Fair offers summertime entertainment for families

Key Peninsula hosts vendors, politicians and community at event

Ashley Coats

of the Gateway

The Key Peninsula Community Fair had something for everyone last weekend at Volunteer Park.

Kids visited the petting zoo or pulled a tractor; teenagers hopped on an amusement park ride or participated in “Teen Night;” adults and parents visited vendors and entered a wine judging competition.

“It seems like fairs bring families together,” vendor Betty Vaughn said.

The fair opened last Thursday with “Teen Night,” a free event that lasted from 6 to 10 p.m. and included karaoke, a pizza-eating contest and other games.

“Teen Night” has steadily grown in popularity: It drew about 400 participants in its third year, four times the attendance last July. Two years ago, only 40 teens took part in the inaugural event.

The fair opened to the public at 11 a.m. on Friday. The sun was out, and parents like Holly Cowden were busy slathering themselves and their children with sunscreen.

Cowden came with her mother and her three children, Samuel, Destiny and Devin.

“I like the big rides,” Devin Cowden said. “Some of them go really fast.”

Some of the rides that were offered included The Wind glider, The Super Slide, a Ferris wheel, and a merry go-round, as well as other common carnival rides.

“I like going on the rides and seeing all the animals,” said Kysta Shinker, who lives close to the fair and goes every day it’s open. “Most of the time, I walk (to the fair), but today my mom took us.”

Krysta spent time with her brother, Justin Shinker, at the petting zoo. There, Kaukiki Farm provided bags of wool that kids could dye using Kool-Aid.

“(Kids) love it,” said Janice Bryant, owner of Kaukiki Farm. “It’s all big fun.”

One of the biggest attractions was a 25-foot salmon structure that was on display in the middle of the fair.

“You can crawl inside it, and it has information about salmon migrations,” said Jeff Nelson, treasurer of the KP Fair. “Pretty cool, huh?”

Much smaller fish could be found at the Ol’ Time Fishin Hole that was put on by the Key Peninsula Sportsman’s Club.

There were more than 700 fish in the tank that kids or adults could attempt to catch. There were about 600 fish that were 6 to 8 inches, about 100 that were 8 to 10 inches, and the remainder were 3 pounds or heavier.

“They can keep them, or they can let them go,” said Randy Viers, who ran the fish pond. “It’s mainly kids (fishing). A lot of times, it’s the first time they have ever caught a fish in their life.”

Another first for many of the kids was driving a tractor, although they were pedal-powered and much smaller than the actual farming equipment.

Kids had competitions to see how far they could tow weight in the back of their tractor.

“The kids have the spotlight on them,” said Damien Horand, the master of ceremonies for the tractor pull. “It’s pure, raw, fun entertainment for kids.”

Children’s entertainment could also be found at the Children’s Home Society’s station. There were hula-hoops, a children’s pool and a sand pit. It was all free for kids and families to use.

“Our main attraction is all the stuff kids get to play with, and it’s all free,” said Megan Beck, a family support worker who was volunteering at the fair. “It’s good outreach for us.”

The Children’s Home Society was there to meet families and talk about opportunities that CHS offers.

“We’re here for two reasons: One, so kids can have fun, and so people know about our services,” said Jud Morris, programs manager for the Children’s Home Society. “We’re part of the community, and we want our presence here to reflect that.”

The Main Stage housed many entertainers throughout the weekend. There was the Valentine Performing Pigs, musical groups, a Middle Eastern Dance Troupe and a magician.

A clown walked around the fairgrounds making balloon animals, painting faces and telling stories.

The Key Peninsula Firefighters Association’s Dunk Tank was a main attraction for many visitors, as Division Chief Chuck West was one of the community members who was dunked.

The fair was full of entertainers of every kind, but one man came just to spread the medicine of laughter. Sandy Elken lost his wife, and now he’s using the KP Fair to dispense some of his “medicine.”

“There’s no side-effect but maybe a bellyache from laughing so hard,” Elken said. “Laughter is the best medicine. I’m looking for older people to tell my stories to.”

Other members of the community — and some visitors — manned the vendor booths that covered a large portion of the fair.

Some of the booths were politically driven, with candidates such as state Rep. hopeful Marlyn Jensen, who handed out fans to those who were baking in the summer sun.

Other booths sold goods.

“We mostly specialize in fossils, rocks and gems,” Betty Vaughn said.

Some vendors sold only food. Many of the food booths made their products from their own recipes, like caterer Dawn Chaussee, who made lemon swirls and lemon-flavored donuts.

“It’s my own recipe. I made it up this winter,” Chaussee said. “This is my first time at this fair.”

Other homemade recipes were entered into the Wine Judging Contest in order to “encourage the growth and hobby” of making wine.

There were 16 wines on display on Saturday morning, but judging coordinator Larry Wells said he was expecting more.

Last year, 31 bottles were entered.

“They are all judged according to their standards,” Wells said. “Good amateur wine makers can make as good of wine as you can buy.”

First- , second- and third-place awards were to be given out following a tasting session. Wells is part of the Puget Sound Amateur Wine and Beer Club.

“Washington State is one of the largest producers in wine,” Wells said. “(The wine entered in the contest is) from people on the peninsula, Tacoma and Federal Way.”

The Puyallup Fair is coming in September, but local fair lovers got their fix at this community carnival.