Fun At The Fair For Free

There are some big names coming to perform at the Eastern Idaho State Fair this week, and they can come with a pretty big ticket price, too. But not to worry: If you do not want to shell out the money for a show, there is plenty of fun to be found at the free stage as well.

They play invisible pianos, see invisible rats and fall asleep at the snap of a finger. They are Michael Swenson’s eager and willing subjects, and they have all been hypnotized.

Swenson has been a professional hypnotist for 14 years, and his experience shows. He will kick people off stage who he does not think are ready to be hypnotized, but is not afraid to make the most of the people who are ready. One of his favorite tricks is making people think they have to go to the bathroom, and then forget how to go.

Another performer on the free stage is Cary Judd. This guitar player from Boise was not always a touring musician. He used to work in a cubicle and hated it. So one day he gave it all up to book a cross-country tour.

Following his dreams has not always been easy, but Judd just reminds himself that he feels luckier than most. He said he just wants to reach people with his music.

Judd plays on the West Stage at 4 and 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Swenson plays on the same stage at 5 and 9 p.m. from Tuesday until Saturday.