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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spokane County Interstate Fair: Tips and tricks for your visit

Riders on the YOYO amusement ride enjoy a view of the sunset on Monday night at the Spokane County Interstate Fair. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)

The county fair offers timeless fun for the whole community. Here’s what you need to know to plan your visit.

Best time and day to visit the fair if you want to avoid the crowds? Between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The crowds pick up after school and for the evening grandstand entertainment.

Monday, Sept. 11, is Patriots Day at the fair, which means all members of the military, fire and police departments receive free admission on this day.

Senior Day is Tuesday, Sept. 12, so if you’re over the age of 65, admission is free that day.

Kids 6 and under get in free on all 10 days.

Once inside the fair, the free stuff is also the fun stuff. Don’t miss the pig races. Or the Mutton Bustin’. Or the petting zoo.

If you’re going to ride anything at the carnival, it’s almost certainly going to be cheaper to buy the “all you can ride” wristband for $28.

By the numbers

  • More than 3,000 free parking spaces
  • 43 different food vendors – not including the stands inside the carnival

  • Over 200 commercial vendors – including more hot tub vendors than you can imagine
  • 2,000 livestock entered into the fair this year

  • Over 10,000 exhibits entered into the fair this year
  • Annual attendance is typically between 200,000 and 240,000 – depending on the weather and economy
  • 9,000: The amount of spin art typically made at each year’s fair

  • Typical corn dog stand has up to 900 pounds of dry batter each year
  • Typical elephant ear stand uses 30 pounds of cinnamon and 1,200 pounds of sugar
  • How many pizzas will Pizza Rita make? Close to 2,000
  • Typical funnel cake stand serves over 8,000 funnel cakes in 10 days
  • 6,000 refillable cups sold each year