Delicious and inexpensive barbecue sliders. A taste of next year’s mascot. New rides.

These are just some of the great things waiting for you at this year’s Spokane Interstate Fair starting Friday.

What you should know:

You have a limited budget? No problem

Homemade meals for five dollars are unthinkable at fairs – but one stand changes everything.

Joey Azar, owner of Azar’s Food Haven, provides meals for $5 to fairgoers. While he wasn’t sure how that would work given the cost of purchasing all the ingredients, Azar knows food insecurity is a problem and wanted to help families who still want to enjoy the fair without having to worry too much about their finances.

“After COVID, everything was a shock – this is the first time we’ve ever done this, just because I think people really need it,” Azar said.

“Everything is bloated and the whole system is just ridiculous.”

Their menu includes chicken tenders, which they marinate, bread and fry, decent-sized buffalo chicken and barbecue sliders (each with nearly a quarter pound of meat, Azar says), waffle fries, lemonade and more — all for under $5.

Only if you want cheese on your fries or dipping sauces will there be an additional charge.

“The $5 stand is just something I’ve always wanted to do at current prices,” Azar said. “I just hope I sell enough to make it worth it.”

To help cut costs, Mary Kae Repp, marketing director for the fairgrounds, said there are also discounts on certain days. For example, discounted early season tickets are extended from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays in honor of National Food Bank Day.

“We’ve partnered with Great Harvest Foods and George Gee GMC. It’s really easy. You just grab two cans of food from your cupboard and come to the fair. Then you get $5 off tickets. All you have to do is find the George Gee GMC truck at the entrance and donate your two cans,” Repp said.

In addition, Repp said that people 55 and older can get free tickets from US Bank at the entrance on Monday. All you have to do is show your ID there to get free entry all day. Parking will also be 50% off, so instead of paying $10, you’ll only pay $5 for parking all day Monday.

There’s another day on Wednesday for frontline workers, including police officers, firefighters, ambulance drivers, paramedics and anyone who works in hospitals. All you need is an ID card to get in free all day with free tickets from Carpet Barn.

“We’re also offering two big discounts on Sunday, our last day, September 15th. Spokane Teachers Credit Union is making it possible for everyone in public and private education: If you have a pay stub or ID, you get free admission all day,” Repp said.

Rides, old and new

If you need a little chaos in your life, then these new rides at the fair are just what you need.

Jesse Bogue, assistant general manager of Butler Amusements, said two new rides will be added for this year’s fair – Khaos and Viper.

“We try to introduce a few new rides every year or change something from year to year,” Bogue said.

The Khaos is fairly new and can accommodate 24 people at a time. It swings back and forth and spins in the air – an exciting experience for the passengers.

“The name fits the ride,” Bogue said.

Viper hasn’t been to the Spokane Fairgrounds in years.

This colossal 24-seat ride twists and turns at such high speeds that Butler considers it one of the most thrilling rides.

“The faces of the people say it all. That’s, you know, that’s good for me,” Bogue said. “Then I know it’s a good experience. The screams show that we’re doing something right.”

Bogue said there is also a new attraction for children called Dinos and Elephants, which features fun animal figures as seats. The attraction slowly moves up and down in a circle.

Local artist paints murals for the fair and gives hints about next year’s mascot

Ever since Aubree Click was little, visiting the fair was one of her favorite childhood activities.

When Click was asked to paint a mural for the fair, she said it was a “surreal” moment.

“I grew up going to the fair in Spokane and just wanted to bring everything – it’s kind of exactly how I remember it from my childhood,” Click said.

The mural near the fair’s entrance is full of vibrant colors and draws the eye from side to side. It features a red tractor on a cushion of tall green grass and sunflowers, a blue ribbon, fruit, and a variety of farm animals – one of which hints at next year’s mascot. This year’s mascot is a goat.

“It probably took me between 60 and 70 hours total,” Click said. “It took a really long time because I wanted really detailed details, and I’m quite a perfectionist, so it took a long time to feel like it was finished.”