The full slate of afternoon action in front of the grandstands isn't set, but fair manager Scot Meader said this week there'll be a wider variety than ever.
“It'll be different without racing, no doubt, but the people need to know we're working very hard to put on as quality a fair as ever - or better,” Meader said.
Night events will remain much the same, though they'll start at least 30 minutes earlier, in part to mitigate late-night noise concerns with neighbors.
They include concerts in the racetrack infield Tuesday and Saturday, a Professional Bull Riders Challenge competition on Wednesday, pro rodeo performances on Thursday and Friday, and a demolition derby on Sunday.
The fair board's decision Jan. 31 to do without horse racing for 2007 opened up the afternoons in front of the grandstands. It's a new if not unique dilemma, since racing is believed to have been part of every previous Missoula fair since the 1800s.
Five of the six afternoons have been filled with free entertainment, Meader said. The remaining hole is the first day, Tuesday.
The slate, with events scheduled to start at noon or 1 p.m.:
Wednesday - The equestrian contest for the Western Montana Fair rodeo queen contest;
Thursday - Slack for the Professional Cowboys Rodeo Association rodeo, previously held late at night after Thursday's main performance;
Friday - A variety of shows and competitions for dogs, put together by local 4-H groups;
Saturday - A tough truck challenge produced by Mountain Jacks, complete with sand drags and a long jump contest;
Sunday - Flat-track racing, involving outlaw karts, four-wheelers and motorbikes.
“We're here for six days. It's real important, and I believe the (fair) commissioners agree, to provide entertainment for all demographics during those six days,” Meader said.
The wide selection of motor sports - tough trucks, flat-track racing and the usually packed demolition derby - should prove popular, he added.
“Motor sports are a strong draw at just about any venue you have,” Meader said. “The uniqueness of what we're trying to do, along with the variety of things we're offering - we just think that's a good mix.”
For the first time, ice at Glacier Ice Rink will be frozen during the fair. Tentative plans call for daily public skating, a figure skating show and perhaps an exhibition hockey game during the evening.
Last fall, the rodeo committee made a pitch to expand the purses and add a third performance to the PRCA event.
Meader said in order to keep the weekend clear for motor sports, a third rodeo performance would have had to be held on Friday afternoon. It would have cost too much to be viable.
“The stock contractor wanted another $10,000 to $12,000 and then, of course, you have the added (purse) money,” he said.
Still an increase in the added money of $3,000 per event is in the works.
“We're looking at somewhere between $3,000 and $5,000,” Meader said.
So too will demolition derby winners be looking at richer prizes. First place will be worth $2,000 and second $1,000 this year, and everyone who makes the final heat will at least get their entry fees back. The Sunday event, held in the past at 7 p.m. or later after the final horse race, has been moved up to a 5:30 p.m. start.
The night show on Saturday will feature young country music star Josh Gracin, a former Marine from Michigan who rose to fame with a fourth-place finish on American Idol four years ago.
Mike Tucker of Tucker Entertainment, producer of the Saturday show, said he's hoping to have at least one more act on the bill.
MercyMe, a contemporary Christian band from Texas, will be featured in Tuesday night's concert.
Meader said after considerable discussion, the fair board decided against opening gates to free or reduced admission. It'll cost adults $6 to get in, and $3 for students aged 5-12.
A lunchtime promotion will allow people with business cards in the gate free from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Lower attendance without the horse races is probably to be expected, Meader allowed.
“If you look at the history of the fairs that haven't raced any more Š your day gate tends to drop a little,” he said. “But then again, if we have enough other activities going on, who's to say that's going to happen here?”
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