PHOTOS AND TEXT BY DAVID WELTON
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
August 10, 2016
The 2016 Whidbey Island Fair is now a wrap and planning has already started for the 2017 event, with a call for volunteer staff, vendors and participants to share their skills, art and products.
On the eve of this occasion, voters of Island County approved a measure to transfer operation of the fairgrounds to the Port of South Whidbey, with a levy to provide funds for improvement and maintenance that will assure certainty for the future.
These photographs provide a peek into a four-day slice of Whidbey Life.
Matt Hoar at the head of the parade with his steam-punk blaster as Kelly Baugh looks on.
David Locke encourages a young listener to play the accordion, assuring him “believe me, it is a chick magnet.”
Lila Stach rejoices when she learns she won a Superintendent Ribbon for her photography.
Massive pony power was on display at the horse arena.
Cadence Smith naps on the side of her gentle pigs.
Anita Smith demonstrates a foot powered antique sewing machine. She vows to “save the treadle.”
Spinning takes dexterity and focus.
Duane Fulgham spins the political wheel of fortune at the Island County Democrat booth.
It is a good thing that Shelby Healy posed with a Hillary Clinton cutout the first day of the fair, as Hillary mysteriously took a walk that night and vanished.
Girl scouts marched in the parade.
Political viewpoints of all persuasions mingled freely.
Big bubbles, always a favorite!
A variety of foods and treats nourished the crowd, and curly fries were among the most popular.
Merry-go-round horses and woodpeckers are almost exciting as the real thing!
A robotic giant turkey delights the young at heart.
Keely Conners waited in line to have her face painted and is transformed as a fierce tiger.
Long John Silver the pirate rolls his “aarghs” at the main stage as a lowly entertainer looks on.
A rooster prepares to fly the coop as Matt Hoar looks on during the Chicken Olympics
Merchandise available on the midway included handcrafted Tibetan beads by Kalsang Ghongpa.
It’s hard to not be happy when surrounded by goats!
4H Knight Rider horses with purple ribbons braided into their tails parade in front of the Eva Mae Stage. “The End.”
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