PIGS REALLY FLEW AT THE 2009 TILLAMOOK COUNTY FAIR

The 2009 TILLAMOOK COUNTY FAIR closed on August 8th as the most successful Tillamook County Fair in history. Even a few brief showers on Thursday evening and Friday morning couldn’t stop fairgoers from attending the fair and helping to set attendance records. Saturday’s attendance of 25,583 fairgoers and total attendance of 73,333 fairgoers for the four days were both records.

The theme for the 2009 Tillamook County Fair was “WHERE PIGS FLY”. The Fair Board chose this theme because the Tillamook County Pig-N-Ford Association celebrated the 85th Anniversary of performing their World Famous Pig-N-Ford Races during the fair. Fairgoers were treated to six preliminary races during the fair and then the World Championship Finals on Saturday night. The grandstand and bleachers were filled to capacity for these races. Fairgoers found out that the Tillamook County Fair really was a place “WHERE PIGS FLY”. The Fair Board feels very fortunate to have these races take place during the fair.

The Tillamook County Fair is said by many to be one of the best County Fairs in the state, if not the nation because it is so unique and offers so much for fairgoers to enjoy for free once they have paid their admission to enter the fair. This included free grandstand shows featuring country artists Phil Vassar and Clay Walker, Rock and Roll legends The Guess Who and a Demolition Derby, daily courtyard entertainment from 10 am to 7:30 pm, demonstrations by Brad’s World Reptiles, Pig-N-Ford Races, live Pari-Mutuel Horse Racing, Hypnotist Tammy Barton and walk-around acts Washboard Willy and Lanky the Clown. Balloon artists, Dr. Fun and Dr Good performed their balloon artistry Noon to 4:00 pm daily. Fairgoers saw the largest county fair dairy show in the state, 4-H/FFA youth demonstrating their animals and projects and Open Class exhibits displaying the many talents of our Tillamook County residents. This year’s fair was truly a success.

Tillamook County residents and landowners really supported the fair by entering 4,021 exhibits in the Open Class Departments with Photography, Floral, Crafts & Hobbies and Land Products leading the way. Open Class exhibits were up 12%. 4-H/FFA programs continue to be a very big part of the fair and have such a presence in Tillamook County because of an outstanding Extension Service Staff, excellent FFA advisors and countless 4-H/FFA leaders. 4-H/FFA exhibits were up 4%. The Market Animal Sale reported $61,539.65 in sales. A total of eighty-three animals were sold. Special thanks need to go to the Junior Livestock Auction Committee for their hard work all year long to make the Market Animal Sale what it is today.

The 2009 Open Dairy Show had another quality show although the numbers of dairy animals was down significantly due to economic reasons. The Sue Durrer and Youth Dairy Barns had 206 dairy animals which is still more than any other County Fair in Oregon. Both out of state judges remarked that the quality of the animals was like a National Show.

Haworth Family Shows provided the carnival again this year. Gross carnival sales of $168,754.00. was down 2% from last year, but that’s because advance sales of the "All You Can Ride" carnival coupons was up 6% with record sales of $90,400.00. While the advance sales cut into the carnival’s gross, they also provide guaranteed income in case it rains during the fair. Haworth Family Shows runs a clean family oriented carnival with rides that appeal to both young and old alike.

Pari-Mutuel Horse Racing was allowed to run all four days of the fair this year. The total handle of $149,584.00 was the highest ever in the history of the Tillamook County Fair and could have been even higher had it not been for eight horses being scratched from running due to various reasons. Thanks need to go to the Oregon Racing Commission for providing additional purse money this year and continuing their bonus to the jockey’s. Thanks also to the Averill, Jenck, Williams, Gienger, Riggert, Peterson, Braden, Warren and Hubert families, Hudson Insurance, Bob Weitman, Senator Betsy Johnson, Oregon Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association and Oregon Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association for providing additional purse money for feature races each day. Total purse money was up 36% to $97,050.00

Entertainment at the 2009 Tillamook County Fair offered something for everyone. As already mentioned, the very popular Pig-N-Ford Races celebrated their 85th year. Ben Salo won the World Championship for the second time in three years and the bragging rights for the next year. Courtyard entertainment was available from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm each day and included many local groups and paid entertainers. Brad’s WORLD REPTILES demonstrations proved to be very popular again on the courtyard stage. The Fair Board replaced their Talent Show with female hypnotist, Tammy Barton this year and she was well received. Washboard Willy and Lanky the Clown provided both Courtyard and Walk-Around Entertainment and attracted large crowds. Balloon Artists Dr. Fun and Dr. Good provided hundreds of balloon creations for fairgoers to enjoy. The free grandstand shows were very popular this year because of the big name national talent that performed. Country artist Phil Vassar performed on Wednesday evening. He gave fairgoers a terrific performance and filled the grandstand to capacity. Country artist Clay Walker followed on Thursday and also filled the grandstand to capacity. Rock and Roll legends The Guess Who performed on Friday and delighted fairgoers with many of their old time hits. Their concert not only filled the grandstand, but also the track in front of the stage. The Demolition Derby on Saturday again surpassed all expectations with so many people attending, that even with using the grandstand and the new bleachers, there still wasn’t enough room. Fairgoers are still amazed that these grandstand shows continue to be free with their price of admission.

The Fair Board extends their gratitude to everyone involved with this year's fair. A very big thank you goes out to everyone who helped, supported or participated in making the 2009 Tillamook County Fair a successful fair. The amount of community support and volunteerism was again unbelievable this year. The Tillamook County Fair couldn’t be a place "WHERE PIGS FLY" without this support.