Sounds more than fair
Chandler Davis of the Newport Community Drum Circle
Watch pros perching on bucking broncos, saddle up and take a ride on the back of a camel or even view the world from atop a monster truck when the Lincoln County Fair rides again, Friday, July 2 through Sunday, July 4, with plenty of entertainment at the low, low price of absolutely free.
The fair kicks off on Friday with the theme of the day, “Celebrating Seniors.” Bingo will be played in the Main Exhibit Hall all day while kids can enjoy free monster truck rides in the arena. Free camel rides will be available all weekend in front of the 4-H Animal Barn. After the last bingo ball falls at 4 pm, head to the Main Stage for the new three-hour "Fiesta Latina" event with music from Mariachi Guadalajara, food and dancing.
Saturday will feature the 4-H Market Auction and the opening rounds of the NPRA Pro Rodeo. Immediately following the rodeo event, the arena will be the place for dancin' in the dirt with Smokewagon.
On Sunday, the NPRA Pro Rodeo will wrap up as the riders compete in the finals.
There will also be plenty to see, do and eat all three days of the fair, with vendors of information, goods and a wide variety of cuisine options.
This year, the full schedule of diverse live music acts on the Main Stage is made up entirely of Lincoln County-based acts and features the return of the Newport/Oregon Coast Community Drum Circle's popular and eclectic "World Music Extravaganza" stage show, a staple of the fair's musical lineup for more than a decade. This year's show again features an expanded configuration of Newport's Thunder & Lightness World Beat Ensemble, with Osage Nation tribal member Terry Filer on the Native American flutes, world beat percussionist Chandler Davis, and special guest West African master drummer Abdoulaye Thioub.
The group's song format includes African, Latin American, Middle Eastern and many other traditional genres played on authentic wooden hand drums, log drums and wooden flutes. This year's ensemble also includes percussionist Sandra Surber and well-known local drummers Skip Floraday and Rodney Turner.
Other popular musical performers on the roster include the June Rushing Band, jazz guitarist Greg Ernst, Past Forward, Saundra Perrin, Guilty Tendencies and the Steve Cook/Chris Colt Duo.
The fair opens each day at 10 am at the Lincoln County Commons, 633 NE 3rd Street, Newport. For more information, go to www.thelincolncountyfair.com.
Music schedule
Friday, July 2
10 am: Sitka
Noon: Wallace/Epps
1 pm: Thunder and Lightness
3 pm: Saundra Perrin and Going Grey
7 pm: Guilty Tendencies
Saturday, July 3
10 am: Levine. Hobbs & Turner
Noon: Past Forward
2 pm: Bruce Moore
3 pm: Greg Ernst with Ron Green
5 pm: Six Eyes High
7 pm: June Rushing and Friends
8 pm: Dancin' in the Dirt with Smokewagon in the Rodeo Arena
Sunday, July 4
10 am: Jill Ledet
11 am: Eric Levine
1 pm: Cook/Colt Duo
3 pm: Unplugged
Dolphin drop
Up to 5,000 numbered rubber dolphins will be dropped from a helicopter into the Lincoln County Commons arena on Monday, July 5. The dolphins that land closest to and farthest from the target win prizes, including the grand prize of $1,000 cash.
The big drop, a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Newport, will happen at 4 pm and, though it is probably going to be quite a sight to see, you do not need to be present to win.
For more information, including the list of places to “adopt” a dolphin or purchase chances online, go to NewportSeasThe Day.com.