The team behind the North Idaho State Fair works to create uniquely fun experiences each year By Taylor Shillam
“This year marks my 10th anniversary at the North Idaho State Fair, and I can honestly say the magic never fades,” says Alexcia Jordan, general manager at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.
“We are fortunate to have an incredible board and fantastic team whose collaboration and creativity are the driving forces behind each fair. Every year, we come together to reflect on past successes and brainstorm new ways to enhance the fair experience for everyone involved.”
This year's fair will take place August 16 through 25. Alexcia says what she looks forward to most this year is seeing her team’s vision come to life.
“There's nothing quite like watching attendees enjoy the array of attractions and events we've passionately organized,” she says. “It’s in these moments that I truly appreciate the hard work and dedication of our team.”
She says this year’s theme, “Fun Galore in 2024,” promises exactly that — an abundance of fun at every turn. “I can’t wait to see the smiles, hear the laughter and share in the delight as everyone discovers what we have in store!"
Alexcia looks forward to this year’s “incredible lineup” of entertainment for the fair, including Western National Pulling Series, a tractor and truck pull that is new and never before seen at the North Idaho State Fair.
“For grounds attractions, we are bringing the Extreme Dog Show and Sara Twister, who can shoot a bow and arrow with incredible accuracy with her feet,” she says. “Organizing the Party in the Dirt Concert Series is always an exhilarating challenge, as we aim to keep the lineup fresh and exciting each year. For years, we've featured just one act per night, but this year, we're shaking things up by having two acts co-headline each evening."
This year’s Party in the Dirt Concert Series on August 19 and 20 features artists Ernest, Nate Smith, Sugar Ray, and Smash Mouth.
Alexcia says securing artists for the concert series is a comprehensive process, typically spanning four to six months. "It begins with identifying potential artists that align with the musical tastes and expectations of our audience," she says. "From there, we engage in negotiations, often extending multiple offers to different acts before finalizing our lineup. This part of the process can be quite intricate, involving discussions about schedules, fees, and technical requirements."
The negotiation phase is time-consuming and requires persistence and flexibility; "however, the effort is incredibly rewarding when we see the community's enthusiastic response to our announcements," Alexcia says. "Both nights promise to be memorable, offering something for everyone."
Planning the fair is a process that begins more than a year in advance, "starting with selecting a theme — which is always the fun part," Alexcia says. "We assess the previous year's outcomes to identify areas for improvement. Planning involves extensive collaboration across various segments including livestock programs, exhibits, admissions, concessions, carnival attractions, entertainment, security and parking."
Alexia says each team member plays a crucial role in planning the fair, extending their reach into the community, to engage with vendors, sponsors and local leaders, and continue expanding on the fair's offerings.
"Overcoming challenges like scheduling conflicts or weather-related issues requires creativity and resilience from our team," Alexcia says. "Ultimately, our goal is to orchestrate a fair that not only entertains but also educates and brings the community together, contributing significantly to our local economy."
Alexcia says many people may not know that the fair and its array of events hosted year-round are completely self-sustaining.
"This achievement is made possible through the dedication and enthusiasm of everyone who attends, volunteers, and sponsors our activities," she says. "Although we are located on county property, we operate independently and are not county employees. We take immense pride in the fact that we do not use taxpayer dollars to bring these experiences to life. This means every ticket purchased, every hour volunteered and every sponsorship directly contributes to creating this incredible event for our community."
The community is invited to continue enjoying and supporting the North Idaho State Fair this August, support that is "vital for sustaining the tradition and success of our fair," Alexcia says. "Come be a part of this community celebration that we all build together!"
Learn more about the North Idaho State Fair at NISFair.fun.
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