What's happening at the Fair?

  My project for the Wahkiakum County Fair this week was shifting through a big pile of paperwork. It is time to turn in the application for state funding for our fair. Every exhibitor that participated in our 2012 Fair is counted and all exhibitor entries per class are added up. Next a detailed breakdown of the exhibitors; a total of 4-H, Open Youth, FFA or open Adult exhibitors, plus were the exhibitors from our home county or exhibitors from other counties.

  The next section asks for Capital Improvement projects that have been accomplished in 2012 on the Fairgrounds. We had a lot of them! New bleachers were purchased and constructed on site with a WSDA grant for $22,596; the arena roof drainage system fixed for $1,041; sheep, goat and pig barn floor and stall renovation for $4,259; concrete handicap access sidewalks installed for $398; a concrete handicap access ramp for the Exotic Barn for $100. Many improvements were accomplished this year and most of the work was done by volunteers who donated their skills, equipment and labor to make our Fairgrounds look better and be more accessible to our fair visitors.

  Next all types of Fair passes and ticket sales are added up; pre-season passes, season passes, commercial passes, livestock passes, complimentary passes and all ticket sales. The tally has to balance with the figures in our Fair budget report and this total also equals how many people actually attended our Fair.

  When all the paperwork is finally finished it is turned over to our County Auditor Diane Tischer and she will check all the figures and send off these important papers for our Fair. It’s been a busy week!

  The Fairgrounds firewood project was completed a few weeks ago. This project would have been way too difficult to accomplish without the use of Maury Mooers' hydraulic wood splitter. Thank-you Maury for supporting our project by loaning the Fair your wood splitter!

  Only two 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! Evening entertainment will be provided by talented pianist Kathleen Peterson, the Skamokawa Grange Hall will be filled with musical melodies as you enjoy your delicious dinner. Purchase your dinner tickets at the Cathlamet Bank of the Pacific, the Rosburg Store or call Becky at 795-3434 to purchase tickets. 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. We can seat eight people at each table, purchase eight tickets and you can reserve your own table and fill it with your best friends! All proceeds from Wahkiakum County Fair Board fundraising events go directly toward supporting and maintaining your 2013 Wahkiakum County Fair.

  Live on the West side of KM Mountain? I will be delivering a packet of Valentine Diamond Dinner tickets to the Rosburg Store on January 31 around 10:30 in the morning for your purchasing convenience. We need everyone in the county to support our fundraising events in 2013!

  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., at the PUD meeting room.