Scones had better not have a calorie count. . .

We've been getting totals back from various departments, providing insight to the amount of food guests consumed, how much toilet paper was used, how many rode Pierce Transit's "Fair Express" and other nifty little facts from the 2009 Puyallup Fair.

Let me tell you this: You don't want to know the calorie count on scones. Especially when a grand total of (drumroll, please...) 1,205,270 were purchased. Now that is a lot of scones - more than one for every person that attended. It is also a lot of calories. Thank heavens they vanish when the scones are put in the bags!

So you were wondering about toilet paper, weren't you? A total of 6,986,000 feet of TP was flushed. On the "save the environment" front (and parking hassles), 96,629 rode on Pierce Transit's busses from various park and ride locations. Kudos to all who took the bus!

Oktoberfest Brought Puyallup to Germany

Oktoberfest was a smashing success. In total, 281 kegs of grog was consumed, authentic singing and dancing was a highlight, and tempting German food filled empty stomachs. A huge hit was the wiener dog race, or should we say races! Every size, color and personality of wiener dog showed up to compete, and some complete with costumes. With an event like that, we can't wait for next year's Oktoberfest!

Habitat for Humanity House Nears Completion

The Puyallup Fair partnered with Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity again this year to build a house during the run of the Fair. The house has been built fast - completed in the 17-day Fair. Media partners included: STAR 101.5 FM, KOMO 4, KOMO News Radio, and KUNS Univision Television.

Trivia about last year's Habitat house included:

14,000 Nails
1,700+ Hours
300+ Volunteers
15 Days to build

Cookies to Pies, and Spam to Salsa

The Home Arts Department features some of the most amazing recipe contests around. Some are local, and some have national sponsors, so the blue ribbon winner's recipe will move on to the national competition. If they win, they could walk away with big prizes.

The judges in the Puyallup Fair Apple Pie Contest ended up selecting Peggy Morris of Edgewood's "Apple-Maple Crunch Pie," and the recipe looks delicious. Karen Karsten of Buckley concocted "S'More Pops," You will be guaranteed to want s'more when you see the combination of Ghirardelli chocolate covering marshmallows.

Talk about a blue ribbon winner! Tamera Battle of Tacoma created "Raz-Black-Blue Pie" in the "Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crusts Pie Baking Championship." It's a mouthful to name that contest, but if that mouthful includes a bite of that berry pie with flakey crust, that's totally fine!

The top three places in the Salsa Showdown went to male cooks. Steve Marshell of Olympia blended flavors to create "Watermelon Cucumber Salsa with Mint."

You've got to drop by the Home Arts Department on the second floor of the Pavilion to see the amazing recipes, and get ideas for your next creative culinary adventure.

The Deadliest Catch Catches Huge Crowds

Johnathan Hillstrand, the gutsy captain on Discovery Channel’s popular series, Deadliest Catch, is making an appearance at the Puyallup Fair, along with his fishing partner and son, Scott. They were here Friday and Saturday, and are back today (Sunday, 9/20) until 9 p.m.

Meet and greets are available, complete with a chance to snap a photo of them and get their photograph. Time Bandit merchandise is also available for sale, and to be autographed. They are located at the intesection of Showplace Way and Grand Avenue.

Last night they participated in a fundraising event for the Puyallup Fair Foundation. The “Deadliest Dinner” had a packed house, with attendees winning raffle items, including autographed merchandise. The Deadliest Catch fans had a great time!

Special Delivery: Piglets come cheaper by the dozen

Angel, a sow at the Puyallup Fair's Pig Palace was busy tonight. In total, she delivered 12 live and squirming bundles of joy. Erica Luxem of Edgewood was tending to Angel as she gave birth to her litter – a first-time experience for Erica, who handled it like a pro. Now you have another "must see" when you "do the Puyallup," now through Sept. 27, 2009!

Starry Country Nights

While Julianne Hough danced her way into the hearts of many people in the Pacific Northwest, she is realizing her dream by singing her way into their hearts as well. Prior to tonight's concerts, she briefly met with radio station winners, as well as Puyallup Fair CEO Kent Hojem and his wife Carolyn (shown). She is excited to perform at the Puyallup Fair, and will open the evening of grandstand music. Following Julianne, Rodney Atkins will take the stage, singing #1 hit songs like "If You're Going Through Hell (Before the Devil even Knows)," and "Watching You." Talk about a great night of country music!

Giant Pumpkin Record Broken at Friday Night's Competition

If you haven't experienced the giant pumpkin contest at the Puyallup Fair, then put it on your list for next year. It is always held the first night of the Fair at 5:30 pm, and the pumpkins are, well, enormous!

Stan Pugh from Puyallup, Washington broke his own previous Puyallup Fair record (1,050 pound pumpkin) with a new Puyallup Fair record of 1,136.5 pounds!

Here are the top 3 winners in the Junior and Adult divisions.

Adult Division:

1. Stan Pugh Puyallup, WA 1,136.5 pounds
2. Joel Holland Puyallup, WA 996 pounds
3. Ryan Ewing Redmond, WA 991 pounds


Junior Division:

1. Breana Barker/Jon Christiani Sumner, WA 662 pounds
2. Amy Maggi Bonner’s Ferry, ID 534 pounds
3. Cameron Jensen Enumclaw, WA 522.5 pounds

Opening Friday Breaks Attendance Record

Blue sky weather was a definite bonus to the wide range of opening day activities that created the largest opening Friday in the Puyallup Fair's history. When the tally was complete, 86,332 people came through the turnstiles.The parade through downtown Puyallup traditionally kicks on the Fair, and has done so since 2000. This year, some unruly steer decided to visit a convenience store. Thanks to the store's electric eye, the door open for them. They stepped in for a minute, and decided that the merchandise wasn't what they liked. Quick thinking cowboys quickly herded them back, and the crowd loved the diversion!With a weekend of great weather in store, and the top 24 cowboys in each event competing in the Justin Boots Playoffs of the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour, there will be lots to enjoy. After all, it is the last hurrah to Summer!

Puyallup Rodeo Debuts Ultimate After-Rodeo Party with Rocky Mountain Oysters

What goes together with cowboys, cowgirls and rabid rodeo fans? The "Party in the Dirt" event following the 6:30 p.m. Puyallup Rodeo on Saturday, Sept. 12th, of course!

It's as simple as holding a ticket to any 2009 Puyallup Rodeo, then buying your $20 event ticket. This ultimate after-rodeo party features Rocky Mountain oysters (yep, that's right!), a BBQ pulled pork sandwich, baked beans, beverage, dancin' in the dirt, the mechanical bull, and the rock-n-roll sounds of Shelley and the Curves.

You'll also get a chance to meet with some of the best rodeo performers in the business, hoping they'll teach you the latest rodeo tips in the industry. Then you can try them out when it's your turn to step up in line and ride the mechanical bull!

Whether you are brazen enough to try a Rocky Mountain oyster -- or not -- it will be a great opener to introduce yourself to someone new!

The Puyallup Fair website link, http://www.thefair.com/rodeo/schedule_tickets.php will make it easy for you to buy your ticket online.

Tickets are limited, so get yours right away so you can attend the very first rodeo after-party. It's guaranteed to be memorable.

Summer has arrived, and that means that the Puyallup Fair will be here before we know it! This year, the Fair starts on Friday, September 11th (it always starts the Friday after Labor Dayand runs for 17 days), and it looks to be the very best ever. In fact, it will be The BIG Fantastic!

We're not alone in saying that, either. We recently received word from Evening Magazine's "Best in the Northwest" that the Puyallup Fair was selected the BEST AMUSEMENT PARK.

When it comes to Party Animals, Seattle Magazine's "Best of 2008" selected the Puyallup Fair as the best place to be. How can we go wrong with animals of every shape, size, color - and more - to greet our guests? Mutton Bustin' was a particular hit with Seattle Magazine. It was pictured in full color, with a little girl wearing a sweet outfit complete with dainty pink and white shoes and socks -- and riding a sheep! Whether you know the children participating or not, you'll still love watching the competition. Everyone who enters is a winner, whether they can take that big step to hug a handful of fluff and hold on tight, or just get close to doing so.

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