ONTARIO – Looking for something to do the first week of August?
Maybe you’re interested in hearing some good music.
Or want the opportunity to take out your governmental frustrations by dunking a local mayor.
How about taking in some good food, including corn-on-the-cob or smoked barbecue?
All of those and a whole lot more will be going on in Ontario Aug. 2 through Aug. 6 at the Malheur County Fairgrounds when the 2022 edition of the fair kicks off.
“Everyone should come to the fair just for the fun of it,” said Dawnita Haueter, Malheur County Fairgrounds manager.
The fair schedule is packed with events, entertainment and livestock showings.
Admission to the fair is $3 on Tuesday, Aug. 2, and $5 Wednesday through Saturday.
An Idaho Cowboys Association sanctioned rodeo will be held Friday and Saturday beginning each night at 8 p.m. The rodeo is free with fair admission.
Concerts will also be a big part of the 2022 fair schedule. Tuesday night, the Bellamy Brothers and the Saloonatics will perform at the fair beginning at 6 p.m. On Friday, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the bands Fuerza and Clave19 and Dosis La Potencia Musical will perform.
Wednesday, the Malheur County Fair Board roping event will kick off at 7:30 p.m. at the rodeo grounds.
Also Wednesday, local voters will get the chance all day to dunk their mayor. Mayors from Ontario, Vale and Nyssa will sit in the dunk tank and wait to get wet.
There will also be plenty of food vendors, said Haueter.
“Our food court is completely full,” said Haueter.
Vendors will see Sno-cones, cotton candy, fruit cups, corn-on-the-cob, smoked barbecues, tacos, burgers and fries along with soft drinks, water and lemonade.
Mal’s Diner will park its food truck at the fair and the Latin Lunchbox from Nyssa will also be on hand throughout the local event.
Juke Party Express will bring in a jump house – for those aged 10 and under – robo surf, a mechanical bull and a rock wall for individual entertainment.
A watermelon seed spitting contest, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Ontario, is slated Friday, at 5:30 p.m. at the loafing shed.
All through the firm’s five-day run there will be crafts, art, baked goods, quilting and wood working exhibits at the Red Barn while the commercial building will host vendors that run the gamut from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service.
“Whatever your pleasure, come on out,” said Haueter.
Last, but not least, there will be 4H and Future Farmers of America youth competitors showing an array of livestock.
This year will be Haueter’s first as fair manager and so far, she said it’s been busy but rewarding.
“It has been a fulfilling experience. A bit overwhelming but I couldn’t have asked for a better experience for my first year,” said Haueter.
Haueter said her biggest source of support has been the fair board.
“I have the most amazing fair board members beside me and they are working feverishly to make this a successful year,” said Haueter.
EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM – Available for $5 a month. Subscribe to the digital service of the Enterprise and get the very best in local journalism. We report with care, attention to accuracy, and an unwavering devotion to fairness. Get the kind of news you’ve been looking for – day in and day out from the Enterprise.