The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

The Wahkiakum County Fair is supported and maintained each year by Fair Board fund raising events, State Fair funding, the Wahkiakum County commissioners, camping fees from our park, private Fairgrounds event rentals, rummage sales, Horse Game Shows, Fair time vendor fees, raffles, gate admissions and very appreciated donations. The Wahkiakum County Fair received some very generous donations from local people and businesses this week. Thank you to Cathlamet Realty West, Jason Delamater, and The Campbell Group, LLC. Your donations will be put to good use in 2012. I encourage everyone in our community to support these thoughtful businesses and thank Jason for his contribution. What a great supportive community we live in!

Rain drops? It seemed like there were buckets of rain being poured on Skamokawa last week! We splashed through shallow pools of water as we again kept watch over the Fairgrounds for any signs of problem flooding. The Fairgrounds Park had some water in the back half coming in from the dead slough that runs behind the Fairgrounds and some ground water came up through the sand stall floors in the cow barn too. All in all the Fairgrounds came through this latest downpour in fine shape. Thank you Bill Chamberlain, Ed Stevens and Jerry Ledtke for being on flood watch!

If you would like to help plan the 2012 Fair, now is a good time to become a Fair Board member. Pick up an application at the Wahkiakum County commissioners office. You can also go online to http://www.co.wahkiakum.wa.us then go to the bottom of the first page and under the heading County Advisories you will see Fair Board Applications, click on this and print one out. As Commissioner Blair Brady said in his Eagle advertisement: “The Wahkiakum County Fair needs you! Applications are now being accepted for the newly revised to be Fun Fair Board. The board meets monthly, meetings last up to one and a half hours. Your interest and expertise are needed!” If you’ve ever had ideas for our Fair and would like to see them happen, turn in an application before January 10. If you are new to our community, don’t hesitate to fill out an application, you will make lots of new friends and we need your new ideas too!

Tickets are available to purchase for the Valentine Diamond Dinner held at the Skamokawa Grange on February 11. Cost is still only $25 per dinner ticket and the price includes a raffle ticket to win a diamond necklace! I have purchased the necklace for this event and it is beautiful! You can purchase more raffle tickets for the diamond necklace at $1 each during the dinner. Purchase your tickets at the Cathlamet Bank of the Pacific or call Becky at 795-3434 or 560-0371 for dinner tickets. Dinner includes a filet mignon steak cooked on the barbecue to perfection by Commissioner Blair Brady and Mr. Bill Coons, baked potato with all the fixings, a beautiful multi-lettuce salad, a fresh baked roll, dessert, a glass of wine or your choice of beverage. All proceeds from Wahkiakum County Fair Board fund raising events will go directly toward supporting and maintaining your 2012 Wahkiakum County Fair. This is an important fund raiser that supports the operation of your Fair. I hope you can attend, we would love to prepare this special dinner for you and your loved one!

The fair office is open by appointment only. If you need to gain access to the fairgrounds contact Fair Manager Becky Ledtke at 795-3434 or 1-360-795-3480 and leave a message. The next Fair Board meeting is January 11, 7 p.m., River Street Building Meeting Room.