2017 Great Northern Fair up and running

Wednesday was opening day of the Great Northern Fair, and many had reasons to be excited.

By noon, some vendors were still putting the finishing touches on their stands and tents, some fair-goers were already gnashing into pronto pups and french fries and, over in the Bigger Better Barn, the 4-H Horse Show was well underway.

But as the day wore on, the crowds got bigger, younger and more excited.

The two inflatable bouncy houses in the western corner of the grounds were overrun by hoards of rambling, rambunctious youngsters. One child, after finding out the Inflatable Fun Zone was free to enjoy, screamed, "Ahhh" and ran into the jungle-themed one, where his excitement blended in with all the others'.

Deb Latray of Havre was at the fair with her grandchildren. She, too, was excited about the addition of the Inflatable Fun Zone. If the children are disappointed, she said, she is disappointed. So any good, fun entertainment is an opportunity for the children to enjoy themselves, she said.

For Latray, she said, the fair is also an opportunity to visit with people she hasn't seen in a while and to take advantage of the cuisine.

"I just enjoy visiting people and eating the food," she said. "It's the camaraderie."

Her granddaughter, 10-year-old Zoe Stiffarm, said she comes to the fair for the rides - except for the Zipper. The Zipper, with its spinning and up-and-down fluctuation is "really scary," Zoe said. She didn't plan on riding the Zipper.

Kinzee Peterson and Caleb Allestad were working the Optimist Club concession stand, which faces eastward, giving them a panoramic view of the rides.

Peterson, who said she had been working since noon, said the stand had been fairly busy throughout the day, especially in the afternoon, with their signature pig on a pole being the major seller.

Allestad said he noticed the "better rides" and was excited about them.

The Junior Rodeo was underway and Kathryn Osborne of Havre, who has been coming to the fair for years, said this was her first time seeing the Junior Rodeo. She said she had come for her 4-year-old grandson, who was sitting next to her, adding that he wanted him to see the Junior Rodeo.

"I am amazed at how well the kids can handle their horses - and sheep," Osborne said.

Osborne said she will continue to come to the Junior Rodeo in the future.

Today, the fair continues with the Great Northern Open Rodeo starting at 7 p.m., which will be preceded by the Great Longhorn Stampede a half-hour before.