Workers assemble carnival rides Aug. 1, two days before the fair opened.

Butler Amusements carnival workers Andrew Jackson, foreground, 44, and Roosevelt Conley, 39, wash the top for the small carousel in preparation for the Clark County Fair.

Fairgoers in the late afternoon at the Clark County Fair on Thursday August 9, 2012. (Zachary Kaufman/The Columbian)

Wayne White, of Wild West Events Inc., foreground, and Bobby Rose, take in some target practice with BB guns at the Summers Best Goes West exhibit at the Clark County Fairgrounds on Friday July 27, 2012. (Zachary Kaufman/The Columbian)

Taylor Harpe, left, 11, and brother Jameson Harpe, 9, milk Ramona the goat at the Clark County Fair. Sticking to a consistent milking schedule is important, Jameson said.

It's like a limousine ride for the winners. Matthew Berg, 15, of Yacolt, carries off two of his market fryer chickens after winning 4-H's Champion Pen of Three and Reserve Champion Pen of Three.

Maybe that mask is a little too tight on masked man Kamron Hood, 5, of Happy Valley, Ore.

John Windus, right, of Battle Ground, watches his daughter Arden Windus, 7, ride a mechanical bull at the Clark County Fair on Monday August 6, 2012. (Zachary Kaufman/The Columbian)

Pebbles the cavy gets a loving makeover from 9-year-old Owen Kerr.

Block that duck! Saskia Summerhill, 9, catches a bird that's preparing to flee after taking 4-H honors for her Reserve Champion Single Market Duck.

Portlander Darray Frazier, 20, sweated inside a Pink Panther costume to promote his employer's insulation upgrades at the fair. "It's like a sauna in there," he said while cooling off at a loading dock behind the scenes.

Which rides are cooler: Higher or faster? The Ring of Fire at the Clark County Fair offers both.

David Lichtenstein, aka Leapin' Louie, shows some rope tricks on the first Saturday of the fair.

"That's a good source of calcium," comedian Karen Quest, aka "Grandma," told an ice-cream-eating passer-by from her humongous walker. Quest said Grandma was inspired by her observation that senior citizens can get away with saying whatever they want.

The Clark County Fair changes colors at night.

Tanner Cochran, 16, of Battle Ground, rests his eyes while helping friends with their goats at the Clark County Fair. After an overnight switch, the fair will feature fresh animals and, presumably, fresh owners beginning today.