Whidbey Island Fair begins on Thursday

Cattle, ducks, expert pie makers, an Elvis impersonator and 4-H kids will congregate on South Whidbey tomorrow.

Throw in some hot dogs, funnel cakes, carnival rides and log rolling and you’ve got yourself a fair.

As many as 20,000 people are expected to pass through the gates of this year’s Whidbey Island Fair, which runs from Thursday, July 19 to Sunday, July 22, according to fair manager Carol Coble. It’s located at the Island County Fairgrounds in Langley.

For the first time, young visitors can dress in costume and meet storybook characters from animated films such as Snow White, Moana, Sleeping Beauty, and Spiderman.

Other entertainment includes the only island performance by the popular vintage rock band Hair Nation on Saturday. Matt Hoar presents his entertaining “Clucky Chicken” show three times each day, featuring chicken antics and jokes. The log show with Albert Gabelein and a presentation from gardening guru Ciscoe Morris highlight Sunday afternoon.

Exhibits from the farm, including all types of livestock and crops, horticulture and floriculture, are on display. From the home, all types of handwork are represented: clothing, needlework, baking, art exhibits, canning, quilting and fiber arts. Young people share their interests and development through various projects chosen for recreation and learning.

“There are demonstrations throughout the fair to inspire an interest in the talents and abilities of the people in our unique region,” Coble said. “It is our sincere wish that everybody attending our fair leaves knowing something they did not know before they came.”

The popular parade begins at the WICA parking lot at 10 a.m. and hits the midway around 10:20 a.m. Saturday.