Kitsap Fair turns 100

By Elisha Meyer Kitsap News Group • August 28, 2023 1:30 am

It had all the appearances of your typical county fair: barns packed with animals and their owners, ribbons galore and the best country tunes played from speakers and the main stage.

Such and more has become tradition at the Kitsap County Fair and Rodeo, where now 100 years of history remains preserved and waiting to be discovered by generations old and new.

Thousands made their way to the fairgrounds over the course of the five-day period, indulging in the deep-fried goodness of food stands, carnival rides and a plethora of musical performances.

It’s simply tradition for many who make the trip. “We come out as many years as we can, ever since we were little,” said Mallory Morrison with the Bremerton Dance Center. “We used to always perform at the fair, but we just haven’t done that in the past couple years.”

Pieces of history such as a 1930s restored US mail truck have continued to live on as the fair has since it originated in Port Orchard in 1923. Its move to Bremerton in the 1950s gave people by author Becky Bauer a chance to continue attending nearly every year.

“When I come in here to do bazaars and stuff, this pavilion is still an extremely nice place to sell things. It’s like home sometimes,” she said.

Not everyone is in love with the Kitsap Fair, with those against complaining about the reestablishment of admissions costs along with a growing lack, in their words, of local and community-driven business.

“It’s not near as populated, from what I’ve seen,” said Joe Gavasso with the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Bauer said she understands some of the complaints, adding “I’ve seen more (commercial) business, but when I’m out there and not seeing as many kids playing, that is what takes away from this.”

“I don’t mind that much,” Morrison responded. “Just speaking from a business standpoint, it makes sense.”

One change that has been taken well is the large return of poultry to this year’s fair. 2022 saw a nationwide outbreak of bird flu, leaving those such as Kitsap Bird Nerds’ Diana Costa in a difficult situation.

“We had all our entries submitted, and kids that did not have market birds suddenly could not bring any birds. It was pretty devastating, but we tried to make the best of it.”

This year made things much easier. “Both barns filled, no threat of disease this year, no COVID restrictions,” Costa said. “It’s really exciting, and people are just happy to be back.”

Close to 200 birds were brought to this year’s fair, including birds from 11-year-old Harrison. “I felt disappointed last year because I couldn’t bring my birds. I’m very happy this year.”

Ten-year-old Brody was quick to agree, saying it’s important to show others the relationship between birds and their handlers. “I have a love for chickens and hanging out with them. I hang out with a yellow chicken on the couch watching TV sometimes,” he said.