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PLAINS- The Sanders County Fair already draws some of the best rodeo talent in the Northwest, and this year it's also welcoming some of the best longhorn cattle in region. All of that livestock action, combined with some of the best food vendors and carnival rides, continues to be the successful end to a Western Montana summer.

Sanders County Fair Director Mike Hashisaki knows the recipe for a successful county fair, and one of the main ingredients is a great rodeo.

"We're going to go with the bull riding on Thursday night. Last year we had 26-riders for the bull riding event. And of that 26, 18 of them were rated top in the world. That's pretty good for little Podunk Plains, Montana," Hashisaki explained.

This year sees the return of the PRCA Rodeo action on both Friday and Saturday nights, also attracting some of the top riders in the Northwest. And cowboys and cowgirls of all ages are sure to marvel at a new display this year, with the Northwest Longhorn Association bringing in 60 of the famed cattle on special display.

"If you like cows with great big horns this is the place to come this year. And now charge for that. Just wander over. Be in awe of them. I know I see those horns and go I don't know how they get them in the trailers, let alone get them here," Hashisaki told us.

But even though this year's theme is "Dancing with the Steers", fair organizers haven't lost sight of the other attractions, from the fairgrounds' famous green grass to great food and the Davis Amusements' carnival.

"They're offering their ride all day passes this year for $22, pre-sale. And you can ride from noon until midnight on that. You just pick the day you want to do that. And then of course we have the food vendors and everything. I've got a buy coming in, Chocolate Delights," Hashisaki said. . His specialty is deep-fat fried cheesecake, rolled in chocolate sauce and then covered in nuts. The old fat boy's going to love that!"

Exhibits are arriving now, with the fair moving into high gear Thursday and Friday and running through the weekend. Click here to visit the fair's website.