland Dart, Publisher.
Click to visit the Evergreen State Fair website.
Everything You Need to Know
MONROE, Wash., August 19, 2021 – We are excited to be getting “back in the saddle” and having a 2021 Evergreen State Fair! After thoughtful consideration and guidance from state and local health officials, we have determined that a fair can take place this year with a few adjustments for the communities’ health and safety. The Evergreen State Fair will look a bit different this year with fewer vendors and limited daily capacity. While most of the Fair offerings take place outdoors, these proactive changes were made to allow more space around the fair park for fairgoers to enjoy the event.
This year’s theme: “Back in the Saddle Again – Open for Fun in 2021” is all about dusting oneself off after the challenging ride that was the last year and a half, and the anticipation of safely reuniting members of the community and fans of the Fair after making it through 2020 together. With increased sanitation, limited capacity, and adherence to health guidelines like the mask directive for public indoor spaces, the Fair staff has plans in place to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible while at the Fair Park. Snohomish County officials hope that the 2021 Fair will bring joy and tradition back to your family’s summer festivities. Enjoy the wonder of experiencing something new, the sweet nostalgia of revisiting old favorites, and the beauty of sharing all of this in community.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Fair Dates:
August 26-31 and September 2-6, 2021 (closed on Wed. September 1)
Fair Hours:
Ticket booth opens 10:00 am daily
Gate open: 10:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. August 26-31 and September 2-5
10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. September 6
Carnival Hours:
11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. August 26-31 and September 2-5
11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. September 6
Cost:
Regular (13-61 yrs): $14 Weekday/$16 Weekend/$12 Labor Day
Senior (62-89 yrs); Military w/ID; Youth (6-12 yrs): $11 Weekday/$14 Weekend/$9 Labor Day
5 yrs and under: Free
Parking: FREE (Due to staffing shortages and a lowered capacity)
Purchase advance discount admission, group, carnival passes by August 25 and save!
*New Weekday Round-up Package (4 admission): $32
No Gate Admission Specials (weekday) – this will disperse guests on weekdays throughout the fair. The July 10 Drive-Thru Food Drive replaced the Opening Day Food Drive. 13,655 lbs. of food were donated and donors received a ticket to the fair. These donations benefited Snohomish County Food Bank Coalition & VOAWW.
HAVING A SAFE FAIR – COVID-19 INFORMATION
After thoughtful consideration and guidance from state and local health officials, we have determined that our event can safely take place this year for those who choose to attend. We encourage all fairgoers to first evaluate their own potential risk of exposure to COVID-19 before visiting, knowing that vaccines remain the best protection from COVID-19. In addition, we encourage fairgoers to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 when attending the Evergreen State Fair by wearing masks indoors, practicing social distancing, and washing hands regularly.
WHAT WE ARE DOING TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY SAFE
The health and safety of our guests, participants, employees and community is our highest priority. Look for these proactive changes that have been implemented to protect public health throughout the fair park:
· Robust Health & Safety Plan
· 300 hand sanitizer stations around the fair park
· Increased cleaning/sanitizing procedures
· Lower daily capacity
· Limited indoor exhibits/vendors with more spacing between vendors for social distancing
· Gary Weikel exhibit/vendor building will have increased ventilation with roll doors opened
· Most vendors/events/entertainment are outdoors
· No gate specials in order disperse attendance throughout the 11 days
· Following the state of Washington Mask Mandate for public indoor spaces
· Free N95 masks available for all guests upon request
· We encourage cashless/contactless transactions
· Safety signage is posted around the fair park
We will continue to work with local, state and national public health agencies, monitoring any new developments and making modifications accordingly. The Evergreen State Fair exists to strengthen Snohomish County and bring people together. We are dedicated to being part of our collective well-being and look forward to our annual celebration.
2021 FAIR HONOREE: Kathy VanBuskirk
Kathy has volunteered at the Evergreen State Fair every year for the past 20 + years working in the horse arena office helping with registration, ribbons, solving problems and answering questions at the office window. She is the first to arrive in the morning and the last to leave at night for the 10 days 4-H horses are at the Fair. She also works at all the 4-H Horse events at the Fairgrounds More on Kathy HERE. Kathy will be honored in a ceremony at the 2022 Fair, since there is no 2021 opening ceremony.
WHAT’S NEW?
Goat Playground: Our park planners have designed and built a fun playground for goats to frolic! With tunnels, logs and rocks for scampering, jumping and exploring, this is a must-see new attraction that is sure to bring a smile to your face. Next to the Goat Barn.
Weekday Admission Pack: New this year is one heck of a deal! Our new Weekday Roundup Ticket Package includes four tickets for only $32 (with free parking)! We are encouraging fair guests to enjoy all the amazing things we have to offer on our six weekdays to spread out capacity and avoid crowded weekends. Purchase advance discount admission, group, carnival passes by August 25 and save!
Pre-purchase and Cashless Sales
We are encouraging fairgoers to pre-purchase tickets or make cashless sales for the safety of our patrons and staff. You can pre-purchase fair admission and carnival tickets. Butler Amusements operates a “cashless” midway. Only the food concessions, ticket boxes and ticket kiosks directly accept cash, debit card, and credit cards. Learn more here.
SeeClickFix: We will be using the SeeClickFix app as a technology innovation for fairgoers to report maintenance and facility issues. See a bathroom that needs attention? Sink that is clogged? Hand sanitizer station that is empty? Use the QR code posted at that location to report it directly to our maintenance staff so they can promptly address it.
Morning of Dreams
Nationally recognized as an award winner for removing barriers in Parks, Evergreen Morning of Dreams is a special morning event for children and adults with disabilities or special needs to experience the fun of the Fair in a calmer, sensory-friendly setting. Evergreen Morning of Dreams will be on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. No special ticket is needed, general fair admission applies. More information HERE.
WHAT’S DIFFERENT?
Limited Capacity: The local and national staffing shortage has affected our ability to hire enough staff to operate the fair at the usual capacity. This has not only affected Fair staffing, but our vendors are also experiencing a labor and product supply shortage. We are very grateful to be hosting the community back at the Fair Park and to be planning a fair this year, even with the current strain on resources across many industries. Having lower capacity allows us to operate safely and efficiently with less staff, especially on busy weekends. The fair will be different this year – read our FAQ’s to learn more about what to expect.
Wednesday, September 1 the fair is closed: We are closed 9/1 to give staff and volunteers a day to clean and sanitize the fair park, change over the barns and rotate the animals with no public on the grounds and prepare for the second half of the fair. The Evergreen State Fair will be 11 days this year instead of 12.
Fewer Vendors: The fair will have fewer vendors this year (about 50%) allowing the booths to be adequately spread out for social distancing.
No competitive displays: Due to limited staffing and volunteer judges, we are not accepting competitive displays this year (quilts, afghans, photos, artwork, crafts, baking goods, floral, food preserves, homemade beverages, general agriculture, etc.). There will be some educational and static display (quilts, needle point, flowers etc. – they are available for viewing but not judged this year).
Change in attractions: There is no rodeo, petting zoo, or pony rides this year.
Free Parking: The local and national staffing shortage has affected our ability to hire enough staff and to operate the Fair at the usual capacity. We need to consolidate our staff for essential fair operations. In reviewing our smaller fair and staffing issues, we’ve decided to have free parking to reduce the overall cost of coming to our event for the community. We are therefore offering free parking for the 2021 Evergreen State Fair and will not have parking sellers.
Increased sanitation and cleaning: We will have 300 hand sanitizer stations around the fair park. We have increased our sanitizing and cleaning procedures and have robust health and safety plan. The public can report facility issues in the SeeClickFix app so our staff can address it promptly.
No weekday gate specials: In order to spread out attendance over the 11 days of fair, we are not having weekday gate specials. Fairgoers can purchase tickets ahead of time and choose whichever day they feel comfortable coming to the fair park.
GRANDSTAND CONCERT SERIES
Monday, August 30 -Foghat (Rock) PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
Show at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25 – $45
Tuesday, August 31- Chris Janson (Country) PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
Show at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $35 – $80
Thursday, September 2 – Zach Williams (Contemporary Christian) PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
Show at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $30 – $55
Friday, September 3 – Flor de Toloache (International All-Female Mariachi Band) PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
Show at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20 – $38
Tommy James and the Shondells – CANCELLED
The show is cancelled due to reasons beyond our control.
Tickets can be purchased at Etix.com or at the Fair Pass Booth now through day of the concert. All tickets include fair gate admission (a $14 value).
FAIR ON A BUDGET
Discount Rides
Purchase your Unlimited Ride Wristbands by August 25 and save! You can purchase the wristbands online at Etix.com (fee applies) or at the Fair Pass Booth (no additional fee).
Discount Admission
- Weekday Admission Pack: New this year is one heck of a deal! Our new Weekday Roundup Ticket Package includes four tickets for only $32 (with free parking)! We are encouraging fair guests to enjoy all the amazing things we have to offer on our six weekdays to spread out capacity and avoid crowded weekends. Purchase advance discount admission, group, carnival passes by August 25 and save!
- Kids 5 and under are always FREE!
Free Activities
There are HUNDREDS of free things to do at the Fair that are included with your gate admission price! Here’s a list of a few of them to get you started on planning your day at the Fair!
· Courtyard Stage – A variety of musical acts will take place on stage for 11 days. Acts like the Blue Mariah Band, Ciscoe Morris gardening expert, the Lonely Hearts Club, the Honky Tonk Sweethearts, local bands, the Reptileman and more!
· Roving Entertainment – From a one man band, balloon twister, to comedy – they will surprise you!
· Contests – Schedule HERE. Sign-ups are first-come, first-entered on site.
· International Lumberjack Show – Watch as axes are thrown, logs are rolled and Lumberjacks race to the top of 60 foot poles! This family friendly event will be sure to have your jaws dropped. Daily shows at 12:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (no 7:00 p.m. show on Labor Day).
· Sow and Litter Display – Every year Farmer Miller’s pig gives birth to baby piglets! Stop by barn #513 to see how old they are when you visit!
· Sky Valley Antique Tractor Display – Come visit the Judging Arena area to see the large collection of antique tractors! If you have little ones, they can race around a roped off track in a tractor their own size!
· Aztec Indian Dancers – 2 pm & 6 pm daily (no 6 pm show on Labor Day). Frontier Land.
DAILY SCHEDULES, EVENTS and MORE!
Daily Schedules and Special Displays – A full list of daily events can be found online HERE.
EQUESTRIAN Events
**The Pro-West Rodeo is Canceled this year**
August 26 – September 2: 4-H Horse Shows
August 26 – 28: 5:00 p.m. Western Regional/Open Class Clydesdale Show
August 29: 2:00 p.m. Western Regional Clydesdale Show
August 29: 5:00 p.m. WA State Draft Horse and Mule Extravaganza
August 30: 5:00 p.m. WA State Draft Horse and Mule Extravaganza (featuring WA. Pullers Association)
August 31: 5:00 p.m. WA State Draft Horse and Mule Extravaganza
Wed. Sept. 1: Fair is Closed
September 4: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Snohomish County Western Games: Stilly Figure 8, One Jump Scurry, Polo and Key (Team: Rescue – time permitting)
September 5: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Snohomish County Western Games: Stake, Half Eight, Speed Barrels, International Flag Team: Ribbon
September 6 – TBA
Evergreen SPEEDWAY Events
FRI Aug. 27th — Monster Trucks – Monster Truck Rides ($10 per rider – open when doors open) Megasaurus, Youth Hornets, Buses, Mini Bump to Pass and Fireworks: Doors 4pm, Fan Fest 5:40pm, Show 6:55pm Buy Friday Monster Truck Tickets Here
SAT Aug. 28th — Monster Trucks – Monster Truck Rides ($10 per rider – open when doors open) Megasaurus, Hornets, Buses, Dwarf Cars, Legends: Doors 3pm, Fan Fest 4:50pm, Show 5:55pm Buy Saturday Monster Truck Tickets Here
SUN Aug. 29th — Monster Trucks (Matinee)- Monster Truck Rides ($10 per rider – open when doors open) Megasaurus, Dwarf Cars, Vintage Modifieds, Youth Hornets, Buses: Doors 12pm, Fan Fest 1:50pm, Show 2:55pm Buy Sunday Monster Truck Tickets Here
SAT Sept. 4th — Granite Sprint Series – Winged Sprint Cars, WMRA Street Stocks, Super Stock Figure 8s, Mini Stocks: Doors 4pm, Show 6:00pm Buy Sprint Series Tickets Here
SUN Sept. 5th — Demo Derby & Fireworks – Outlaw Figure 8s, Buses, Boats, Hornets, Stinger 8s, V8 Extremes and Fireworks!: Doors 2pm, Show 6:00pm Buy Demo Derby Tickets Here
MON Sept. 6th — 425 Motorsports Auto X: 12:00pm: FREE (with paid gate admission – discounted Labor Day admission)
August 22, 2021
Everett