What's Happening at the Fair?

We are sad to hear former Fair Manager Sandi Nelson has passed on. She was our Fair Manager for many years not so long ago. Sandy and her husband John always took time to walk around the fair and look at every animal and still-life exhibit. Each superintendent was thanked for the many hours they volunteered decorating and displaying exhibits. We all looked forward to the Fair entertainment each year. Sandy would get a big name band to come and play on our little stage. The bleachers would be full of people, all ages, sitting together rocking out. Families and friends enjoying some amazing music brought to the little County Fair in Skamokawa. We all have our own good memories of “Sandy’s Fairs” to think back on and good memories of working with her. She will be missed.

Last Saturday we had a big group of people painting the T-building windows and end walls. Gordon Calvert brought his whole family to help. Patty and Gordon painted window boards and their two sons Brook and Zach used paint rollers to paint both end walls. Neil, Jerry and I worked on the windows, 17 hours of painting and the first coat is done. That’s a lot of hours painting but if you split it up between seven volunteers, it’s not so bad. One more coat of paint and some small building projects and we just might meet our deadline.We need to be done the end of December.

The Wahkiakum County Fair Board elected Executive Officers for 2011 at their December meeting. Becky Ledtke was re-elected President, Neil Beerbower is our new Vice-President, Patty Dursteler was re-elected Treasurer and Jean Beerbower is our new Secretary. The 2011 Fair Board has a total of 12 members, they are: Gordon Calvert, Phil Vik, Gregg Carlson, Jerry Ledtke, Debbie Twiet, Cheryl Backman, Kay Walters, Martha Backman and the Executive Officers listed above. We look forward to 2011 as we plan events for our community to enjoy before, during and after the Fair!

With the weather forecasters sending out warnings for possible floods in our area, Neil, Jerry, Bill Chamberlain and I were on flood watch over last weekend. Bill, Jerry and I live in Skamokawa and have seen how fast the water can come off the Willapa Hills and start creating problems. We have a high water plan and four people that will implement it during the day or night if there is an emergency to protect our fairgrounds equipment from water damage. We were relieved when the rain slowed down on Sunday night and the rivers went back inside their banks!

The fair office is open by appointment only. If you need to gain access to the fairgrounds contact Fair Board President Becky Ledtke @ 795-3434 or you can call 1-360-795-3480 and leave a message.

The next Wahkiakum County Fair Board meeting is January 12, 7 p.m., River Street Building Meeting Room in Cathlamet. The public is always welcome to attend.