Bishop - Three-county tour returning to fairgrounds in Bishop

Residents of Inyo, Mono and Alpine counties are being invited to pack their bags and set sail for a five-day tour at this year’s Tri-County Fair, staged to the theme “Gilligan’s Island – Fun for Everyone!”
Organizers have noted this year’s event will have all the same fun stuff as in years past, but there’s always something different. There’s going be the pie contest that will send one lucky baker on a railroad tour of the Grand Canyon, a shish kabob barbecue contest and the ever popular destruction derby.
The Exhibitor Guidebook is out for the canning, gardening, quilting, beer making, baking and artist crowd. Year after year, hundreds of homemade and homegrown exhibits are proudly displayed by locals from Inyo, Mono and Alpine counties. From vegetables to paintings to unique, personal collections, there is a category to include nearly anyone’s interest.
Entertainment for this year’s event will include the comedy of Williams and Ree and the music group Stealing Angels performing live in the Main Arena at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3.

The newest faces on the country music scene, Stealing Angels will perform in the Main Arena Friday night at the 2010 Tri-County Fair. The self-proclaimed divas are hoping to have their debut album released this year. Photo courtesy of stealingangels.com

According to the Tri-County Fair, Stealing Angels is an up-and-coming talent on the country music scene, with a debut album scheduled to be released soon. The singers are Caroline Cutbirth, Jennifer Wayne and Tayla Lynn. All three of these women are descended from American icons. Wayne is the granddaughter of John Wayne, Cutbirth is a descendant of Daniel Boone and Lynn is the granddaughter of Loretta Lynn.
Williams and Ree, also known as “The Indian and the White Guy,” have been performing for more than 30 years with their unique brand of comedy and music. Bruce Williams and Terry Ree have shared the stage with acts such as Garth Brooks, the Oak Ridge Boys and Tim McGraw in addition to hosting the “Country Kitchen” with Florence Henderson.

The fair opens at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2 with carnival row packed with games of chance and skill, acres of Butler Amusement rides and live music nightly on the MGD stage.
The WGAS Tractor Pull, with locals and professionals digging in the dirt for a trophy, kicks off the fair at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
On Saturday, the California Cowboys Pro Rodeo Association will have the crowd on its feet starting at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4. This event includes bucking broncos and giant steers, flying Stetsons and flying cowboys.
For some, the next event has been called “the best thing in Bishop” and is the single biggest fundraiser for the Bishop Volunteer Fire Department: the Destruction Derby.
Tickets for the derby consistently sell out every year, with some vehicle collision enthusiasts camping out the night before for tickets. There’s a beauty contest, sometimes a compact-car category, the powder puff and during intermission a few lucky audience members get to try and wear a frozen T-shirt for a pass to next year’s fair.
On Monday, the Ranch Rodeo – including team branding and roping, break away and barrel racing – ends the weekend starting at 1 p.m.
Coming back this year are the Russell Brothers Family Circus, Discovering Science with hands-on learning fun, Garratt Wilkin and The Parrot Heads playing their tribute to Jimmy Buffett, the 4-H Petting Zoo and the Saddle Club and Eastern Sierra Sliders Horse Shows.
And, don’t forget the food – hot corn dogs, freshly twirled cotton candy, Indian tacos, pizza, barbecue and usually something exotic.
The cookie contest this year will be for Bar Cookies and this year’s official pie flavor is Banana Cream.
Exhibitor Guidebooks are free and available at the fairgrounds office or at Wye Road Feed and Supply, Allen Outdoor, Joseph’s Bi-Rite Market, Bishop Nursery, High Country Lumber, Ben Franklin and many other businesses. The guidebook can also be viewed at the fair’s Web site, www.tricountyfair.com.
All entry forms are due by 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21. For more information, call (760) 873-3588.