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If you need to escape the heat or even your gal for a bit, come hang out at the Dawg House. Located right next to several of the other guy activities, the Dawg House is your getaway spot to take a break in the comfort of air conditioning, TV with FOX Sports all day, and a lounge full of couches.

Play darts daily and check out the dart tournament sponsored by Boise Darts on Aug 23 and 29 (see contests page for more details). Also watch as professional billiard player, Dawn Hopkins cleans up the pool table with ease. She'll teach trick shots by day and school her competition in our "Just Try & Beat the Girl" evening competitions. For more information, click here to see a schedule of Dawg House events.

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ESPN pro billiard commentator Dawn Hopkins is the current president of the Women's Professional Billiards Association. She is now ranked in the nation's top 16 female players and has won 6 state titles and finished runner up in ESPN's 9 Ball Challenge and the WPBA Nationals. Dawn is also the proud author of the instructional book, "Kids Learn to Play Pool." Dawn will be chilling out in the Dawg House teaching kids trick shots and we dare you to challenge her to a round of pool during our "Just Try & Beat the Girl" evening competitions. For specific times, check our schedule page by clicking here.



"I never give up, no matter what the score is." - Dawn Hopkins

If you think your brew is the best on the block, enter and prove it! This contest is open to amateur and pros alike. Categories range from German Wheat Rye beer to White Grape wine. Entries due August 10, 4 pm. For complete details, click here.

Presented by The BOB 96.1
Western Idaho Fair is proud to bring barbecue grilling to king status. Two series allow professionals and amateurs a chance to claim themselves as grill kings, competing on the pavers at Western Town.

The pros kick off the week courtesy of the Pacific Northwest Barbecue Association with their rich aromas of smokers gone wild. Contest runs Aug 22- 23. Contestants compete in a variety of entries with the following meats ready at these times on Sunday August 23:
Pork Butt: 11 a.m.
Brisket: Noon
Chicken: 1 p.m.
Ribs: 2 p.m.
The awards ceremony is at 4 p.m. at the Project Filter Stage.

Pro Entry Form

All of you Backyard Joes can enter the amateur run beginning mid-week. Grand prize in this competition is a Vermont Casting Signature Series VCS 5007N, 5 burner grill that retails for approx $1800! All contests are held outdoors on the pavers at Western Town. Classes include:

Yardbird Special - grilled chicken August 26
Burger Bistro - hamburgers August 28
Wienie Roast - sausages or hot dogs August 29
All Men's BBQ - chicken, steak, pork ribs and Idaho fish August 30
Entries for the amateur contests are open through Tuesday August 25, 5 pm.
To read the amateur contest regulations, click here.
To enter, visit the culinary department by clicking here.

New in 2009 is the Western Idaho Fair Arm Wrestling Tournament. Join us Friday August 28 where all ages, men, women and kids can compete. Competitions include right and left arms, to girls lightweight, to novice, to 243 pound division.

Registration begins 12:00 noon
Registration closes for open divisions 2:00pm
Registration closes for youth and novice divisions 3:00pm

Competition begins at 2:30pm for open divisions
Competition begins approximately 4:00pm for novice and youth divisions
Finals and award presentation for all divisions begins at 6:30 pm, concluding by 7:15pm

Presented by Schlofman Tractor
All sorts of big trucks for kids and dad to crawl about. Equipment from city trucks - garbage trucks, fire trucks and tow trucks - to construction rigs like backhoes, road graders and dump trucks - to farm implements like tractors and combines - to military vehicles. All these trucks are on display, so come take an imaginary drive with your kids.

Back by extreme demand, Splash Dogs returns to Western Idaho Fair. This interactive event allows dog lovers and any breed of dog to enter. The dog who leaps the furthest into the deep sea of blue water wins. For sign-up information and entry fees, click here.