Country star, sharks highlight Clark County Fair entertainment

You won’t need a beach when Clark County gets its own shark week beginning Friday, July 21.

Shark Encounter will bring live sharks to the midway for daily shows and highlights the Clark County Fair’s 2017 entertainment schedule.

RELATED: Clark County Fair to see big changes at animal auctions this year

Add in performing pigs and hogs, an exhibit devoted to one of the area’s leading industries, daily live music from Elvis to country and pop in the big tent and furious engines to a new 5k run in the grandstand area.

“It all comes back to our marketing message for this year with lowering our ticket prices, more bang for your buck,” Clark County Fairgrounds Executive Director Dean Blair said.

Shark Encounter will have shows three to four times daily in which a diver will interact live with sharks and educate the audience about the creatures.

“Picture a semi-trailer filled with water and live sharks,” Blair said. “And, yes, he gets bit two or three times a year.”

Another animal addition is the Pork Chop Revue, which will also run daily, bringing cuddlier critters performing tricks and making audiences laugh.

MORE CLARK COUNTY FAIR COVERAGE: Mini indoor tractor pull makes debut at Clark County Fair

Also new is a firearms training simulator courtesy of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. This activity is for adults only and presents scenarios law enforcement officers may encounter in the field.

One of the area’s most important businesses, International Harvester/Navistar, will have its own history tour with All Things IH and will feature original Champion Reapers and other items people might not know that the company manufactured, courtesy of the Heritage Center of Clark County.

A formula race boat that will compete in the races at the fairground lakes in August will also be on display on the midway.

Country music star Chris Higbee will lead the big tent entertainment at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 26.

One of the highlights of his show is a cover of the Charlie Daniels Band’s “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” in which he tears it up on the fiddle. Higbee also has a hit song, “Angry American,” inspired by his active duty military wife’s service.

Higbee’s flair and patriotic attitude made him a must-have artist for the big tent, Blair said.

Local bands including The Temps, Emerald City Heroes (featuring the same musicians), The L.A. Band and Above the Law will also perform.

DETAILS: Mini indoor tractor pull makes debut at Clark County Fair

Grandstand entertainment standbys the truck and tractor pulls, drag racing, the demolition derby and kiddie scrambles will have new company this year.

The first Salvation Army 5k run will be on the fairgrounds’ newly created cross country course at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 26. The kid friendly event is open to anyone interested and runners can register up until the day of the event. Proceeds will go to the Salvation Army.

Grandstand event admission is $6 a person, except for the kiddie scrambles, which are free.

For more information on fair entertainment, go to http://clarkcoag.com/index.php/clark-county-fair/entertainment/.

BIG TENT ENTERTAINMENT

(All events will be at 7:30 p.m. except where noted)

Friday, July 21 – The Temps (pop, dance hits from ‘70s-today)

Saturday, July 22 – Sonie’s School of Dance, 1 p.m.

Saturday, July 22 – Emerald City Heroes (Seattle alternative music)

Sunday, July 23 – Deep Water Worship (Christian music), 4:15 p.m.

Sunday, July 23 – Blaine Bowman and his Goodtime Band (Christian music)

Monday, July 24 – Ryan Roth is Elvis

Tuesday, July 25 – David Wayne (old-time country music), 3 p.m.

Tuesday, July 25 – Hank FM presents Throw it Down Band (country music)

Wednesday, July 26 – Chris Higbee (country music)

Thursday, July 27 – The L.A. Band (rhythm and blues, Motown)

Friday, July 28 – Above the Law (rock covers), 8 p.m.

MIDWAY ENTERTAINMENT

Shark Encounter, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Friday, July 21; 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday July 22 and July 23; 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Monday, July 24-Friday, July 28

Pork Chop Revue, 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Friday, July 21-Thursday, July 27; 1,3 and 5 p.m. Friday, July 28

All Things IH, open during fair hours

Bear Hollow Woodcarvers, noon, 3, 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday, July 22-Thursday, July 27; noon, 3 and 5 p.m. Friday, July 28

Mr. Banjo, noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 22

John Cooper is Abe Lincoln, noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 22 and Sunday, July 23

Just 4 Fun Line Dancers, 5-6 p.m. Saturday, July 22

Firearms Training Simulator, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, July 24-Friday, July 28,

GRANDSTAND EVENTS

(All events at 7 p.m.)

Friday, July 21 – Truck Tug

Saturday, July 22 – NTPA Truck Pull

Sunday, July 23 – Demolition Derby

Monday, July 24 – KOI Drag Racing

Tuesday, July 25 – COTPA Truck Pull

Wednesday, July 26 – Salvation Army 5k Run

Thursday, July 27 – Truck Tug

Friday, July 28 – Kiddie Pig Chase, Pig and Calf Scrambles

About the Author