You saw it at the fair

Abbie Eaton of Naselle was crowned Queen at the 2014 Wahkiakum County Fair. The six princesses who competed for the crown raised more than $8,000 this year, much to Fair Manager, Patty Dursteler's delight.

Several local musicians took the stage and entertained locals and other visitors at the three-day event. There was salmon and ice cream and elephant ears. Teens chatted and tried to look cool while the younger kids raced around, playing in the inflatable castles, or walking on water in plastic bubbles. Adults tossed horseshoes while a five-year-old boy practiced the same motion to win a plastic sword at a carnival game.

After last year's dearth of cows, the bovine creatures were a priority for Dursteler and it showed. There was a petting zoo for the kids and the pens for sheep goats and hogs were full of vocal creatures wanting food, attention or just to be left alone. One horse took a spill this year and a youngster was injured but Dursteler claims that the horse and rider are fine.

Ribbons lined the rows of quilts, flowers, baked goods and other offerings from locals who wanted to show off their efforts this year.

A less than ambitious tractor pull took place on Saturday, as several men set their egos aside to take turns doing a little hauling.

Dave Langworthy, 88, of Rainier, brought his '32-'34 Model B Industrial Tractor to the fair and after a little coaxing it came to life. According to Langworthy, the engine in the tractor was used to cut the firewood for an old steam train in the port docks of Longview.

A native of Pennsylvania, Langworthy was drafted when he came of age in 1943 and served as a Seabee on Guam.

"I was a powder monkey," Langworthy said. "We blew rock out of a quarry to build a B-29 airstrip so our boys could bomb Japan."

"We were just kids," he said. He's been married 54 years to his second wife, Betty and has five sons.

Dursteler was pleased with this year's event.

"It was a successful fair," Dursteler said, "and I am very grateful to all the volunteers for all their help."