Fair fun, rodeo action return to Ritzville

Families, community members and exhibitors alike are all preparing for the annual Wheat Land Communities’ Fair, beginning on Thursday, Sept. 1.

The event provides visitors with four fun-filled days of family friendly activities, youth exhibitor competitions and exciting rodeo action. The fair is welcoming back and adding a variety of activities and food booths for guests to enjoy.

The highlight of the weekend events includes the community parades and barbecue in Ritzville City Park. Friday and Saturday night are filled with nerve-racking, heart-pounding competition in the Ritzville Rodeo Arena.

Community Parade

Before the main parade begins, the children of the communities have the opportunity to showcase their character and outfits. The Junior Parade begins at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3, and the theme is “Tropical Paradise.”

All children participating in the parade should meet at the Sloan Leavitt Insurance building by 10 a.m., which is located at 403 West Main Avenue. Judging begins promptly at 10:15 a.m.

The annual Ritzville Community Parade fills the streets at 11 a.m. and highlights many outstanding individuals, businesses and community members from Ritzville and the surrounding areas.

Fire Truck Ride

The second grade class from Ritzville Grade School can climb aboard a fire truck to ride through the grand parade on Saturday. Parents can bring their second grade child to the fire station at First Avenue and Adams Street at 10:15 a.m. before the start of the parade.

The fire trucks return to the station at the conclusion of the parade and parents can meet their children there.

Barbecue in the park

The Ritzville Gun Club is hosting the annual barbecue in the Ritzville City Park on Saturday, Sept. 3, that provides visitors with a traditional barbecue lunch.

The barbecue begins at noon when plates are piled high with a barbecued sandwich, baked beans, chips and bottled water or soda, all for only $8 a plate.

Fair and Rodeo activities and attractions

The food experience at a fair is just as important for visitors as the exhibits and activities throughout the fairgrounds. This year, the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair is providing visitors with an excellent selection of family favorite foods and treats.

Below is the list of vendors and foods that are scheduled to appear at the fair:

The Eagles provides hot breakfast, and milkshakes in the afternoon; Lind-Ritzville FFA is making hamburgers, barbecued beef, chicken strips, french fries and more; Bronc Boosters are serving barbecue pulled pork sandwiches, baked potatoes, apple slices, hot dogs, sausage dogs, pretzels with cheese, lemonade, iced tea, hillbilly juice, hot chocolate, coffee; JV Concessions have a variety of foods with elephant ears, cotton candy, hand dipped hot dogs and more; Ralston Grange is selling Kraut runzas, German sausage, Frito chili pies, cheesy bratwurst, soda, water and coffee; Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce booth has ice cream; Ritzville Lions Club is cooking chicken; the Ritzville Ministerial Association/Food Pantry with pies, and Soup It Up is cooking chili, a variety of special soups, homemade cornbread, potatoes and chicken rice bowls.

A family-favorite fair tradition, the Talent Show, is returning to the Lions Club Amphitheatre at the fairgrounds on Thursday, Sept. 1, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The talent show features a variety of entertainers and performers, and is guaranteed entertainment for all in the crowd.

Joining the lineup for live entertainment this year is the Jeff Evans Magic Show and the Coeur d’Alene Theatre. The two newcomers are joining returning entertainer, the Reptile Man.

Thursday at 11 a.m. and again at 5:30 p.m. the Jeff Evans Magic Stage Show begins in the amphitheatre.

Evans will be performing a family-friendly comedy show along with stand up magic during his performances. In between his stage shows at 1 p.m., Evans will be walking around the fairgrounds going group to group performing close-up magic.

Friday at noon and again at 4 p.m., the Reptile Man Show begins in the amphitheatre. The Reptile Man showcases multiple reptiles for the crowd, including a tortoise, boa constrictor and a baby alligator.

After the presentation by the Reptile Man, all attendees have an opportunity to interact with the animals.

Sunday at 1 p.m., there will be a production put on by the Coeur d’Alene Theatre that will be free of charge at the amphitheatre.

The performance will include a show tunes concert.

All of these shows will be located at the amphitheatre and are free of charge with paid admission to the fair. With these three acts in store, kids and adults alike are guaranteed to be entertained.