By Steve McCasland
Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 |
“Under the Big Top,” the 2008 Coos County Fair and Rodeo, will run July 22-26 at the fairgrounds in Myrtle Point.
In addition to the usual popular fair exhibits and attractions, this year’s event will include opportunities for each of the county’s communities to showcase themselves.
Bandon Day is scheduled for Thursday. Nancy Evans, facilitator for Bandon Day, said, “This is a great opportunity for Bandon to invite friends in Coos County to enjoy our wonderful town.”
The event will take place in a 40-foot-by-40-foot open-sided tent located in the middle of the fairgrounds. Colors for decorations, table cloths, streamers and so forth will be green and cranberry. Tables and chairs will be provided. Display set-up time is 9 a.m.
Bandon’s mayor and city councilors will meet and greet guests throughout Bandon Day, offering maps, brochures and other information about the city.
This year’s Cranberry Festival Court has been invited to attend and help promote Bandon’s signature September event. A group of local cranberry growers will present videos and other information on growing and harvesting Bandon’s berry.
Old Town merchants will offer a taste of Old Town, including a “Put Your Feet Up” display, along with information and goodies reflecting a visit to Old Town. The Southern Oregon Wine Association will host a cranberry wine tasting. A “mini” Bandon Little Farmers Market also is planned.
Five talented young singers from Bandon’s New Artists Productions will perform from 5:30 to 6 p.m. on the main stage and Bandon Playhouse will perform musical numbers from its upcoming production, “The Pirates of Penzance,” at 8 p.m. on the main stage, directly following the Teen Idol contest, which also involves a few Bandon teenagers.
Local entertainer Skeet will perform throughout the day, and the Bandon Historical Society will provide a display of historical photos. Information and brochures also will be available on The Barn, Bandon’s Conference and Community Center. The closest guesser as to the number of cranberries in a jar at the event will win a free one-time use of one of the center’s facilities.
“Anyone who’d like to contribute by displaying something that says ‘Bandon’ or by providing entertainment is welcome to contact me at 347-9081 by Monday, July 21,” Evans added. “If you have something ‘Bandon’ that we’ve forgotten, please let us know and we’ll be happy to incorporate it. We’re open to suggestions.”
Thrills and spills
An NPRA-sanctioned rodeo will be featured in the main arena at the fair beginning at 7 on both Friday and Saturday nights. Rodeo general seating is free with the price of admission to the fair. Box seats are available for $20 each. Howell Rodeo will provide the stock for the rodeo, which is sponsored by Dodge.
New to the West Coast this year, and featured at the Coos County Fair, is Live Stingray Encounters, an exhibit produced by Sea Life Encounters of America and sponsored by Abel Insurance. The educational display, which offers the chance to feed and touch stingrays and other sea creatures, will be set up in The Grove all day Thursday-Saturday, July 24-26.
Brad’s World of Reptiles will be available all day throughout fair week in the basement of the Clarno Building, next to the community tent. The interactive display includes dozens of varieties of animals, from pythons to parrots. Those who enjoy getting close to creepy-crawlies will have a chance to hold an alligator and have their photo taken with it. Numerous other animals in the display also can be handled, and interpreters will answer questions and provide information on the various species.
Along with its other regular popular carnival rides, Butler Amusements will once again offer its Giant Wheel, the largest Ferris-wheel type ride in the world, along with a new ride, The Viper.
The Toddler Olympics, sponsored by Wal-Mart, is a new attraction this summer. Four sports stations, among them basketball and golf, will be set up in the kids activity area. At noon, 2, 4 and 6 p.m. daily, children will be able to sign up and take their chances at shooting hoops, making putts or other sporting activities. Scores will be kept track of throughout the week, and the top performers in each sport will win the equipment they competed on.
Another new event this year is the Babies and Ladies In Waiting Birthing Center, a fun and educational way to learn about where humans’ food comes from. In addition to newborn and very young beef cows, llamas, miniature horses, goats, rabbits, hamsters and other babies, the display will offer educational presentations and videos, along with a petting zoo.
The Western Express Railroad will run all around and through the fairgrounds and parking areas continuously throughout the week. There is no charge to take a break, sit and enjoy a cruise through the fair on the Western Express, sponsored by Coos Bay Toyota.
Coos County’s Master Gardeners will host daily demonstrations, as will award-winning chainsaw carver Chris Foltz. The North Bend Prospectors will provide a hands-on mining display throughout the week, with opportunities to win a drawing for a gold nugget.
Demonstrations on mosaic stepping stones, ash basket weaving and ultimate sawhorses will be offered by Powers residents throughout the day on Saturday, July 26, at the community day tent.
The Fairgrounds Museum, located above the rabbit barns, will be open daily, offering entertainment and exhibits for both young and old.
Admission/parking
The fair is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. General admission: Adults, $8 each day or $30 season ticket; children (6-12), free July 22, $3 all other days or $10 season ticket; seniors, free July 22, $8 all other days; 4-H family season pass, $20; parking, $4 daily or $20 weekly; preferred parking, $40.
First Student, formerly Laidlaw, will offer shuttle bus service from the Bandon Public Library to the fairgrounds and back throughout the week at $2 a person per round-trip.
Following are departure times from the library and from the fairgrounds for each day: Tuesday and Wednesday — depart library at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., depart fairgrounds at 12:30, 4:30 and 8 p.m.; Thursday — depart library at 11 a.m. and 3 and 6 p.m., depart fairgrounds at 12:30, 4:30 and 9 p.m.; Friday — depart library at noon and 6 p.m., depart fairgrounds at 1:30, 6:30 and 11 p.m.; Saturday — depart library at noon and 5 p.m., depart fairgrounds at 1:30, 6:30 and 11 p.m.
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