That’s Entertainment: From Robots To Rodeos
It’s not just OK to get down and dirty at the fair this year - it’s encouraged.
The fair kicks off on Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. with its first-ever “Party in the Dirt.” You can sit in the grandstand or kick up your heels amid the dust of the arena to the music of the Red Hot Mamas, followed by the popular Spokane band Men in the Making.
It’s the first of a series of grandstand entertainment running throughout the fair that ranges from monster trucks that turn into robots, to hot rodeo action, to a crash-bang demolition derby. All are free with fair admission.
Men in the Making specializes in flashbacks. Guitarist Chris Shay said the group stumbled on its flair for oldies by accident.
“When we started, we played a lot of frat parties. Bands like REM were hot then. But we learned on oldies, we had a ton of old ‘50s records. One night we started playing ‘50s tunes, and people started passing the bucket.”
The tips told the group they were onto something. As the band plays, expect “appearances” by the Who, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Beach Boys, Elvis, and more. A hula-hoop contest and a ‘50s car show will add to the mood.
Thursday’s grandstand event rolls in in a big way with Olie Anderson’s 4x4 daredevil show at 8 p.m. If you like motorcycle jumps, firewall crashes, stunt trucks and general demolition, this one’s for you.
Olie and his son Josh (now a 26-year-old aeronautical engineering student) built one of the world’s first monster trucks. When regular monster trucks became old hat, they built the world’s first monster truck that transforms into a robot.
At the show’s finale, the truck-become-robot literally walks away, firing lightning bolts that destroy a car. See this one to believe it.
Other grandstand events include the ever-popular rodeo, which runs Friday to Sunday; draft horse events on Friday and Saturday, and Sunday’s demolition derby, which brings the fair to a crashing finale.
But don’t overlook entertainment on the fairground’s various stages. Local favorites include the Coeur d’Alene Marimba Ensemble, the Dixieland Jazz Band featuring former Coeur d’Alene mayor Ray Stone, and 3-Chord Dave. Fair manager Barb Renner describes Dave as “local and loco, a legend in Coeur d’Alene.”
There are comedy magic tricks by Jerry Kayne and Jeff Martin, crowd-pleasing country and classic rock by Wyoming Thunder, and outrageous antics by the Gentlemen Jugglers.
The Gentlemen, John Webster and Robert Stuverud, began juggling together at age 11. It must have been addictive, because they’re still at it, dazzling audiences with stunts that incorporate unicycles, knives and torches. There’s even a comic ventriloquist at the fair this year, Steve Chaney and his partner Cornelius.
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