Western Idaho Fair facts for kids
The Western Idaho Fair is a super fun annual event in Idaho! It's one of the state's biggest fairs, bringing people together every late summer or early fall. The fair has been held in Boise since 1897 and at Expo Idaho in Garden City since 1967. You can usually visit it from the third Friday of August until the fourth Sunday of August. Idaho also has an Eastern Idaho Fair in Blackfoot, Idaho.
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A Look Back: Fair History
The Western Idaho Fair started a long time ago, in 1897. Back then, it was called the Idaho Intermountain Fair. It was mostly about farming and animals. Farmers would bring their sheep, cows, horses, and pigs from all over the West to show them off.
Early Days and New Homes
In 1902, the fair moved to a new spot in Boise. That same year, a famous show called Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show came to the fair! In 1913, the fair had its very first rodeo, called the Boise Stampede. It featured top cowboys and animals from other big rodeos.
Challenges and Changes
Over the years, the fair faced some tough times. Things like money problems, wars, and changes in who was in charge made it hard to keep the fair going every year. For example, between 1913 and 1935, the fair changed its name five times! It even skipped some years, like during World War I.
In 1936, a new group was formed to organize the fair, and it was named the Western Idaho State Fair. After a great fair that year, the volunteers who helped got a special thank you gift. The fair also had to be canceled for four years during World War II.
The Fair's Current Home
In 1967, the fair moved to its current location in Garden City at Expo Idaho. It was renamed the Western Idaho Fair. A local reporter said that everything felt new, except for the friendly faces and old traditions. In 2020, the fair was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, young people in programs like 4-H and Future Farmers of America still got to show and sell their animals, keeping the fair's farming roots alive.
Exciting Events and Famous Visitors
The Western Idaho Fair is a place to celebrate Idaho's farming, animals, art, and culture. You can see all sorts of judging competitions and enjoy popular entertainment, just like at many state fairs.
Stars and Shows
Many famous people have visited the Western Idaho Fair over the years, either as guests or performers. Imagine seeing:
- Charles Lindbergh (a famous pilot) in 1927
- Actors like Slim Pickens in 1946 and William Shatner in 1968
- Music groups like The Doobie Brothers and Paul Revere and the Raiders
- The Charlie Daniels Band
- Singers like Reba McEntire and Conway Twitty
- The legendary Johnny Cash in 1990
- Bands like REO Speedwagon, Ted Nugent, and Foreigner
- ""Weird Al" Yankovic and Styx
Even Ronald Reagan, who later became president, visited in 1976!
A Special Fan
The late J. R. Simplot, a famous Idaho businessman who helped create frozen French fries for McDonald's, loved the draft horse and mule show. He rarely missed a fair in his 99 years!
