What's happening at the Fair?

The Wahkiakum County Fair is only seven months away! Fair Board committees are starting to meet and discuss new ideas to help promote, fundraise for and advertise our Fair. The Royalty Program committee met last week to look over a new program. The rules, responsibilities and funds raised are all topics that are being looked into. The new program is still in a rough draft form, the committee is pooling ideas and as soon as we have a detailed program we look forward to advertising for participants. Keep reading this column for the latest updates as we make progress!

What beautiful and cold weather we’ve had in our county! Unfortunately when the temperature drops into the 20s I have to shut all the water off at the Fairgrounds. In the near future we hope to be able to leave certain faucets and the restrooms open year around. These projects are in our future plans, if you would like to help make these improvements happen, just support our fundraising events!

Only three weeks until the Valentine Diamond Dinner! You can support the 2013 Wahkiakum County Fair by purchasing tickets to the “Valentine Diamond Dinner” held at the Skamokawa Grange on February 9. Tickets are still only $25 per dinner and the price includes a raffle ticket to win a diamond bracelet and a basket full of goodies! The bracelet is beautifully covered with sparkling diamond accents. This same raffle has multiple other prizes that you can win including a Heavy Stone Jewelry necklace, candles, wine and the prize list keeps increasing each week. Purchase more raffle tickets for $1 each during the dinner to increase your chances of taking a nice prize home. Evening entertainment will be provided by talented pianist Kathleen Peterson, she will fill the Skamokawa Grange Hall with musical melodies as you enjoy your delicious dinner. Purchase your dinner tickets at the Cathlamet Bank of the Pacific or call Becky at 795-3434 for out of town purchases. Dinner includes a filet mignon steak cooked on the BBQ to perfection, baked potato with all the fixings, a beautiful multi-lettuce salad, green beans, a fresh baked roll, dessert, a glass of wine or your choice of our beverages. All proceeds from Wahkiakum County Fair Board fundraising events go directly toward supporting and maintaining your 2013 Wahkiakum County Fair.

If you would like to attend the Valentine Diamond Dinner but prefer a vegetarian meal we will cook Portabella mushrooms on the barbeque for you. At the dinner just let your waitress know you would like the Portabella Mushrooms instead of the filet mignon steak and you will be served a wonderful vegetarian dinner.

What hobbies have you been working on this winter? Knitting a warm hat or scarf? Painting a colorful country scene? Taking pictures of the beauty that surrounds us in Wahkiakum County? You can display your crafts, artistic talents, quilting, sewing and canning at the Wahkiakum County Fair and receive fair premium dollars for your exhibits. We have in our approved Wahkiakum County Fair budget for 2013, $13,500 to pay out to adult and youth exhibitors. Adults will be receiving the same dollar per point as youth exhibitors again. The premium point payment has been reinstated in our budget for adults, spread the word!

The fair office is open by appointment only. If you need to gain access to the fairgrounds contact Fair Manager Becky Ledtke @ 795-3480 and leave a message.

The next Wahkiakum County Fair Board meeting is February 13, 7 p.m., held at the PUD Building meeting room in Cathlamet. The public is always welcome to attend.