North Idaho State Fair draws 169,152 visitors; exhibits and livestock sales set records

Kootenai County Fair Manager Alexia Jordan told county commissioners on Sept. 23 that the 2025 North Idaho State Fair welcomed 169,152 guests, a 1% drop from 2024 but the fair’s second-strongest year on record.

Jordan said the fair presented 162 entertainment offerings included with admission and hosted 10 arena shows, seven of which sold out. "As always, our Sunday rodeo includes free bleachers for the community," Jordan said, adding the event featured more than 30 local bands and family attractions such as pig races and a petting zoo.

Community financial support was substantial: Jordan reported 94 sponsors contributed $450,000 and local nonprofit groups earned more than $81,000 through fair activities. Commercial participation included 124 commercial vendors and 38 concessionaires, most from North Idaho; Jordan said food concession sales were up 5% from 2024 and identified Philly Express as the top-grossing vendor.

On competitive programming, Jordan said the youth livestock show and sale sold 279 animals for a total of $930,855, including add-on prices, with an average price of $3,336 per animal. Exhibits set an all-time mark: 1,288 exhibitors submitted 9,446 individual exhibits, and the fair paid $31,000 in awards.

Jordan highlighted the Jump State Stampede rodeo, which drew more than 13,000 spectators over five sold-out nights, and noted an arena record in barrel racing: "Haley Gibson, from Redcrest, California ran a 17.15, so a new arena record for us." Jordan said the fair’s combination of community engagement and traditions made 2025 "a super strong year for us."

A commissioner praised the fair staff’s performance, saying, "I think the technical term for what you're doing is you're crushing it." There were no further questions from the commissioners.

The commissioners received the report as an informational update; no formal action was taken at the meeting.