Elmore County Fair and Rodeo kick off

Carnies begin the process of setting up one of the rides offered by Paradise Amusements when it opens its gates at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

The Elmore County Fair kicks into high gear today, with the exhibit building, midway and carnival open to the public.

The fair is held at the fairgrounds in Glenns Ferry (take the second exit off I-84 at Glenns Ferry). Due to the economy, fair officials have decided to drop the $3 parking fee, charging only the $3 per person fee to enter the event.

The theme of this year's fair is "104 Years of Cowbells and Carousels." The first county fair was held in 1905.

Makenna Hedelius' lamb, Banana Split, took second place in the 4-H Market Lamb competition at the Elmore County Fair, while Adara Orth's lamb, Chip, earned first place and Grand Champion honors. Both girls are from Glenns Ferry.

The fair this year features the return of Paradise Amusements from last year and the return of the ICA/IMPRA rodeo to the same week as the fair.

The fair is being held early this year in order to be able to accommodate the carnival's schedule. The rodeo this year will not feature a queen contest, as fair officials were unable to find anyone to run it.

In addition to regular food venddors in the midway area, the event will feature a craft fair as well.

Most of the events for the first three days of the fair, from July 12-14, were for fair participants only. The main events begin today and run through Saturday.

Fair activity highlights for the rest of the week, not counting a large number of lesser events, include:

Wednesday, July 15 -- The 4-H and Optimist Beef Showmanship contests begin at 9 a.m.

The opening of the exhibit building at noon is the point at which most activities for the general public begin. The exhibit building will be open until 10 p.m.

At 1 p.m. an Open Tractor Driving contest, sponsored by 4-H, begins.

Paradise Amusements Carnival opens at 4 p.m. and will run until 10 p.m.

Thursday, July 16 -- The 4-H and Optimist Swine Show begins at 9 a.m., along with the 4-H Dog Showmanship and Obedience events at the same time.

The exhibit building will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Paradise Amusements Carnival opens at 4 p.m.

The All Youth Junior Rodeo begins at 6:30 p.m.

Friday, July 17 -- The 4-H Dairy Show begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the Optimist Youth Organization Lamb Show and 4-H Dog Agility Show at 9 a.m.

The exhibit building will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Paradise Amusements Carnival opens at 4 p.m. The main rodeo begins at 6 p.m.

Dancing on the midway, to the music of Groovin DJ, will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Saturday, July 18 -- The University of Idaho 4-H Livestock Sale begins at 9 a.m., followed by the Optimist Youth Organization Livestock Sale at 11:30 a.m.

The exhibit building will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The carnival will open at noon.

The second day of the rodeo begins at 7 p.m.

Dancing on the midway, to the music of Groovin DJ, will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight.