FILER — Politics and county fairs mix together as easily as red and blue snow cones.

Amid the carnies seeking contestants for games, vendors selling fattening and delicious fair food, and businesses displaying their wares, another breed of fair folk hawks its bag of goods.

Unlike many main attractions at the Twin Falls County Fair, they won’t require you to open your wallet. Instead, you’ll just have to hear them out and then decide whether or not to vote for them in November. In today’s era of rapid electronic communication, the Internet and multiple ways to get a political message out, the old-fashioned but dependable method of shaking hands and passing out literature and bumper stickers at the fair is alive and well.

Politicians of all stripes have been out — or will be soon — at the county fair, a regional attraction that draws in potential voters by the thousands. The practice gives fairgoers a chance to ask tough questions and look candidates in the eye while they answer, before deciding if they’ve got the right stuff.

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter participated in a rodeo event at the fair on Thursday. One of his opponents, independent candidate Jana Kemp, was at her booth on Friday talking with passersby.

Last year, Kemp was at the fair to get ballot signatures she needed to file her paperwork to run in the election. This year, she came as a candidate.

“Face-to-face is so fun,” said Kemp, adding that she’s noticed an influx of young voters in the 18- to 25-year-old range who are interested in the election.

Kemp said that the event is a great way get the word out on a grassroots level and encourage people to come back to her with more questions after reading her campaign literature.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keith Allred will visit the fair on Monday afternoon, said his campaign spokesman, Shea Andersen.

“I think Idahoans are delighted to learn that there’s a guy out there that’s willing to stand up for everyday Idahoans, and if they get a chance to size him up, that’s all the better,” Andersen said, noting that Monday will also be Allred’s 46th birthday. “Let’s face it. He’s got three little kids. It doesn’t take much to convince him to go to the fair.”

Of course, local legislative and county races are also part of the mix.

“It’s really an opportunity to talk to people on a personal level,” said Leon Mills, a Republican candidate for Twin Falls county commissioner.

State Rep. Stephen Hartgen, R-Twin Falls, and his Democratic rival for the District 23 seat, Bill Chisholm, were both at the fair on Friday. In a rural district where knocking on doors would be time-consuming, the fair eliminates that problem, Chisholm said.

“At the fair, the doors come to you instead of you coming to the doors,” he said.

Hartgen said that getting face time with voters and encouraging them to stay in touch is invaluable.

“There’s nothing that beats a handshake and a friendly conversation,” he said. “The Internet will never replace that.”

Ben Botkin may be reached at bbotkin@magicvalley.com or 735-3238.