What's happening at the Fair?

The final legislative budget included $1,750,000 per year for 2012 and 2013 for the Fair fund. That is a decrease of $250,000 per year, but considering the cuts made to other programs and the original budget proposals, it is very good news.

Better news. The capital budget included $1,000,000 for health and safety grants for county fairs. That is more than double what has been received in the past. This money can be used for plumbing, electrical, ADA, lighting, fencing, etc… projects that need to be done on our fairgrounds.

I would encourage you to contact your legislators one more time. Let them know how much you appreciate this outcome. Commissioner Blair Brady and our legislators worked very hard to keep our County Fair funded. Please contact Senator Brian Hatfield at brian.hatfield@leg.wa.gov, Representative Brian Blake at brian.blake@leg.wa.gov, Representative Dean Takko at dean.takko@leg.wa.gov, and Commissioner Blair Brady at bradyb@co.wahkiakum.wa.us. Thank them for their time and effort.

The fair books are printed! Inside the fair book be sure to read my interview with Lois Wakefield, a very special person that the 2011 Wahkiakum County Fair is dedicated to. I would like to thank Geri Florek for her skills at deciphering the many fair book changes and corrections I submitted to her and Rick Nelson for getting the book printed so fast. Please read the ads in the new fair book and thank the sponsors that help pay for the printing of the book by shopping at their businesses and using their products!

Seems like we finish one big project, relax for a day, take a look around the fairgrounds and off we go tackling another project! I think our handyman, Ed Stevens, favorite saying is “What’s next?” The new project for this week is to post the big arena. We are running guide lines around the perimeters to set the panels into their proper places, digging post holes through rocky ground and having a pretty good physical workout doing so. We are also installing panels off the arena sides for animal holding areas and stabilizing these panels too. Horse Barn Superintendent Valerie Antijunti donated funds to cover about half of the cost of this project. Thank you Val!

Time to start the count down, only nine more weeks until the fair! Still plenty of time to create crafts and spend a few more hours each day with your show animal projects. The extra time spent training now, will be noticed in the show ring by your judge!

Want to be a vendor at the Wahkiakum County Fair? It’s time to give me a call and secure your space! Please leave your name, phone number and best time to call you back on the recorder.

The Silver Buckle Open Game Show is planned for Saturday August 20th during the Wahkiakum County Fair. For information on how to pre-register call the Fair Office at 1-360-795-3480, leave name, phone number, message and best time to call you back or send an email to wahkiakumfair@centurytel.net .

If you need to gain access to the Fairgrounds contact Fair Manager Becky Ledtke at 360-560-0371 or you can call the Fairgrounds Office at 360-795-3480 and leave a message.

The next Wahkiakum County Fair Board meeting will start at 7 p.m. on July 13, in the T-building at the Fairgrounds in Skamokawa. The public is always welcome to attend.