Vaudeville show celebrates centennial

The Wahkiakum County Fair Board in collaboration with the Skamokawa Grange will be celebrating the County Fair’s 100th birthday with a 1908 vaudeville show at 7:30 p.m. on June 20 and 21, and a matinee at 2 p.m. on June 22.

Additionally, the Fair Board will offer a New York steak dinner on the fairgrounds with wine included before the show on June 21, at 5:30 p.m.

The Wahkiakum County Fair began in Grays River in 1908 and moved to its present location in 1912. The fair continues to this day to showcase Wahkiakum’s talents and skills to visitors. With the fair budget in jeopardy, public support and participation are what keep the fair vital. The Valentine’s Day Diamond Dinner was a huge success in the Skamokawa Grange hall; a similar June dinner will celebrate community history and reward all with a special evening.

Next door to the fairgrounds in the Skamokawa National Historic District is the Skamokawa Grange hall, a contributing structure to the district built by community volunteers in circa 1948. The building had been at the center of Skamokawa activities since then, but 12 years ago it flooded and the building was abandoned. The reactivation of the Grange three years ago has provided new vigor and the building is now on its way to adaptive restoration. Projects undertaken in the past two years by members and non-members include flood clean-up, a new roof, foundation repair, water hook-up and sewage connection, furnace repair, two restrooms, floor refinish, re-wiring, exterior paint, and a new custom velvet stage curtain. Further projects include an updated kitchen, repair of the acoustic ceiling, additional electrical work, and a permanent sound system.

Tickets for the Smoky Water Follies are $10 available from cast members, Trillium Books, the Skamokawa Center, and both Banks of the Pacific. Tickets for the Fair Board dinner are $20 and available from the same outlets. New York steak, red wine, “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag”-- all make for a memorable Wahkiakum evening. Seating at the Grange is limited to 150.

Members of the vaudeville cast and crew include Adele Swift, director, Sunrise Fletcher, musical director, Gilbert Vik, Russ Durah, Bill Coons, Mike Linn, Theresa Runkle, Fern Fey, Kay Chamberlain, Kay Cochran, Kerrie McNally, Gwen Gorley, Patrick Wheary, Mike Rees, Jim Meyer, Dick Uthmann, Jim Miller, Peyton Souvenir, Marilyn Conway, Mike Swift, Kathleen Morgain, Kathleen Petersen, Rebecca Helms, Bob Gawith, Alyssa Braman, Bernadette Goodroe, Kitty Speranza, Bill Chamberlain, and Jessica Fletcher.

For further information, call Jessica Fletcher, 795-8770.