Takin' in the Blaine County Fair

Another year of the Blaine County Fair has come and gone, and despite uncharacteristic heat that graced the region, organizers and fair-goers considered the event an overall success.

This year's summer heat has affected life all over the West, and fair life was no exception. Two of the most popular events - Saturday's demolition derby and Sunday's pig wrestling competitions - were moved to an hour later to "beat the heat," an announcement on the event's website page says. Instead of 5 p.m., each event started at 6 p.m.

Fair Board manager Wendy Warburton said the fair was extremely successful and described additional steps taken to ensure fairgoer comfort, as well as that of the animals.

"The hot weather was a real challenge, but it helped greatly that we had installed additional new, shaded seating and offered free shuttle rides from the parking area to the midway and grandstands," Warburton said.

"A great deal of care was taken to make sure all the animals were safe and comfortable in the heat, too. We had a wonderful crew and are thankful to have a supportive, involved and interactive community and county," she added.

Don Richman, one of the co-organizers of the pig wrestling event and Blaine County Fair Board manager, said 44 teams signed up for the pig wrestling.

"This is the big finale," he said minutes before the event started.

Richman said his goal is to make pig wrestling "as big" as the demolition derby.

Standing beside him was John Skoyen, one of the co-organizers of Saturday's demo derby.

"Even with all the heat, we had the highest turnout we've ever had," Skoyen said. "Everybody came to see the crashin' and bashin'."

Randy Jones is from Mojave Valley, Arizona, and he and his wife Darlene came to Montana with The Freckle Farm Pony Rides and Petting Zoo and turkey races.

"We come a long way to be cool, but they fooled us on that," he said, laughing. "What happened to that?"

This was the first year the Blaine County Fair has featured turkey races, an event in which a remote control car dubbed the Bandit, which had a corn dish on top, sped around a little track while turkeys chased it in hopes of getting into the corn.

Things could've been a little faster-paced, Jones said.

"We've been a little bit slow. A little hot for everybody to come out," he said.

But he did get a taste of north-central Montana culture.

"I love this town. Everybody is so super nice," he said. "I haven't seen one cranky person. You guys have really got it together. I don't know how you are in the winter time, but you're nice in the summer."

Carol Ann Warburton from Chinook was in the midway, watching, along with many other families, Randy's turkeys scramble for corn.

"It's probably been one of our better fairs," Warburton said, adding participation has been great and business - she bartends at the Eagles Bar in Chinook - has been "awesome."

Pam Simenson, the manager of the 4H Chuckwagon, said she enjoyed working with the kids most of all. The Chuckwagon had been busy all five days of the fair, she said, with Saturday and both nights of the rodeo being especially busy.

One thing that has been especially pleasing, Simenson said, has been watching the children grow over the years.