Every so often someone comes along with a fresh idea for the County Fair. Some stick, and then evolve into a regular event, and somewhere along the way that event then turns into one of the fair’s favorite features.

Many islanders can recall, for example, a time when there was no Zucchini 500. It’s true.

San Juan County’s Fairly Outrageous Trashion Fashion Show, heartwarming, homespun, inspired and somewhat absurd, and most appropriately named, is just such an event.

Last year’s production hit a high-note in both costuming and attendance, and, it’s safe to say, proved to be the most outrageous of shows to date.

Spun from straw into gold by founder Francie Hansen, Trashion Fashion, now enters its sixth year, takes the concept of the Bravo Channel’s “Project Runway” to a whole different level, wherein pretty much any discarded, recyclable or throw-away item might end up somehow attached to a garment of any of the many contestants, whom, we might add, have become increasing fond of silly stage names as of late.

This year, however, the show must go on, as they say, without Hansen, who will be on the East Coast during Fair week. Inheriting the role as Trashion Fashion den mother this year is Betty Wilde, of Friday Harbor’s LUSH Hair & Nails, who, with oodles of fashion show experience, is no stranger to herding contestants on a catwalk.

Still, Wilde says that she has no intention of reinventing the wheel or to mess with success, and that, with exception of the a few more modern tunes for the show’s soundtrack, this year’s “up-cycling” competition should go pretty much like those before.

Sounds like outrageously good fortune for the show itself.

Showtime is Wednesday, Aug. 14, 8 p.m., on the Main Stage.