On the west end of Monroe sits the enormous Evergreen State Fair (360/794-7832 or 360/794-4344) complex, which features a raceway, outdoor arena, exhibit halls, and a 3,000-seat indoor Equestrian Park—one of the finest on the West Coast.

The fairgrounds are the site of major equestrian shows all year long, including the Washington Hunter/Jumper Spring Nationals in April, the Pacific Northwest Quarter Horse Shows in May and September, along with a diversity of other events: medieval tournaments in January, a big craft show in April, an antique car show in May, and a Christmas crafts fair in December.

The biggest month is August, when the calendar is packed with activities, including an Old Time Threshing Bee and the ever-popular Evergreen State Fair, the largest fair in Washington. Besides all the usual fair activities—agricultural displays, live entertainment, food and craft booths, and carnival rides—there’s a fun run, parade, and all sorts of other activities. The fair lasts for 11 days, from the last full week in August through Labor Day weekend.

Also at the fairgrounds is the Evergreen Speedway (360/794-7711, www.evergreenspeedway.com), where you can watch NASCAR auto racing, demolition derbies (biggest of all is on the 4th of July), and other contests of bravado late March to mid-September.