The gates are open for five days chock full of fried food, festivities, music and rodeos for the historic 100th anniversary of the Kitsap Fair and Rodeo.

The fair first originated in Port Orchard in 1923 and has been held at the current fairgrounds in Bremerton since 1958. Surviving everything from the Great Depression in its early years to recent difficulties with the COVID pandemic, it continues and is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors.

Events began the morning of Aug 23 and will run through Aug. 27. There is so much to do in the early days of the fair, with animals and various 4-H entries ready for the public’s eye. Various vendors have activities open for all ages, the carnival makes its return and a number of local artists will take the stage, not to mention all the food and drink options along the way.

As in years past, those driving to the grounds will need to bring $10 cash to park in the public lots in addition to the reestablished admission cost. General admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids and seniors, though specialty events like the rodeo, X-treme bulls and highly anticipated Trace Adkins concert cost extra. Further price details are located on the fair’s website.

The party is on in this Lego model of Thunderbird Arena.

Prizes are being awarded to some very impressive garden foods.