The Northwest Washington Fair’s focus on its rural roots hasn’t prevented the six-day event from becoming one of the biggest in the state. Attendance at the fair topped 216,000 in 2010.
The Northwest Washington Fair draws some of the biggest names in entertainment to the Lynden area every year. Music lovers all over the Northwest eagerly await the names of who will be performing to the thousands who fill the grandstands for top-notch performances. Randy Travis, Ted Nugent and even the local boys in the demolition derby provide fairgoers with memories for years.
Of course, a fair wouldn’t be a fair without carnival rides, games, vendors and foods (try the famous “moowich”). The fair enjoys widespread participation from artists, quilters, and landscapers. Still, agriculture is the heart of the fair. Some of the country’s top dairies bring their cows each year, while another annual highlight are the majestic draft horses. Hundreds of FFA and 4-H youth fill barns with pigs, sheep, goats, chicks, rabbits, dogs, cats, and more.
The week following the fair is the Lynden PRCA Rodeo. This annual event is bringing the top cowboys in the nation to compete for prize money and braggin’ rights. This event continues to grow and grow selling out year after year.
The Northwest Washington Fairgrounds is also home to dozens of other events throughout the year. The Spring and Fall Craft & Antique Shows, family reunions, the always popular Whatcom County Home & Garden Show, and dozens of RV groups that rent the gorgeous grounds to host up to 500 units at a time all call this first class facility home. The NWWF has unique facilities to fit your every need. Many weddings and receptions are held in the beautiful Mt. Baker Rotary Building every year. This first class facility has a full catering kitchen, a northwest themed design and its own on-site parking.
The Expo Building can hold groups up to 800 people, so invite the whole family if you need to! The Peoples Place building is a comfortable environment for 20 to 120. Whatever function you want to hold, it’s a good bet Fair Manager Jim Baron and his staff will be able to fill your needs. After all, they do have 220,000 people over in August!