Five days of fair set for Blaine County next week

For the second year in a row, the Blaine County Fair will have five event-crammed days of bucking broncs, captivating carnival, a mud-slinging demolition derby, and much more, including something totally new.

"For the first time this year, the Blaine County Fair introduces Arena Ball 'Paintless Paintball' for all the excitement of paintball, without the mess, and a Bouncy Waterslide to help fairgoers cool off in the midday heat," a press release for the event says.

The fair, which went last year from four days to five days, is set to take place at the fairgrounds on the west side of Chinook.

It starts Wednesday, July 12, with the kids' rodeo at 5 p.m., and concludes Sunday. The kids' rodeo, Fairgrounds Manager Wendy Warburton said, is very popular and filled with participants.

Montana-owned Dreamland Carnival will be back with at least 13 rides and games for all ages, a release for the fair says.

The Bear Paw Roundup PRCA Rodeo will showcase professional rodeo Thursday and Friday.

The Showdown Demolition Derby excitement is set for Saturday with a total purse of $10,000. This year, the chain 'n' bang old-school chain-only derby-within-the-derby offers its own $1,500 purse as well.

During the derby, little kids can bring their battery-powered kids vehicles for the "half-time" kids Power Wheels Derby, Warburton said.

The 4-H and FFA Youth Livestock Sale will happen Sunday afternoon and "Double D Pig Wrestling action concludes the fair with a splash in front of the grandstands on Sunday," the release says.

Free face painting and balloon animals are offered, and rising country music star Cale Moon will perform.

The Freckle Farm Pony Rides and Petting Zoo, will be back, but with an added surprise - new Turkey Races.