SILVANA — The Silvana Fair marks its return July 26 to the tiny town between Stanwood and Arlington, whose Viking Hall and surrounding fairground fields come alive with the sounds of family farming fun on the last Saturday of every July. The event marks the start of fair season in the Pacific Northwest.

“Like Brigadoon, it’s a one-day event that appears almost magically, only to disappear again the next day,” said Lynn Pattison, vice president of the Silvana Community Fair Board. “Unlike Brigadoon, it’s come back every year since 1948, and it’s not magic that brings it, but the hard work of a small local group of dedicated volunteers who put the fair together every year.”

After a livestock check-in and veterinarian check from 6:30-8:30 a.m., the fair will officially open to the public at 9 a.m., with a flag-raising followed by kids’ games for children 16 years and younger.

Judging begins at 10 a.m. for the swine, dogs, rabbits, poultry, waterfowl, pigeons and livestock. Arlington’s singing cowboy, Jesse Taylor, will performing at noon, and Stanwood Redi-Mix will again be sponsoring the greased pole-climbing contest, for kids 14 and younger, at 12:15 p.m. After a lunch break, judging will continue.

“Be sure to visit the many vendor booths, and check out the fabulous exhibits inside Viking Hall,” said Pattison, who noted that this year’s fair will conclude, as always, with the Parade of Champions and closing ceremonies at 4:30 p.m.

“Adults and youth alike are welcome to enter their best works in a huge variety of departments, including the traditional fair exhibits such as cooking, sewing, horticulture and a number of crafts, as well as computer science, photography, creative writing and many other categories,” she added.

Pattison added that young people can enter animals even if they’re not members of animal clubs. Both youths and adults can win ribbons, and youth exhibitors also earn money for their exhibits. She explained that one of the primary goals of the Silvana Fair is to prepare the community’s youth for the fairs that will follow later in the summer and in the fall, making it a “learning fair,” where young participants can make mistakes and learn from them while still enjoying themselves.

“Everyone who goes to the fair is sure to learn something about farm life and rural activities,” Pattison said. “People love to see their favorite exhibits, and there’s always something new to see and talk about.”

This year’s fair is dedicated in memory of fair co-founder Claire Lovgreen, who died March 11.

For more information and a copy of the Fair Book, visit www.SilvanaFair.com.