What's happening at the Fair?

The second Silver Buckle Series Open Game Show was a well attended event last Saturday at the fairgrounds. There were 24 horses and riders that participated in the timed events. We had competitors from Vancouver, Castle Rock, Kelso, Longview, Woodland, Naselle, Rosburg, Cathlamet and Skamokawa.

We gave out some great prizes Saturday to the high point winners in each age group thanks to the generous donations of horse equipment and supplies we received from Watkins Tractor & Supply Company in Kelso, Terri Slape, Western World Inc. in Longview, Brim’s Farm & Garden in Astoria and L & J Feed Inc. in Longview. Help us thank these sponsors by shopping for your farm supplies at their businesses.

The top two placings for Showmanship were: Juniors Makayla Matthews, 1st; Kelsey Kellogg, 2nd. Intermediates Kenzie Matthews, 1st; Sarah Mansur, 2nd; Seniors Elyse Loring, 1st; Starsha Rose, 2nd. Kenzie Matthews is our Showmanship High Point Overall Champion, and Sarah Mansur is our Showmanship High Point Overall Reserve Champion. The gaming results will be reported in next week's column. The Series Event Finals are August 21 during the Wahkiakum County Fair.

We are going into “Fair High Gear” this week as a lot of event details are finalized. Buildings will be cleaned and decorated as we get ready for the thousands of entries that we hope to receive from the community. This community of family and friends make our Fair the special meeting place it is each year. I encourage everyone to bring their crafts, photos, flowers, baked goods, garden vegetables, canned goods, fresh berries, quilts, sewn items, oil paintings and exhibit them at the Fair. If you have a special talent, like knitting, basket weaving, drawing, painting, crafting items, etc. and would like to demonstrate to others this craft, we have demonstration tables set up for that purpose. Call Becky at 795-3434 to be added to the schedule.

The final Dog and Cat Clinic will be held this Saturday, August 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the T-building at the fairgrounds. Dr. Lisa Bartel can examine your animal, administer vaccinations and attend to other needs. If you have questions call Dr. Bartel at 1-360-484-7228.

Animals are needed! Fair manager Lore Twiet has relayed to me we could use a few more animal exhibits. There is room for beef, pot-bellied pigs, sheep, goats, cavies and cats. If you raise these animals or have a beautiful cat you’d like to bring to fair, please call the Fair office at 795-3480 to get information and exhibitor forms.

There will be a Cribbage Tournament during the Wahkiakum County Fair. Tournament Chairman Mike Backman would like interested people to sign up at the Fair office. Scheduled tournament times will be determined and posted in the Fair office.

The 2010 Wahkiakum County Fair Princesses Cassie Bolton and Akaysha Stonebraker, are selling raffle tickets and Fair passes. The passes are $6 and admit you to the Fair all three days. The raffle tickets are $1, grand prize is a night's stay at the Great Wolf Lodge. Buy these passes and tickets from your favorite princess to help her receive a college scholarship and/or become our 2010 Wahkiakum County Fair Queen!

Lisa Frink, our administrative assistant, will be working in the Fair office 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. weekdays. She can answer your questions and help you fill out entry forms. Welcome back, Lisa!

If you need to gain access to the fairgrounds contact Manager Lore Twiet at 360-431-5247. You can call 360-795-3480 and leave a message on the fairgrounds answering machine.

The next Wahkiakum County Fair Board meeting is August 11, 7 p.m., T-building, at the Fairgrounds in Skamokawa. The public is always welcome to attend.