The kids are bored; it’s the middle of summer and you’re going crazy trying to find stuff to keep them busy. The amusement park vacation is a pipe dream because travel and extras simply cost too much.

Don’t give up yet. The Skagit County Fair can solve your “staycation” dilemma, and it’s happening this week, right in your own backyard.

The carnival, live music, a petting zoo, a rodeo and other activities for kids of all ages beckon visitors to the annual Skagit County Fair through Saturday at the Skagit County Fairgrounds on Virginia Street in south Mount Vernon.

“With food prices, everything going up, people can bring the family and experience a great event. It’s close by and not a huge expense,” fairgrounds manager Leslie Collings said. “We are offering more kids’ activities, focusing on the younger kids who may be too young to do the rides.”

Collings said the annual fair crams a lot of excitement into four days, with something for everyone: dancing, comedy, jugglers, animals, hands-on crafts, carnival rides and games, and a grand parade on Saturday.

For Nascar racing enthusiasts, the Glory Road attraction will offer all-day racing using remote controlled 1/10th scale cars on a 30-by-30-foot replica of a Nascar racetrack.

Birders and children both will appreciate the two daily shows planned with birds of prey from the Sardis Raptor Center. And a 65-foot climbing wall provided by the U.S. Army will be open all day, every day.

Exhibitors from all over the county will serve up a visual alphabet soup for all-day viewing: Animals (yes, even snakes, lizards and crabs), art, photography, fresh and preserved garden produce and home-baked goods.

“Some wonderful work by talented needlecraft exhibitors, and unbelievably intricate quilts” will be on display, Collings said.

The SeaTech 4-H club, recently returned from a national competition, will demonstrate its robotic creation, using an underwater camera to show how it can retrieve objects.

Live music emanating from the stage will come from young, up-and-coming country artists who hail from the Pacific Northwest — Jonathan Harris from Tacoma and Joe Slick from Sultan — along with traditional country favorites Gerry Andal and the Roughriders, and Marty Davis and the Legend of the Pioneer.

The New Brittns will croon Beatles songs, and several other artists will belt out pop and alternative tunes. Even the Cougar and Husky alumni bands will take a turn on stage Saturday afternoon.

Visitors seeking visual entertainment can take in one of three Shakespeare NorthWest presentations of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Or they can watch talent or fashion shows by budding actors in the performing arts 4-H clubs.

Need a rodeo fix? Rodeo manager Margie Bates of Hamilton said the eight events and entertainment planned for Friday and Saturday nights are sure to grab your attention. Equine 4-H club members and their families will lead the grand entry each night.

Cowboys from all over the Northwest and Canada will compete in bullriding, calf roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc and several other events for a chance at cash prizes, she said. The best all-around contestant also wins a custom-made jeweled tri-metal belt buckle.

“It’s a fast-paced rodeo,” Bates said. “We try to put on the best and bring in the best.”

Granges have always been a part of county fairs. Six area granges — Fredonia, Samish Valley, Skagit Valley, Rexville, Summit Park and Pomona — are creating display booths this year.

And Vernon Egbers, a grange member for 69 years, will lead the Skagit County Fair Parade as grand marshal. Collings said Egbers began preparing Grange displays in 1960 and served as fairgrounds manager from 1980 to 1987.

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday in downtown Mount Vernon. Collings said city and county officials will distribute $2 discount tickets for fair admission during the parade — a terrific way to capitalize on a day of fun.

Regular general fair admission ranges from $5 to $8, but only $20 buys a family pass for two adults and up to three children. Kids under age 6 get in free. Still too costly? Then plan to take in the sights on Wednesday or Thursday, when general admission is free until 1 p.m.

Collings said plenty of low-cost parking ($3) is available in the south field off Taylor Street at the fairgrounds. But if you want to avoid the traffic or conserve precious fuel, try parking at Wal-Mart in Mount Vernon or Home Depot in Burlington and take a free shuttle bus directly to the fairgrounds. The bus will run from 10 a.m. daily to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and until 10 p.m. Saturday.

“We want to make it as easy as possible to get in and out of the fair,” Collings said. “We are hoping for a big crowd.”

Need more details? Schedules, prices, hours and directions are available online at http://www.skagitcounty.net/fairgrounds.