Distinctly Montana Magazine

w w w . d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m 79 with treacherous bumps and jumps. The Blaine County Fair in Chinook boasts a demolition derby that's a well-known summer tradition on the Montana Hi-Line. Almost every county fair has a rodeo, beer tent, and musical entertainment. And when you live many hours from the nearest concert venue, county fair musical performances are popular. But don't kid yourself; even the most remote county fairs in Montana host well-known musical acts. The Richland Coun- ty Fair in Sidney, for example, almost always has great music. In the past they have featured Vince Gill, Clay Walker, LeAnn Rimes, Charley Pride and so many others. This year's marquee acts there include Chase Rice and Casey Donahew. Yes, the Montana county fair has something for everyone, both young and old. However, some attractions appeal more to a younger demographic. Or the youngster in all of us. Carnival rides and games are chief among them. Even if you do not step onto the fair rides, they still offer a feast for the senses. Some of the rides seem sketchy, to be sure, but they are not as nearly as death-defying as the carnival barkers might have you believe. Rides with names like Gravitron, Yo-Yo, Zipper and Sizzler whip you around like a load of clothes in the barrel of an out-of-balance washing machine. But if this is the most dangerous thing you do all summer, the risk is well worth it. Flashier rides garner the most attention, but no county fair is complete without a Ferris Wheel: the signature ride at the fair. Like the miniature bride and groom on top of a wed- ding cake, or the decorated tree on Christmas day, the Ferris Wheel is the centerpiece of the carnival, and it is often the first thing one sees when approaching the fairgrounds. For many in Montana's far-flung counties, it is the highest above ground some will ever be in their hometown or county. And for what it lacks in thrills, its leisurely spin and bird's-eye view is the perfect place to be just after the sun goes down; when the shadows have not completely consumed the land- scape around you and when the carnival lights seem their brightest, and your significant other is in tow. Yes, the county fair is a great place for date night. Don't forget about the food, either. Lucky for your waist- line, most of these delicacies you only see once a year at the fair—and the air is always filled with a smorgasbord of smells. Kettle corn, cotton candy, funnel cakes, fry bread ta- cos, sweet corn, freshly squeezed lemonade and many dif- ferent foods that, for some reason, taste best when they are served on a stick. They all tantalize your senses. Arguably the most popular food at the Western Montana Fair in Missoula is something called the Tater Pig. This re- gional favorite is a sausage stuffed inside a baked potato, which is then topped with cream cheese and bacon. The

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