Five things to know before you go to the Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden next week
The Northwest Washington Fair starts next week on Thursday, Aug. 11, and as you and your family get excited for the event of the summer, there are a few things you should know before packing up the car and heading to Lynden.
“This year’s fair theme ‘It’s On’ captures our excitement to bring the community together this summer and make memories over ten days in August and take some time to enjoy much loved traditional parts of the Fair as well as experience something new,” fair Manager Selena Burgess wrote in an email.
The fair will have new entertainment, shows and exhibits. Here are five things to know before attending the Northwest Washington Fair:
When the fair is open
The fair is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 11-20. The carnival is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and admission sales close at 9 p.m. daily.
The fair office is open during the fair from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
How to get tickets
Tickets for the fair can be purchased at the fair office at 1775 Front St., Lynden.
General admission tickets cost $15. For youth ages six to 12, tickets are $10 and children five and under are free. Senior admission for those ages 62 and above are $13. Season passes are also available for all 10 days of the fair for $45.
The fair is also offering free admission for military personnel, first responders and other groups on certain fair days, according to previous reporting in The Bellingham Herald.
On Aug. 14, free gate admission is available to anyone who arrives between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. through gates two or five.
Where to park
Parking is free in downtown Lynden, within walking distance to the fairgrounds and with a free shuttle to the fair. Follow the signs to the nearest shuttle in downtown Lynden or view the shuttle stops on the online map.
Most paid parking around the fairgrounds are lots with proceeds going to local charities.
The Whatcom Transportation Authority will also be offering free rides to the fair Aug. 11-20. There will be a special 10 p.m. bus running from the fairgrounds to Bellingham on weeknights and Saturdays only. The bus will stop at Cordata Station and downtown’s Bellingham station. The full Whatcom Transportation bus route can be found online.
What’s prohibited at the fair
These items are prohibited and can result in removal from the fairgrounds:
▪ Alcoholic beverages outside of designated alcohol service areas.
▪ Pets except for trained guide dogs or service animals.
▪ Any weapons.
▪ Marijuana.
▪ Drones or other mechanical flying devices.
Free activities at the fair
Although admission is not free, there are many things you can do without spending extra money at the fair.
Pack snacks and enjoy a walk through the fairgrounds, and view the exhibits and animals.
The Banner Bank Festival Stage has free shows and performers such as a hypnotist, a magician, acrobatics and live music.
The Northwest Washington Fair Car Show is full of car enthusiasts’ collections, from classic cars to current models. The car show is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily in the Philips 66 Center.
The Grandstand Horse Shows take place at 1 p.m. daily on Aug. 15-20 and include pony chariot races, wild pony races and more at the Bank of the Pacific Grandstand Arena.
The Nerveless Nocks will perform their stunt show at 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5 p.m. daily at the Silver Reef Casino Resort Stage.
The Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show includes ax throwing, log rolling, crosscut sawing and a dragster chainsaw competition at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. daily at The Bennett Team Action Stage.
Visitors can learn about the “Legendary Longhorns,” Texas longhorns who perform three times a day. The longhorns, Shot Gun and Show Gun, will perform at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. daily on the west side of BP Place.
