The King County Fair has received a financial boost from King County government, with funds earmarked for youth programming during the 2017 edition of the fair.

On June 12, it was announced the Metropolitan King County Council unanimously allocated $25,000 to support 4-H youth development activities.

“These funds allow us to continue to provide families with great entertainment while creating a valuable outlet for local youth agricultural programs,” said Scott Gray, executive director of the Enumclaw Expo and Events Association. The nonprofit organization manages the Enumclaw Expo Center, which is owned by the city.

“I am proud to be able to support the King County Fair…keeping this vital tradition alive and well,” said County Council Vice Chair Reagan Dunn, who sponsored the legislation. Dunn represents a sprawling district in King County, an area that includes Enumclaw.

This summer brings the 155th anniversary of the King County Fair, the oldest county fair west of the Mississippi River. The four-day fair will open July 13 and will include many traditional attractions; new this year are the Wenatchee Youth Circus and a freestyle motocross show.

The fair historically was operated by King County, but the city of Enumclaw eventually took over; the responsibility was then handed to the Expo and Events Association in 2015.