Do the Puyallup Fair 2012

Background

Our family attended the first day of the Puyallup Fair.  Yes, it is a school day and my kids skipped class to attend the event.  This is our family tradition.  :-)

The Puyallup Fair is the largest single attraction held annually in the state of Washington. The fair continually ranks in the top ten largest fairs in the United States.^[1] The Western Washington Fair Association hosts two annual events: the 17-day Puyallup Fair every September, and the four-day Puyallup Spring Fair every April. -- wikipedia

If you love the history of the fair, you need to visit this site - http://www.thefair.com/utility/about-us/history.php.  A very creative way to learn about the history.


This year, we were kind of late so all free road side parking near the fair ground had been taken.  We end up parking at a private garage for $4.  It was just a short walk to the fair.  We were the first to park and the last to leave, so it is definitely worth the money.

Puyallup Fair Western Rodeo Parade

As usual, the Cattle Drive kicked off the parade. 

The Puyallup Fair Western Rodeo Parade is a great way to kick off the start of the Puyallup Fair. The annual Cattle Drive starts at 10 am and travels down Meridian Street in downtown Puyallup.

This is a non-motorized parade, including equestrian drill teams, draft horse hitches, military marching bands, great musical entertainment, royalty, and cowboys on horseback. The 2012 Grand Marshall is western artist extraordinaire, Fred Oldfield.

It is supposed to be non-motorized parade but in recently years, there are more and more tractors. 
Anyhow, this is a nice parade to attend.  This year, we found a different spot which was less crowded and had some shade.  

Our viewing spot

The Food Drive

Do the Puyallup Fair free on Opening Day on Friday with KOMO Newsradio and KOMO 4 when you bring a suggested non-perishable food donation from 9 a.m. to noon only.

All donations benefit the Puyallup Food Bank. Last year more than 160,000 pounds of food were collected on Opening Day and the goal is to beat that number this year.

Gothard Sisters

The first performance we watched were performed by the Gothard Sisters. 

A show with this talented trio of sisters includes fast fiddle numbers, singing ballads, and champion Irish step dancing incorporated into exciting numbers featuring country, Irish, flamenco, and rock influences, as well as stories, educational tidbits, and a good time for audiences of all ages. Check them out on YouTube >

This was the first time we watched the sisters performance.  My family agreed whole-heartedly that they are very talented.  We truly enjoy this performance!

Northwest Outdoors

This has always been our family favorite attraction.  The kids got to learn (refresh their memory) about salmon, forest and trapping animals.  The kids' really love the Trout Fishing Pond. 

Free Kids Fishing! Visit the Pond - it's stocked with 2,000 rainbow trout. Fishing gear is provided, and volunteers from state and local non-profit groups will be on hand to help. Every child who casts a line will walk away with a “Go Play Outside” decal, bumper sticker, and litterbag. Age and/or height restrictions apply. Located on Blue Ribbon Ave near the South Sky Ride terminal.



As usual, the nice volunteers patiently guide each kid in "catching" their fish.  The excitement and fulfilling expression on the kid's face when they catch a fish is priceless.  Thanks to all the volunteers!

There is a new things this year - Archery.

Archery, the sport for all ages, brings fun and challenge to all the members of your family. Often considered the Worlds' First Sport, archery offers diversity that is available in no other sport. Archery gear is provided and volunteers from Washington State Archery Association will provide instruction and pointers.   

We had to wait a long time in the queue but it is definitely worth the wait.  The volunteer went through each steps in details.  I gave it a try and love the experience.  We are even considering taking up archery as a sport!  Thanks to the 2 volunteers there!

Dizzy Hips

The second performance we watched were performed by Dizzy Hips.

Check it out! Dizzy Hips has set several Guinness World Records, such as “The Most Hoops Spun at Once," been featured in Ripley’s Believe it or Not!, and invented two-person hooping. Don’t miss out on a hula-hooping good time!

This was our first time watching Dizzy Hips.  He basically re-define hula-hooping and the show was very entertaining.  For example, he selected a couple to demonstrate his two-person hooping.  He asked a gentleman and his wife to join him on to the stage.  To his surprised, the young lady standing beside the man wasn't his "wife" but a older lady (about 70-80 years) who was sitting down.  I could clearly see that Dizzy Hips was very worried.  But the demonstration completed beautifully! 

The most amazing part of the performance was Dizzy Hips hula-hooping the big 100lb tractor tyre.  Dizzy Hips is truly amazing!

The kids were put to work.

Hula-hooping the big 100lb tractor tyre

Dizzy Hips in the morning parade

Display

There is a building where different art works were displayed - from photography, oil painting, water color painting to quilt.  This is a treasure!  We spend more than an hour here but could easily spend 4-6 hours.  Next year, we plan to visit this building first and maybe buy some art works as well.

Rainforest Adventure

Another new exhibit this year is the Rainforest Adventure.

NEW! Walk through and experience an authentic tropical rainforest atmosphere. This multi-sensory expedition is a lush rainforest exhibit complete with the critters that inhabit this environment. The toucans, anacondas, snapping turtles, and geckos will join you on your adventure through plant-life growing from the ground to the canopy! Naturalists and interpreters will also be on hand to explain how every layer contributes to the environment and the challenges facing these unique ecological wonders. Learn how you can make a difference.

Here is a short report about the Rainforest Adventure by King5.


There was a short queue to get into the attraction.  We had to walk through a suspension bridge, jumped through a lily pond and finally slide down into the "rain forest".  The whole place was very well decorated so we got a feeling that we were actually in the rain forest.  We got to pat a couple of animals like scorpion and hedgehog.  Our family even had a picture with a big python over us.

Let's Pretend Pirate Adventure

This was mostly a show for young kids.  There were lots of audience participation.  If your kids love to act, remember to arrive 15 minutes before the show time.   

Cute pirates, beautiful mermaids, mischievous monkeys, an overly chatty parrot, and the evil Captain Green Beard all come together for a grand adventure in search of – what else? TREASURE! Little ones will love being part of this imaginative adventure. Kids are selected from the audience to create the show! Located west of Fountain.

Fireworks

This is the first year there is fireworks...  Wow!.

Get ready to ooooh and ahhhh! Check out an explosive fireworks show every Friday night! Fireworks will be set off from the Grandstand and be visible from various locations throughout the grounds.

In past years, a huge fireworks display would follow every grandstand show. After years of absence, it’s back – but not at the grandstand. The 10-minute-long Fireworks Spectacular will start at approximately 10 p.m. near SillyVille tonight and every Friday night -- theolympian