‘Summer’s Best Party,’ is back

o The Clark County Fair is scheduled for Aug. 7-16

o Opening day will begin with a free blueberry pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m., and free admission until noon. Coupons, available at area Fred Meyer stores, are required for free admission.

o Fair hours are 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. opening Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday

o The carnival portion of the fair opens at noon daily except on opening day, when it begins at 9 a.m.

o Admission is $11 for adults, $9 for seniors and $8 for children ages 7 to 12. Those 6 and younger are admitted free of charge. Pre-sale tickets are $9 for adults, $7 for seniors 62 and older, and $6 for children ages 7 to 12. For more information and fair promotions, visit www.clarkcofair.com.

o The Clark County Fairgrounds are located at 17402 N.E. Delfel Road, Ridgefield.

Revelers, get ready. Summer’s Best Party will kick off this Friday when the Clark County Fair opens at 8 a.m. It will run through Sunday, Aug. 16.

This year’s theme is “A Superhero Adventure,” and it includes a variety of animated and real-life heros. There will be a cityscape with interactive exhibits including laser tag in a walkthrough shooting gallery and the kids zone, which includes mask making and a puppet show. There will also be realistic movie set, animated characters that interact with the public and a museum. It displays the science behind some of today’s most popular superheroes.

“We will also focus on our ‘non-caped’ Clark County superheroes,” said Matthew Ferris, director of marketing. “We have a lot of really neat people.”

That ceremony will take place during “Prime of Your Life,” day, at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12. Senior citizen admission fees are also $2 less that day.

Entertainment that is back by popular demand includes the Sea Lion Splash. It is a traveling exhibit that features both California and South American sea lions, that perform handstands, balance balls, flip, dance, smile and teach recycling.

“We have expanded the show this year so that more people can see it,” Ferris said. “Last year it got pretty crowded.”

New this year is the Wild About Monkeys exhibit, the only traveling animal display that features baboons. Kevin Keith and his wife Martina, live and work with the animals, that are sometimes cast in movies.

“There will be a lot of humor and entertainment with this show,” noted Ferris.

Fairgoers who want to avoid parking fees and crowds are encouraged to take C-Tran, which is free this year to and from the fair, and consider attending during the weekdays.

“The lines for rides are much more reasonable during the weekdays,” Ferris said. “The way that pre-sale tickets are going, it looks like we might have record-breaking attendance for the third year in a row.”

The concert line-up at the 99.5 The Wolf Grandstands includes the band Kansas on Friday, John Kay & Steppenwolf Saturday, Montgomery Gentry on Sunday and The Guess Who on Monday. All shows begin at 7 p.m., and tickets are selling fast.

“I only have 12 seats left for Kansas and about 100 for John Kay & Steppenwolf,” Ferris said. “Tickets have sold fast.”

Returning favorites to the grandstands include Extreme Bull Riding & Mutton Bustin’, Freestyle Moto X, Demolition Derby, Tuff Trucks and Monster Trucks.

Staples at the fair every year include the midway rides and games, a variety of food vendors, animal barns and other exhibits.

For a full schedule of events and activities, visit www.clarkcountyfair.com.