Great Northern Fair opens today in Havre

Fair season has rolled around again, with the midway at the Great Northern Fair and displays opening today, and Hill County 4-H'ers already active earlier this week in fair events.

Fair manager Tim Solomon said this morning that things are set to get the event going this year.

"It went good once it dried up enough for us," he said. "Things are looking good." The carnival and food stands opened at noon today, with the 4-H Chuckwagon building scheduled to open at 4 p.m. The carnival is scheduled to run through midnight each day through Saturday, closing at 11 p.m. Sunday at the end of this year's fair.

The grandstand entertainment also starts today, with the junior rodeo scheduled to start at 5 p.m. That continues through the week, with the Northern Rodeo Associationand Bear Paw Rodeo Associationsanct ioned profes s ional rodeo Thursday, starting at 7 p.m., and continuing through Friday night.

The entertainment cont inues Saturday with the local truck pull set to start at noon and the Pro-West Truck Pull starting at 7 pm.

The annual favor i te Jaycee Demolition Derby closes out the grandstand entertainment Sunday, starting at 5 p.m. Free stage entertainment is set to run at 4, 6 and 8 p.m. today through Saturday and at 2, 4 and 6 p.m. Sunday.

The free stage performance this year is by The Amazing Rainforest Experience.

"(It's) a pretty good exhibit," Solomon said, adding that some interesting displays featuring live animals are included and could be a popular attraction.

He added that the carnival, run by Royal West Amusements, has an unexpected attraction this year. The carnival brought a motorcycle display, featured on the midway, with riders traveling around inside a large metal framework and even on a highwire.

"It's a definite big benefit," Solomon said.

The 4-H activities began Tuesday with interviews and showmanship and judging of entries throughout the week. A highlight Thursday will be the crowning of the Hill County Teen and Queen at 1

p. m., and the events continue throughout the week, closing with the 4-H market livestock sale in the Bigger Better Barn at 1 p.m. Sunday.

The commercial building is scheduled to be open Thursday through Saturday noon through 9 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. The open class exhibit buildings will open today after judging is complete, and open noon to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The fair offers more than $8,000 in premiums to people entering exhibits.

The judging of the exhibits was set to be done today.

Hill County government works to provide safety at the fair, including the Hill County Search and Rescue Team working the fair to provide security and assistance on the fairgrounds. They will be wearing red or tan shirts with the search and rescue team logo and will have a station at the south end of the grounds.