Music-making and NASCAR are the themes of two new attractions at this weekend’s vernal version of the Puyallup Fair.
Rock U: The Institute of Rock ’N’ Roll allows would-be rock stars to try their hand at a variety of instruments: electric guitars, drums and different sounds that are popular in music today. There’s even a foot-operated oversized keyboard. Think Tom Hanks in “Big.”
“It’s for all ages. It should be interesting, even for teenagers,” said Karen LaFlamme, the fair’s public relations counsel.
There will be no lack of car-themed events at the Spring Fair. New is the NASCAR Experience inside of Auto Alley. A simulator, built in a NASCAR race car, will allow you to test your skills against other drivers. There’s a simulator for kids as well.
“It’s like going 190 mph and having the same experience as a race car driver,” LaFlamme said.
In the crunching-metal-and-busting-glass category, there’s the SlamFest Truck Demo Derby at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and the Big Car Demo Derby on Sunday afternoon. Today features a Monster Truck Show at 7:30 p.m. The shows cost extra ($16/$18 adults and $9 for children), but advance purchase of truck show tickets includes admission to the fair. Back this year is the popular monster fire truck, The Extinguisher, which you can ride for an additional $7.
Whether you call them loggers or lumberjacks, there will be plenty of deep woods action in the Timberworks Lumberjack Show. There are competitions in ax throwing, chopping, log rolling (on water), chainsaw carving and more.
It wouldn’t be a fair without barnloads of kids cleaning, feeding and grooming the animals they’ve raised from little blobs of fur. And there will be plenty of newborn animals for oohing and ahhing: piglets, lambs, chicks and ducklings.
Young people also will compete in the Northwest Junior Rodeo. Bareback riding, bull riding and barrel racing will be on the program daily.
The horse theme carries over into Fiesta Mexicana, which features food, music, dancing horses and dancing people. Numerous shows are held daily.
Animal-themed shows include those water-loving canines, DockDogs, and the Swifty Swine Racing Pigs whose name explains it all. Wee-size show animals include pygmy goats and miniature horses.
Midway rides, jam-filled scones and onion burgers round out the highlights. See a full schedule of entertainment and exhibits on the fair’s website.
Active, reserve or retired military folks should hit the gates today to get free admission with ID as part of Military Appreciation Day.
Craig Sailor craig.sailor@thenewstribune.com 253-597-8541
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