Visit the Eastern Idaho State Fair in Blackfoot, Idaho
The origin of the Eastern Idaho State Fair goes back to 1902 when some cattleman who were interested in running a livestock show. They bought land and the original fair was begun. It ran until 1918 when they ran out of money to support it. They discontinued the festival at that time. Then in 1920 county leaders, on the urging of the Farm Bureau, bought the land the original festival (fair) had been on and reopened the fair. At that time it was called the Eastern Idaho Fair District. The first event was held on September 1, 1925. In March of 1939, it was learned that the Utah State Fair had changed its dates to run concurrently with the Blackfoot event. The Blackfoot board refused to change its dates and challenged the Utah fair for livestock and entertainment. With them being in the same area and trying to get the same people to display at both fairs was not a pleasant experience for either. During all this the Blackfoot festival took the name Eastern Idaho State Fair and the name has remained and it became a state fair.
The fair was shut down in 1942 to help with the war effort. The fair reopened in 1944 and have been held continuously ever since. On September 22, 1944, less than one week after the sights and sounds of the festival had dissipated from the area, the Blackfoot labor committee announced that 500 Italian prisoners of war would call the fairgrounds home during the “acute harvest labor crisis in the country.” Four day later the armies set up headquarters in the east office building to guard and manage the prisoners who dug sugar beets and potatoes during their stay in southeast Idaho. For over a month the prisoners of war proved that the war affected people in Idaho as well as other countries.
One of the most attended events at the fair is the Indian Relay Race. The race was canceled for awhile when the new pari-mutuel racing commission and the Fair Board canceled the Indian Relay races. This decision immediately spawned criticism from individuals who called the competition “the most popular part of the racing program.” The racing commission fine-tuned its schedule and the Indian Relay race returned in 1965. The danger in this race brings droves of people to the grandstand during the days that the races are held.
The fair is focused primarily on agricultural items, livestock and of course the flowers, baking, canning, needlecraft, antiques, fine arts, hobbies & craft, photography, Native American, FFA and 4-H exhibits and competitions are critical too.
This is an 8 day event for the people of Eastern Idaho and the surrounding areas to enjoy. The celebration begins with the parade in Blackfoot. Come to Blackfoot and enjoy the floats, bands and candy being tossed out during the parade.
While at the fair you may want to spend time in the grandstands enjoying the horserace’s which go on daily until about 4 pm. Here you can see the Indian relays where there are three horses for each team as they take three laps around the track. Each team has to use three different horses in the relay so the riders are jumping off the horse while it is slowing down to run and mount the next one to continue the race. Injuries are not uncommon during this since dismounting a moving horse and running to the next is filled with risk.
The evening events are standard to the area. There are events including motocross, bull riding, rodeo, tractor pulls, concerts and the famous demolition derby. The only things that really change are the concerts.
For more information on the fair and the dates for this year’s events contact: Phone: 208.785.2480
F: 208.785.2483
Eastern Idaho State Fair
97 Park Street
Blackfoot, Idaho
Office Hours
Monday through Friday 8:30a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Open year round.
Fair Hours – September 4 – 11, 2010
Gates open at 8:00 a.m.
Buildings open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Admission
Adults (age 12 and up): $6.00
Children (age 6 through 11): $2.00
Children 5 and under get in free
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