Blaine County fair set over Independence Day

Chinook will host the Blaine County Fair to kick off the summer season and the Fourth of July holiday at the Blaine County Fairgrounds next week, with events, running from Tuesday through Sunday, filled with food and fun.

The 4-H/FFA horse show starts off Tuesday, running from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the George Ortner Arena.

Wednesday at 1 p.m., the George Ortner Arena will host the Little Kids Rodeo.

4-H interview judging will be Thursday morning at 8 a.m. through noon.

By noon that day the Commercial Building also will be open to the public.

Starting at 7 p.m., Thursday, pig wrestling will begin at the George Ortner Arena — the last year of the extremely popular event.

Friday morning beginning at 6:30 a.m., the 4-H/FFA will have a breakfast sponsored by the Turner Lions Club.

The Bear Paw PRCA Rodeo will be both Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. each night, followed each night by dancing with live music from O.K. Olson and Company.

A popular event is returning to the George Ortner Arena Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m., with the demolition derby wrapping up fair week.

“The demolition derby normally has a packed house,” Blaine County Fair Board Manager Debbie Ramberg said. “People enjoy watching cars get banged up.”

She also said the Fair Foundation is in the process of building an indoor arena like the Bigger Better Barn in Havre and is hopeful for it to be done by September.

“Our fair board works really hard. We want to keep this fair going,” Ramberg said.

Carnival tickets are $20 in advance and are good for any day of the fair.

Rodeo tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children, with children admission free Friday night. Pig wrestling tickets are $10 for adults, children 12 and under are free.

At the derby adults are $20 with children 12 and under $10 for the back gate and, in the grandstands, adults are $15 and children 12 and under $5.

Tickets can be purchased throughout the week at the Blaine County Fair Office, 300 Cleveland Road W., Chinook.