'Experts Day' takes on the Eastern Idaho Fair Demonstrations

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) – Fairgoers at the Eastern Idaho State Fair gathered in Blackfoot today to learn new skills from local experts during a dedicated Demonstrations Day on Monday. The live sessions took place inside the Home Arts and Demonstrations building, covering everything from outdoor adventures to barbecuing and event planning. Bryan Booker kicked off the afternoon sessions with a presentation on hiking basics. Booker instructed visitors on how to pack light and select appropriate footwear, while fairgoers also sampled freeze-dried trail meals such as biscuits and gravy. 'Get out there and do it and learn as you go and experiment with it,' Booker said. 'And maybe if they could avoid spending some money they don't need to spend by getting some tips ahead of time, you know, or maybe jump a little bit ahead of the learning curve.' Following the hiking presentation, Blackhawk Barbecue, the 2026 People's Choice winner, hosted a masterclass covering meat cuts, seasonings, and temperature control. Nicholas Transtrum, owner of Blackhawk BBQ, explained the goal of the session for local grilling enthusiasts. 'We're going to help the people be better barbecueers on their own back porch,' Nic said. 'It's, you know, it's like, what are you struggling with on your back porch? Is that ribs is a brisket, you know. What is it? Right. So let's help you get it better on your own back porch.' Caterer Gaya Guymon closed out the day's schedule. Guymon shared table setup and food-preparation techniques designed to help dinner parties run smoothly. The Eastern Idaho State Fair will host the 'Kitchen Kneads' demonstration day on Wednesday. Local chefs will present live demonstrations on how to make homemade cinnamon rolls, muffins, waffles and caramel apples. The fair is open NOW until Sept. 12. For more information on the fair and future events, click HERE. Editor's Note: This story was adapted from an original on-air broadcast report with the assistance of AI. All content is thoroughly reviewed and verified for accuracy by the Local News 8 editorial team.