The centennial celebration may have come and gone, but organizers of the Kitsap Fair and Stampede hope to keep the good times rolling in 2024.

Cindy McKay finds herself taking the reins of the 101st annual fair, which will take place Aug. 21-25 at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds. Last year’s fair was headed by Rich Nestor, but this is far from McKay’s first rodeo. She began with the event as an administrative assistant in 1979, while the fair was still put on by the county. She continued with the fair for several years and returned once it shifted to a nonprofit model in 2020.

Now finding herself beginning what many hope to be the start of a second successful century of fairs, she shared just how much passion continues to go into the celebration.

“It would be impossible without the army of people that are out there doing it because they love it,” she said. “Maybe the faces have changed, but they have the same passion—the same everything for this fair.”

Much about the fair through time remains the same in McKay’s eyes: the livestock, the volunteers, the rodeo and the handful of vendors who have stood the test of time.

What continues to evolve is the exposure the agriculture community in Kitsap County receives, which she believes will be increased this year.

“They get themselves out there with farmers markets and such, but I was surprised when they started talking to me about how many more farms are out there,” she said. “They’re out there, but people don’t necessarily know they’re out there, and we’re gonna highlight them.”

McKay said a display will highlight the local farms, and members of 4H will show off their various skills.

Musical talent will be plentiful, including performances by Kitsap County’s own Sweet Justice, steel drum group Tropical Sensations and the headline country music group Midland, along with the always popular Heart to Heart, which features two members of the famous original group.

As for the Stampede, this year signals 75 years of rodeo, and the level of interest is not just limited to the bleachers. “They had to shut our entries down because they were so full,” McKay said. “We are packed this year, and we are really excited for it.”

It’s so many contestants that the rodeo is conducting The Rodeo Slack Aug. 22-23 starting at 9 a.m. for overflow entries. Admission to those segments is free, and spectators are expected to watch over 200 entries compete in the Slack alone.

Three days of rodeo are scheduled for Aug. 21-23, followed by Xtreme Bulls Aug. 24.

Parking costs $10 per day per vehicle. General admission to get into the fair will cost $12 for anyone older than 12; kids between ages of 6-12 will cost $5. Kids 5 and under get in free every day. There are some special deals, too. Kids up to 12 can get in free Aug. 24, and the same goes for seniors Aug. 25.

For more details go to kitsapfair.com.