Evergreen State Fair: loads of food, games and rides

If you're 100 years old or more, the Evergreen State Fair needs you! To celebrate its 100th anniversary this year, the fair wants to set the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of centenarians Monday. It won't cost you a thing — everyone age 90 and older gets into the fair free every day (this Monday is free for everyone age 62 and older).

No matter what your age, the fair's "Contest-A-Day" program provides plenty of chances to set your own record at competitions including bubble-gum blowing, egg toss, hula-hoop races, pie eating and on Aug. 29, a 1980s hairdo contest with prizes for biggest, most colorful, most patriotic and best of show 'dos. Everyone gets a chance to set a Guinness record at the all-ages attempt at the largest hokeypokey Aug. 31.

Carnival rides are always a favorite. If the Wacky Worm, Jump Around or Splash N Crash are your style, head for the kiddie and family rides on the west side of the grounds. Daredevils check out the east side of the fairgrounds for the Zipper, Ring of Fire, Super Shot Drop Tower, Zillerator Coaster and other thrill rides.

Other fair favorites include the 4-H cattle, goats, sheep, poultry, pigs, rabbits, horses, dogs and cats, and needle arts, flowers, photography, crafts and hobbies displays.

Monroe celebrates the fair with the Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder, floats, bands and more on Saturday. Concerts at the fair include Jars of Clay with Leeland, Weird Al Yankovic and Creedence Clearwater Revisited. The fair continues daily through Labor Day, Sept. 1.

The details

Time: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Aug. 28, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Aug. 29-31, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 1. Monster truck show and fireworks, 7 p.m. Friday; rodeo Aug. 29-Sept. 1.

Monroe Fair Days Parade: 11 a.m. Saturday on Main Street from 179th Street to Blakeley Street, Monroe.

Cost: $9/adults, $7/ages 62-89, $5/ages 6-15, free for ages 90 and older and ages 5 and younger. Free to kids ages 15 and younger today, free for ages 62 and older Monday, free for military and emergency services personnel and their families Aug. 29. Unlimited-carnival-ride wristband $25/person Monday-Friday, $30/person Saturday-Sunday. Monster-truck show Friday, $15-$20 includes fair admission; rodeo Aug. 29-Sept. 1, $3-$7 in addition to fair admission. Concert admission varies.

Location: Evergreen State Fairgrounds, 14405 179th Ave. S.E., Monroe

Getting there: from I-5 North, take exit to Highway 2, fairgrounds located on Highway 2 just before Monroe. From I-405, take exit 123 (Woodinville) which connects to SR 522, travel east on SR 522 until it ends at stoplight, turn at the first right on Cascade View Drive for the east entrance, second right on 179th Street for the west entrance. For transit information, www.communitytransit.org or 800-562-1375; Metro Transit info, 206-553-3000 or transit.metrokc.gov.

Parking: $7-$9/day

More information: 360-805-6700 or www.evergreenfair.org