What's happening at the Fair?

The fair board has been hard at work this week, organizing the 3rd annual Valentines Day Dinner at the Skamokawa Grange. A popular event throughout the community, don’t miss your chance to be wined and dined while enjoying the many talents of Wahkiakum.

This year we’ve pulled out all the stops and will be serving a delicious filet mignon steak dinner including wine and dessert. Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased via our ticket hotline at 360-849-0001. Our volunteer Jean is ready for your call and would be happy to reserve a space for you and your sweetheart.

Enjoy the beautiful Grange Hall while being serenaded by some of Wahkiakum’s best and brightest musicians. Try your luck at one of our fantastic raffle prizes, including a stunning diamond necklace. Starting at 6 p.m. on February 13, this is one event you won’t want to miss. All proceeds will benefit this summer’s 102nd fair so pick up the phone and reserve your space today.

In an effort to improve efficiency fair board president Becky Ledtke and I met with Chuck Beyer to organize an evaluation and service of the fairgrounds current water system. I am a firm believer in recycling and reducing wastage and am thrilled the county has agreed to help improve the current system.

Mr. Beyer is also working on adding guttering to the new arena which again will help reduce flooding and ensure the new structure is maintained to the best of our ability.

This week also marked the board of county commissioners' approval of the $15,521 grant I received from the WSDA providing heat to the T-Building. This is an exciting project for the fair grounds and will allow year round usage of this beautiful historic structure. I have also submitted a grant request for insulation and am hopeful it will also be successful.

On behalf of the fair board I wish to thank the Skamokawa Grange members for generously allowing us to host the Valentine Day fundraiser in their stunning Grange Hall. Their support is invaluable to the fair and will greatly help in our efforts to raise additional funding.

I also wanted to say a special thanks to Julia MacKenzie for donating her fair premium check. We had a tremendous response last year and are very thankful so many exhibitors decided to donate their checks. A lot of work goes into participating at fair so on behalf of the fair board I wish to thank you all again for your incredible generosity and support.

The next Wahkiakum County Fair board meeting is February 10 at 7 p.m. in the 3rd floor meeting room of the courthouse. The public is always welcome to attend.

The fair office is now open by appointment only. If you need to gain access to the fairgrounds please contact the fair office 360-795-3480 or leave a message on my cell phone 360-355-7743.