County's 100th fair opens

The 100th Annual Wahkiakum County fair opens today. Despite last minute cancellations and changes, things are going well, said Fair Manager Sarah Lawrence.

Due to the hiring freeze by the county commissioners, she said, staff has had to rely solely on volunteers to pull the fair together. Last year, there were eight full time employees, this year there are two but the county commissioners on Tuesday approved hiring of up to 10 part-time employees during the fair.

Even with the last minute drop outs, Lawrence says there are still many fun events to be found at this year's fair. The Model-T races will go on daily, and there will be a bouncy castle for the kids. There is sure to be something for everyone, she said.

Lawrence said she isn’t sure why people are dropping out at the last minute, but believes it to be a few things.

“Because our fair is the same dates as the Oregon State Fair, there are a lot of people that are already booked to do something else,” she said.

Not to mention gas prices, road construction, a whole range of issues and problems have been deterrents. “We are trying to really emphasize this is the 100th fair, we have all pulled together as a community,” she said.

Being new to the job and new in the community has been a challenge for Lawrence. Without the help of Fair Clerk Lisa Frink, Lawrence said, she isn’t sure what she would have done. “If I could clone Lisa, I would two times over.”

So many local nonprofit agencies have been a big help in paying for the advertising and entertainment, she said. “We have done tremendously with our restricted budget, we are actually under budget.”

The fair is open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. through Saturday. Daily admission is $3.50 for adults, $2 for high school students, $1 for children and under 5s free. Season passes are $6 in advance; $7 at the gate.