The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON – The Columbia County Fair is less than a month away, and this year's Fair Board has been hard at work all year planning the many activities for this year's fair: Some traditional and some brand new.

The Columbia County Fair runs from Sept. 9 – 11 this year, will feature a new headliner Friday night – a performance by the Wenatchee Youth Circus. The circus starts at 7 p.m. and is sponsored by Columbia REA.

The Rascal Rodeo, always a crowd favorite, takes place Saturday morning from 9:30 – 11:30. Saturday night will again feature Mutton Bustin' at 5:30 p.m., and then the Jackpot Rodeo, beginning at 6.

The annual demolition derby at the fair starts at noon Sunday.

Many fair favorites return this year, including livestock showing and judging, KidZone, live entertainment on the midway, Horse Show, Church in the Chicken Chapel, and the Ice Cream Social.

The Fair Board has also announced changes to the gate admission prices this year. Fair guests will now pay one price to enter the grounds and will have access to all events happening that day with no further tickets to purchase:

2016 General Gate Admission Prices

Single-day Pass:

~ Adult (13-59 years) - $10

~Senior Citizens (60+ years) - $4

~Juniors (7-12 years) - $5

~Children 6 years and under - FREE

Three-Day All-Event Pass:

~Adult (13-59 years) - $22

~Seniors (60+ years) - $10

~Juniors (7-12 years) - $10

~Children 6 years and under - FREE

4-H and FFA member passes are available through the County Extension Office.