Bag of Hammers plays Aug. 8, 2024, at the Baker County Fair in Baker City.

BAKER CITY — The Baker County Fair is an August tradition, and this year’s event runs Aug. 6-9 at the fairgrounds in Baker City.

This year’s theme is “Rough Hands, Farmer Tans, Dirty Boots and Country Roots.”

The fair opens to the public at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 6. This day features small animal contests, an archery competition at Leo Adler Field from 3-4 p.m., and family game night in the grass area at 5 p.m.

For the rest of the fair, Aug. 7-9, gates open to the public at 9 a.m. Vendors will be open throughout the week.

Wednesday features conformation contests for small and large animals, and the Kid Fun Zone will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (the watermelon seed spitting contest is at 3 p.m.).

The beer corral by Barley Brown’s will be open from 4-9 p.m. and live music starts at 4:30 p.m. with Mitchell Paul Stephens, followed by Jordan Shaw from 6-9 p.m.

On Thursday, Aug. 8, the 4-H and FFA participants will be judged on showmanship, and the Kid Fun Zone is again open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Those too young for 4-H can get a taste of the action with the open class pee wee showmanship on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. This is open to ages 9 and younger. Registration forms are available in advance at the fair office, 2600 East St., or by noon on the day of the event.

Thursday’s animal events culminate with the Round Robin, which determines the overall showmanship winners, at 6:30 p.m.

The beer corral again opens at 4 p.m., and the stage features music by Sum People from 5-6 p.m. and Bag of Hammers from 7-9 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 9, brings the Baker County cattle dog trial starting at 7 a.m. in the rodeo grounds, and the small animal costume contest is at 10 a.m.

The Kid Fun Zone is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, and the 4-H/FFA livestock auction starts at 6 p.m. in Cockram Arena.

The beer corral will be open from 4-9 p.m., and the fair closes at 9 p.m.