Great Northern Fair ready for the crowds

Bob Doney judges single flowers in the open class and school exhibits at the Community Center this morning at the Great Northern Fairgrounds. The Great Northern Fair begins today with the carnival and food stands opening at noon. The open class and school exhibits will be open for the public to view from noon to 9 p.m. today through Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

After days of final preparation, including some last-minute setup, the Great Northern Fair is ready for five days of summer entertainment.

This morning, only a few hours before the gates opened, Fair Manager and Havre Mayor Tim Solomon said that everything at the fairgrounds was looking good.

"We're ready, " Solomon said. "Just a few of the outdoor vendors were showing up this morning, but it's mostly set up. "

He said he and other employees of the fair were out last night until dusk making sure everything was ready for the fair to begin today.

The exhibits and food booths will be open today, and every day through Sunday, for twelve hours, from noon to midnight.

Aside from many of the fair's annual mainstays — the carnival, food booths and animals — Solomon said there is "a lot of new stuff up there, new booths, new exhibits.

"It's looking good, " Solomon said.