Thurston County Fair gets off to a good start

The gates to the Thurston County Fair opened at 10 a.m. Wednesday with a line out the door, fair-goers clamoring to see traditional fair animals including rabbits, horses, pigs and dogs as well as to get to carnival rides, food, games and performances.

Despite two years since the last fair, Fair Event Coordinator Theresa Reid said the fair got off to a good start, even though organizers had run into a few issues, including trouble finding volunteers.

“The people who would do it every year — it’s been such a long time that we’re not part of the routine anymore,” she said. “A lot of the people who normally work during the week of the fair weren’t available.”

Still, fair-goers found traditional attractions as well as new events such as the Wings Aerial Acrobats from Yelm who performed opening day morning. Don Riggs, also known as The Reptile King, also was busy showing children and parents a range of scaly creatures.

Children cheered and gasped as Riggs pulled out a snapping turtle, an alligator and a baby Komodo dragon from under a tent in a shaded area of the fair. Riggs taught the children lessons about the animals such as the difference between alligators and crocodiles.

The Welcoming Ceremony on Wednesday also included a cupcake decorating competiton between elected officials as well as the Commercial Booth Awards and the Ann Shipley Lifetime Achievement Award. The fair is celebrating its 150th year.

“I’m feeling really good about the start of this year’s fair,” Reid said.