Get ‘Truckin’ Back to the Fair’ at the Grays Harbor County Fair

The Grays Harbor County Fair will return to the fairgrounds in Elma for four days from Aug. 4-7.

The theme of this year’s event is “Truckin’ Back to the Fair.” It’s a real old-fashioned summer fair: from the 4-H and FFA animals, gardening/baking displays, to the amusement rides and games and musical entertainment for the whole family. And save room for all of the delicious fair food.

“Coming out of the craziness of the pandemic, we’ve been rallying to stage the fair and provide four days of outstanding family fun,” said Mike Bruner, Grays Harbor Fairgrounds and Tourism Manager, during Media Day on Thursday.

“There’s great headlining musical acts along with enjoyable family activities, exhibits, animals and shows, combining with returning favorites for the classic, county fair experience.”

He credited his staff for helping put together this year’s event.

“Since about April of last year, we’ve been down two positions in the office, So upstairs (there) are usually five people and there’s been three for that stretch of time. So I just have a lot of respect for our staff and their willingness — there’s some resilience there and dedication that you don’t see all the time,” Bruner said.

Bruner thanked the fair board, county commissioners, and sponsors, and noted there are between 80 who 100 volunteers that help put the fair together and keep it running.

Country music star Riley Green appears on the Pepsi Stage on Wednesday, Aug. 4 at 8 p.m. Golden Circle Reserved Tickets are nearly sold out and sell for $50, which includes fair admission. A fair ticket is also a free seat in the general seating area. To order online visit ghcfairgrounds.com/p/tickets or call (877) 793-8935. The concert is sponsored by Bud Light.

Shenandoah, a country music group, performs on Thursday, Aug. 5 at 8 p.m. on the Pepsi Stage. Golden Circle Reserved Tickets are available for $35 and include fair admission, or see the show for free in the general seating area, with your paid fair admission. The concert is sponsored by The Vaughan Company.

Other entertainment included with fair admission:

Olson Brothers Band on the Jodesha Kid’s Zone stage (Aug. 6 at 7 p.m.), Aaron Crawford on the Jodesha Kid’s Zone stage (Aug. 7 at 8 p.m.) Ericka Corban (Aug. 6 at 4 p.m.), the Grays Harbor Youth Livestock Auction (Aug. 7 at 2 p.m.), Toons Band (Aug. 7 at 3 p.m.), Christian Fellowship Music Program (Aug. 7 at 4 p.m.), as well as Professor Bamboozle performing his comedic act daily.

The raceway will roar with action on Aug. 7 at 4 p.m. — a Grays Harbor County Fair tradition — free with paid admission to the fair and sponsored by Grays Harbor Raceway.

This year is, “going to be just a little bit different,” explained Bruner. “The big thing is that we’re normally a five day fair. This year we’re going to go Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Bruner said they also saw less applications from vendors this year and will place most outside in the hub, “there’s a few indoor vendors that are mixed around in different barns that fit that particular department but all of the vendors are going to be outdoors.”

The Grays Harbor County Fair runs from noon to 10:30 p.m. Parking is $5 per day. Regular Fair admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors (62+) and youths (6-15). Kids 5 and under are free every day of the fair. Friday is Kids Day, and all youths get a $2 discount off fair admission.

The Grays Harbor County Fair honors current and former military personnel with a $2 Military Appreciation Discount available daily.

Carnival wristbands for unlimited rides are now available presale at the Fairgrounds Office for $29 through Aug. 1 or $35 each during the fair at the carnival lot.

For more information on the Grays Harbor County Fair call 360-482-2651 or visit the fair website at ghcfairgrounds.com.