Parading Through Town

[quote style=”2″]Parade Signals Start of Umatilla County Fair Week[/quote]

Just after 6:30 p.m., the first entrant in the 2013 Umatilla County Fair Parade made its way west, down Highland Avenue officially kicking off fair week.

Grand Marshal Randy Mills lead the way riding a tractor and waving to the crowds on both sides of the street. More than 150 Entries were featured in this year’s parade, including high school bands, cheerleaders, wrestling teams and dance teams. Entrants came from far and wide with representatives from the Pendleton Round-Up, the Benton-Franklin County Fair, the Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days and more.

(PHOTO GALLERY: Umatilla County Fair Parade)

Politicians made the rounds such as State Sen. Bill Hansell, State Reps. Greg Smith and Bob Jenson as well as the Hermiston City Council.

By the end of the evening, smashed up candy and horse droppings littered the streets, a small price to pay for a fun tradition that brings the entire community out to enjoy a warm summer evening.

The official start of the fair is still a few days away. Between now and then, livestock and small animal entries will be received at the fairgrounds, 4-H exhibits will be judged and several fair contests will be held.

(See the entire Umatilla County Fair Schedule)

But the real fun begins at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, when the gates to the fairgrounds open to the public and more 4-H judging takes place and contests held. And a fair wouldn’t be a fair without carnival rides and the Davis Carnival is set to open on Tuesday at 2 p.m. The carnival will begin its regular opening time of 1 p.m. beginning Wednesday.

Lee Brice will headline the Main Stage at 9 p.m. on Tuesday. Wednesday, Latino Day at the fair, will feature La Nobleza De Aguililla at 9 p.m. followed by Tormenta De Durango at 10 p.m. Thursday’s headliner will be War, with Travis Tritt on Friday and Hoobastank closing things out on Saturday.

A variety of other entertainment will take place throughout the week away from the Main Stage. Alex Zerbe, the “Professional Zaniac” will perform throughout the week at the UCF Stage and Dr. Solar’s Magical Medicine Show will entertain on the Coke Stage during the week. Other acts include Hypnotist Extraordinaire Tammy Barton and Let’s Pretend Farm Time Tour.

Want more music? Then head to “The Watering Hole” Beverage Tent for 2 Faced Johnny at 8 and 10:15 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Blue Tattoo will perform in the same spot at the same times on Friday and Saturday.

And, beginning Wednesday, there is the four-day run of the Farm-City Pro Rodeo at 7:30 p.m. A rodeo ticket also gets you into the fair. Visit the Umatilla County Fair website for more information on the fair and the Farm-City Pro Rodeo website for the inside scoop on the rodeo.