Whether the aroma of funnel cakes, the taste of ice cream ‘moo-wiches’ or the thrills of carnival rides, the 2024 Northwest Washington Fair offered something for just about everyone during its Aug. 8–17 run.
Held each August at Lynden’s Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center, the Northwest Washington Fair has remained a harbinger of summer’s final act since 1946, when the event resumed after World War II and prior decades as a fall fair.
In 2021, the fair expanded from seven days to 10, providing even more opportunities for residents and visitors to experience concerts, demolition derbies, rodeos, exhibits, animal displays, food and more. It’s an event that both young and old enjoy, in equal but often different measure.
For 15-year-old Lynden Christian High School student Sloane Hansen, carnival rides like the Zipper are a highlight. For her friend and fellow student, 15-year-old Ellie Pierce, it’s eating Lynden-centric foods like poffertjes (Dutch mini-pancakes).
“I like just seeing everybody after the summer,” Pierce said. “You get to meet up with your friends, go on rides and just have a great time.”
Teddi Anshus, a 51-year-old Bellingham resident, has been coming to the fair longer than Hansen and Pierce have been alive — 17 years, in fact.
“The animals are my favorite,” Anshus said. “And I love seeing all of the quilts and the artwork from the kids. I used to be in 4-H when I was a kid, so I love seeing all the kids doing the 4-H shows.”
This year’s grandstand entertainment featured the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rodeo, Mexican ensemble Banda los Recoditos and rock legends Ace Frehley and Steven Adler. The action concluded Aug. 17 with a sold-out show by hip-hop star Ludacris.
The fairgrounds will also host an end-of-summer Antique Rockin’ Rods Classic Car Show on Sept. 14.
For students like Hansen and Pierce, the fair also marks the beginning of the end of their summer vacations: the Lynden Christian School District (as do other districts) resumes instruction on or around Aug. 27.
“[It’s] the last hurrah,” Hansen said.
Here are some of Matt Benoit’s photos from a good ol’ day at the fair:
