Fair feature articles and photos  “Welcome to the 92d annual Idaho County Fair. Our theme this year is, ‘You’ve Got a Friend at the Idaho County Fair.’ The Fair Board invites you to experience everything this year’s fair has to offer. All of the 4-H and FFA members have been hard at work on projects ranging from cooking and fashion to market animals and building projects. The open class building has a variety of entries including homegrown flowers, fruits and vegetables along with homemade quilts, afghans, pictures and other creations. There is something for everyone, including great food, interesting vendors and enjoyable entertainment. We are looking forward to seeing you as you make new friends and great memories at this year’s fair.” Idaho County Fair Board President 2026, Matt Beckman. Shown are the 2026 Fair Board — (Back, L-R) Andy Terhaar, Candice McHugh, Mary Uhlorn, Mary Charley and Matt Beckman; and (front, L-R) Tara Connolley, Alecia Hagen and Pam McIntire. Contributed photo.  The 2026 4-H Ambassadors are (not in order), Nadia Cash- Cottonwood; Annaleigh Cook – Elk City; Kendall Fogleman - Grangeville; Sophia Gallagher – Grangeville; Dylan Klapprich- Cottonwood; Sypress Martinez – Kooskia; Kane McIntire - Cottonwood; Henry Lustig - Cottonwood; Halee Rowland – Cottonwood and Bethany Stowell- Grangeville.
Sonnen-Brillon brings tradition, fun to annual contest By Lorie Palmer For Melinda
Sonnen-Brillon, the Idaho County Fair isn’t just an annual event — it’s
a lifelong tradition rooted in community, creativity and family.Idaho County Free Press A Cottonwood native, Sonnen-Brillon was named the Idaho County Fair Volunteer Spotlight for 2026 by the Idaho County Fair board, recognized for more than three decades of dedication to one of the fair’s most beloved traditions: the Pigtail Contest. Her connection to the fair began in childhood, when she entered artwork in open class exhibits and eagerly anticipated the yearly celebration. “Going to the fair every year was always something I looked forward to,” she said, recalling early involvement that helped shape her appreciation for community events. That connection deepened 31 years ago when she was asked to take over organizing the Annual Pigtail Contest. Though initially unsure of what the role would entail, she agreed — a decision that turned into a decades-long commitment. “I thought it sounded fun and decided to give it a try,” she said. “More than three decades later, it is still something I truly enjoy being a part of each year.” Throughout the years, Sonnen-Brillon has watched the contest evolve into a multi-generational tradition. One of her favorite aspects is seeing former participants return with their own children. “I now see moms who once competed in the contest as children bringing in their own kids,” she said. “It’s also special watching grandparents get to see their children and grandchildren continue the tradition together.” The contest welcomes a wide range of participants. While younger children compete in age-based categories, an open division invites teens and adults — including parents and grandparents — to join in the fun. “Anyone who wants to have fun and be part of a long-standing fair tradition should enter,” she said. Sonnen-Brillon said the creativity on display each year is one of the highlights of the event. Participants arrive with intricate braids, colorful ribbons and imaginative designs, filling the room with energy and excitement. “My favorite part is seeing all the creativity and excitement the participants bring,” she said. Though she didn’t often wear pigtails herself as a child — favoring a pixie-style haircut — Sonnen-Brillon has embraced the tradition in a different way, helping it grow and endure for future generations. She hopes the contest continues for years to come, not only as entertainment but as a meaningful way for families to connect. “I think it gives families a chance to create memories together and be part of something positive and fun,” she said. For Sonnen-Brillon, the Idaho County Fair represents more than ribbons and exhibits — it’s a reflection of small-town values and shared experiences. “It brings generations together, encourages creativity, and helps keep small-town traditions alive,” she said.  Melinda Sonnen-Brillon measure a young lady's pigtail at the 2025 Idaho County Fair. Fair Sale explanation
Buying an animal at the Idaho County Fair Sale is simple—you bid during the sale, and the highest bidder wins.Purchase Options Take Home Pay the full purchase price, then load and take the animal home after the sale. Butcher/Process Pay the full purchase price and choose a meat processor. After the sale, the animal is shipped to your selected processor. You’ll need to contact them to cut instructions and processing costs. (See the included flyer for local processors.) Turn the Animal If you don’t want to keep or process the animal, you can “turn” it back to the floor price buyer. You pay the difference between your bid and the floor price. Example: Bid: $2.00/lb Floor price: $0.50/lb Your cost: $1.50/lb The floor price buyer takes possession of the animal. Another way to provide support would be to do an Add-On. An add-on is a monetary contribution you can give to support a youth exhibitor, without bidding on or purchasing the animal. Add-ons are a great way to support youth who have invested time, effort, and expense into raising their animals—especially if you’re unable to purchase one. How to Make an Add-On Choose an Exhibitor(s) Decide which participant(s) you would like to support. Select an Amount Add-ons can be made in any dollar amount. Submit Your Add-On Complete an add-on form (available at the Extension and Fair offices) and submit payment. What Happens Next Your full add-on amount goes directly to the exhibitor. You do not take ownership of the animal. For more information contact Jean Spencer, Idaho County Market Animal Sale Committee Clerk: IDCOFairlivestocksale@gmail.com 286 market animals this year There are 286 Market animals that will be entered into this year’s Idaho County Fair, which is 3 more than last year. There will be 42 steers, 66 sheep, 19 goats and 159 swine. There will also be the usual dogs, poultry, rabbits, dairy cattle and breeding animals in the fitting and showing and quality categories this year. The Market Livestock Sale will be held Saturday, August 22 starting at 1 p.m. Sale order will be Swine, Steers, Goats and Sheep. Preserving history and supporting community at the Idaho County Fair By: Carla Wilkins,
We know how important it is for the museum to support
community events. Our involvement in the annual Idaho County Fair
reflects our commitment not only to preserving local history, but also
to sharing it in vibrant, engaging ways with neighbors of all ages. We
look for unique ways to contribute to the festivities.
Museum Director This year, we focused on revitalizing two exhibit booths in the Farm Museum, located next to the open class building. We cleaned, rearranged the period furniture, and designed fresh exhibit cards to showcase an early 20th-century kitchen and parlor. One of the fun stories from the exhibit concerns a refrigerator purchased by Fred and Lefa Williams from the Lewiston Sears store in 1942. Because of wartime production issues, it was the only floor model so Sears would not allow them to take it home. Although the Williams had paid for it, the refrigerator stayed in the store for FOUR MORE YEARS! Although the refrigerator still worked 76 years later, the door seal failed which was not surprising after its long life on the display floor. For many years, these two booths were faithfully sponsored and cared for by the Sunshine Club. Though the club no longer exists, updating these spaces allows us to steward their legacy and ensure these snapshots of domestic life continue to educate and inspire visitors. Our fair participation has taken many forms from year to year. Last year, the Museum joined the lively energy of the fair parade. Craig Hood pulled a small replica stagecoach filled with his grandchildren who dressed for their roles. Watching the next generation bring local history to life along the parade route was a highlight for us. In 2023, we brought history to the stage with a living history presentation. Taylor Wilkins portrayed Sister Herman Joseph Mager during the fair’s Two-Minute Talent Show. Through this brief performance, fairgoers heard Sister Herman Joseph’s remarkable life story—from boarding with the sisters as a three-year-old when her mother contracted tuberculosis, to dedicating the later chapter of her life of wearing colorful tennis shoes and pulling a wagon to collect extra produce to distribute to the sick and shut-ins. That story is available to view on YouTube. Whether through historic restoration, parade floats, or theatrical storytelling, participating in the Idaho County Fair allows us to highlight the history of Idaho County and support a Cottonwood tradition. We hope you will be able to take some time to see our booths at the Farm Museum. Enjoy the fair!  The St. Gertrude's Museum stagecoach was in last year's parade/  Taylor Wilkins portrayed Sr. Herman Joseph Mager during the 2-Minute Talent Show in 2023. Expanded sheep/goat barn will have 75 pens By Lorie Palmer
Growing pains aren’t baaaaaaad news: This is good news!
Idaho County Free Press Idaho County 4-H’ers and FFA members and their projects have increased throughout the years, and the Idaho County Fair board has answered the call to help house the new livestock projects. “There has been an increase in the number, including sheep and goats, and we do not have sufficient space to house them all for the fair at this time,” explained fair board president Matt Beckman. To that end, a new 20’ x 72’ barn addition is being added along the entire west side of the existing Enid Newman Sheep Barn, Beckman said. He explained the board has been working on building plans and costs. “On past projects, we have received generous donations from suppliers and volunteers,” he said. “The project will be completed using existing fair board funds. However, should anybody want to donate to this project, that would be appreciated.” Fairgrounds maintenance supervisor Rusty Lorentz, a general contractor, is completing the project, and it will be ready for this year’s fair. “This will help alleviate overcrowding of animals during the fair,” Beckman stated. “Since it will be completed for the 2026 fair, it solves the problem for this year’s fair, as well as giving us increased capacity for the future.” He said the building will expand into a previously unused space of the fairgrounds. The addition will have lights and power outlets available. but no water in the pens (as in the existing structure). The new barn will have 36 pens that can be used to hold one to two sheep or goats each, depending on the individual situation. |
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