By Pat Jenkins The Dispatch The Pierce County Fair returns this week for its 69th year, but without the woman who was its manager for nearly half that time. A four-day run at Frontier Park in Graham starts Thursday and continues through Sunday. It's billed by its organizers as a yearly celebration of rural life, agriculture and "good old family values." Fairgoers will find the usual array of agricultural displays and livestock, carnival rides, food, vendors and entertainment when the gates open daily at 10 a.m. Missing from the festivities and the organization that goes into them is Betty Backstrom, who was the fair manager for 32 years. Backstrom, 78, died Jan. 14. In memory of the Roy resident, the fair board commissioned Marenakos Rock Center to create a granite bench that will be placed near the waterfall feature in the park along with a tree donated by Hill and Dale Garden Club. A public dedication and unveiling of the memorial will be at the start of opening day Thursday. The new fair manager is Shelly Bennett, a member of the fair board since 2011. Active in fairs since she was a 4-H exhibitor at an early age in in Kitsap County, she said she has always had a love for them and wants the Pierce County Fair to "grow and thrive." Entertainers this week will include magician Jeff Evans, hypnotist Kerry Sharp, musician Greg Parke, children's performer Al Hirsch (aka Alleyoop), dance group High Impact, and country music performers Weatherside Whiskey Band. Fair admission costs $5 for everyone 6 years old and up. Parking also is $5. More details are available at piercecountyfair.com.
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