Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

Cruise on Down to the 66th Annual Coconino County Fair, at historic Fort Tuthill County Park during Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 4-7, presented by Findlay Toyota Flagstaff. The County Fair is truly a community event where adult and youth community members exhibit animals and handicrafts, and people of all ages enjoy the various entertainment acts, carnival rides and games.

Visitors may purchase regular price admission tickets online or during the Coconino County Fair; regular priced admission tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for youth and seniors. Any remaining early bird carnival wristbands may be purchased by visiting the Parks and Recreation Administration Office at Fort Tuthill County Park, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by calling (928) 679-8000. Coconino County Parks and Recreation will have a limited number of carnival wristbands to sell prior to the County Fair, and once these run out, fairgoers must purchase them during the Fair for $35 apiece.

A Fun, Exciting Lineup

There is a fun and exciting line-up of musicians and entertainment. With a main stage, variety stage and strolling acts, entertainment is a mainstay at the Fair. We have a featured artist each day on the main stage, including -

1. Country Western Day, Friday, Sept. 4 – Kelsea Ballerini

2. Family Day, Saturday, Sept. 5 – Foghat

3. Cultural Day, Sunday, Sept. 6 – Tropicalisimo Apache

4. Route 66 Day, Monday, Sept. 7 – Scot Bruce –Tribute to Elvis

Additional entertainment includes the Kent Family Circus and magician Adam the Great performing three shows daily, as well as a lineup that includes Cheap Sunglasses, Doo Wah Riders, Sambatuque, Fushicho Daiko Drumming, and more.

Coconino County Fair Goes Tobacco Free

The Coconino County Fair has long been a community tradition in Northern Arizona, but one aspect of that tradition is changing this year: The 66th Annual Coconino County Fair (held Sept. 4-7) will be a tobacco-free event. While the fair has had a smoking area inside the event in years past, those wishing to smoke or chew this year will be required to use a smoking area located outside the fair. Anyone exiting the Fair can return the same day with a hand stamp.

According to the Coconino County Public Health Services District, becoming a tobacco-free event and providing a tobacco-free environment limits health risks that result from exposure to second-hand smoke, reduces environmental impact related to litter and fire danger, and prevents normalization of smoking/tobacco use.

Family Friendly Environment

The County Fair is a family friendly environment with many kids in attendance. When people smoke in environments such as these, it leads to the assumption that many more people use tobacco than the less than 20 percent who actually do, helping make it more socially acceptable.

A 2014 Smoke-Free Parks Study found that secondhand smoke concentrations in outdoor areas are comparable to those found indoors, and that smoking regulations in public places can significantly reduce both the number of cigarettes consumed by youth and the overall prevalence of tobacco use. Also from the study, more than 900 cities and counties nationwide have banned smoking in public parks.

Coconino County Parks and Recreation (CCPR) hopes that by initiating a tobacco-free event, to decrease the exposure of second-hand smoke by fairgoers of all ages, and provide a safe, healthy environment for all.

"Tobacco free" includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookah pipes, and electronic-cigarettes.