Thousands of people showed up to get the Best 10 Days of Summer started on opening day of the Clark County Fair in Ridgefield

Paul Valencia
Clark County Today

It is opening day at the Clark County Fair.

Let’s take a tour with a reporter from Clark County Today. 

First stop: The Food Court, at 9:45 a.m. The folks working here get here early to prepare for a long, long day. The fair might open at 10 a.m., but the work starts much earlier.

And for the next 10 days, it’s chaos. But chaos in a great way.

“I have been to many events for many years. This is the only one I love,” said Nga Jones, 76, who has been running food operations for 50 years at the fair. “This, I feel like, is a part of me. It’s family. It just feels at home to me.”

Jones used to own the Noodle Palace, but this year she is running a brand new booth in the court – The Sweet Spot. She is opening it, with the plan for her grandson Jaxson to manage it in the years to come.

The Sweet Spot has cookies, cinnamon rolls, soft ice cream, strawberry shortcake, fruit cups, and more. 

Why did Nga Jones pick this theme, these products?

“No. 1, a lot of people like sweets, and there are not many sweets at the food court,” Jones said. “No 2, I loooooove sweets.”

The Sweet Spot is in the location previously run by the Shriners. Jones said she will donate a percentage of her profits to the Shriners. 

At 10 a.m., we headed to the featured exhibit of this year’s Clark County Fair, just as the fair officially opened. 

For those who were here last year, it will look familiar. A different theme, but similar activities. This year it’s Ice Age Adventures, with some education and a lot of fun for families. 

There is a nearly 100-feet long bouncy obstacle course with a big slide. There is a 8-foot tall woolly mammoth. And scooter rides. Oh, and back from last year, dinosaur rides. Those are for the youngsters. 

By 10:20 a.m., there was already a big line for the big obstacle course.

There is also a fossil dig, and miniature golf with a volcano theme. And there are live, educational shows a few times each day.

By 10:30 a.m., there was already a decent line outside the Clark County Dairy Women barn – possibly the greatest milkshakes on earth, certainly in Clark County, right?

From the barn to the … well another barn. To see the cows.

Grace Shirley of Ridgefield was showing Jessie, her 1-year-old Jersey cow.

“I’ve been doing this all 18 years of my life,” Shirley said. “Every single year. Goats. Pigs. Sheep. All sorts of animals. Now I’m showing cows.”

The Clark County Fair brings out the best, she said.

“Being able to make people smile is special,” Shirley said. “And I’ve met some great faces here.”

As we got closer to 11 a.m., we took a walk down the midway and spotted a new exhibit this year: Rescue a Baby Dragon. We will have more on that adventure during the fair’s 10-day run.

There will be pig races a few times a day on the midway, too.

The Pirate’s Parrots live bird show is back again, close to the same area as the pirate usually sets up his ship.

Once again, the Fort Vancouver Antique Equipment Association has its antiques on display. Plus a working blacksmith is on hand, to show off skills and teach fairgoers about blacksmith heritage.

“You see a lot of older guys who go, ‘Oh yeah, I remember my grandpa doing this when I was a kid,’” said Don Kemper, who has been running the blacksmith spot at the fair with his family for more than 40 years. “And I say, ‘Yeah, and now we’re the grandpas.’”

By 11:15, it was time to pay a visit to Curly the Camel. Curly is as popular as ever. A good crowd wanted to say hi.

Next up was a visit with the honeybees.

Then sheep. Goats. Rabbits. More cows. More, more, more animals.

At 11:45, it was a chance to walk in some AC in the exhibition halls. On one end are all the arts, crafts, and prize winners for the fair. The best in floral, photography, hobbies, sewing, clothing, and more.

On the other end, pretty much the mall of the Clark County Fair. Kiosks and booths, and a sale and a deal everywhere you look. Or maybe not a deal. Guess it all depends on one’s perspective. But plenty to browse as vendor after vendor tries to grab your attention.

At noon, it was liftoff. Time for the rides. Here’s a reminder that the carnival rides, by Butler Amusement, open at noon every day. 

There were hundreds of people in line for the more than 30 attractions in the carnival area, just ready to feel the adrenaline rush.

And finally, we took a look at Dogtown. For whatever reason, it is always fun to watch dogs dive into a pool of water. 

This was just the first three hours of the 10-day run of the Clark County Fair.

It is being called the best 10 days of summer, and it had an incredibly fun start.