Spokane County Fair and Expo Center — Local services in Spokane Valley

This review is for the Demolition Derby at the fair (not the fair itself) on the last day, Sunday. My family and I attended the last day of the demo derby. We saw that they start at 4pm, which would be good. We could get our kids home before bedtime, since the demo derby on Saturday started at 7. We showed up to the stadium about 20 minutes before 4, so we could get good seats. The derby promptly started at 4 and my two boys were hyped! They wanted to see some carnage! This was their first derby, and I talked it up.

About an HOUR later (about 5), the announcer was finally done introducing the drivers and their cars. Seriously, we do not need to know the entire family history of every driver, where they are from, and how they built their car! He seemed woefully unprepared for this phase of the show. He would walk up and talk with the driver and crew for what was about 3-5 minutes (we timed it), before speaking. Everyone would clap and cheer, and he would move on to the next one. This could all be shortened to about 10 minutes. Or no minutes, since no one really cares who they are, we just want to see them wreck into one another. After all, isn't that what a demo derby is all about? Now, this typically wouldn't bother me, but my young boys were getting impatient. They wanted to see some cars crash into one another. Not some goofy announcer talk about people.

Then, the announcer said that we were going to start with some "bump-to-pass" racing. And the tractors set out some tires for the cars to drive around. Ok, one or two races might be fun. It was fun for the first few races, but they really were not bumping, passing, or anything else, but driving in a circle. Every once in a while they would hit, but it was rather rare. We soon came to realize that these races were to include EVERY car. After about an hour of watching this, my kids getting REALLY impatient and bored, we decided to leave! YEP! We walked right out before the demo derby even started. My kids were actually HAPPY to be going. What does that say about this derby?

There seriously needs to be more demolition and less racing at a demolition derby. We wont be back. My kids will just have to wait until we can go to a real demo...

First time back at the Spokane Interstate Fair since COVID. Shortly after entering the fair, I was approached by a fairly aggressive man, asking if I wanted to enter a drawing for an Amazon gift card. I looked at the fine print and realized that it was part of a shady "resort" company and declined. Really, SCF&EC, allowing this scam at your fair? Also, there were plenty of religious and far-right political booths, one was Liberty State. A gentleman at the booth approached me and asked if I supported breaking away from Washington State. Uhh...The "F Biden" and confederate flags at another vendor was just a cherry on top. People have a right to voice their political beliefs, but it should be done in a family-friendly way. The animals, still-life, agriculture, and Flying Fools were this fair's only saving grace, and I found that most of the exhibits were a lot emptier than in past years. Overall, if you fall far right on the political spectrum, you'll feel right at home here. If not, I recommend saving your $13 and patronizing many of the wonderful small-town fairs...

Great experience all the way around... Taste some of the local restaurants dishes, checkout different artisans wares, take a look at all the hard work people put into their crafts, artwork, vegetables, flowers, animals, etc. We really enjoy spending time with the animals. The way the rides are set up is great, as well. Two different areas, one being for little fairgoers and their parents and the other side being for an older crowd. Beer tent area is secure and has some great entertainment. There is so much to look at, it's hard to get it all in. Wether you're there for a specific concert or mutton busting, there is something for all ages. Although there is always a cost to get in, you could spend the rest of the day just looking at exhibits and people watching (of course) and not spend a dime more and still have...