Our new bleachers were delivered last week to the Fairgrounds. We expected them to arrive on a flat-bed truck so we could use equipment to unload them, but they arrived in an enclosed van-trailer. That changed our unloading plans! We unloaded by hand several tons of aluminum bleacher parts. Looking at their building plans, I am reminded of an erector set that we once bought my son, only this is way bigger!

Thankfully, I’ve received some offers of help to get this project built when we get some nice weather. If the sun starts shining we will be building the new bleachers and start working on many new springtime projects! I would like to thank these nice people for helping to get the truck unloaded: John Gustafson, Ed Stevens, Bill Chamberlain, Joe Blalock, Jerry Ledtke, and Chuck Beyer.

Last year, Jerry and I built one raised garden bed and planted a small amount of vegetable plants that produced many pounds of good vegetables. We planned to build four more raised garden beds as soon as possible because it’s time to plant the Fair Garden again. Last week we mentioned several carpentry projects to fair board member Joe Blalock. We now have four new raised garden beds and Joe also repaired some of our cute wind decorations. Thank you, Joe!

Another big fairgrounds improvement project is about to get underway. If you have been to the fairgrounds when it is raining you may have noticed we have a big drainage problem on the east side of the arena. The rain water comes off the huge arena roof and goes onto the ground. It turns into big deep pools and sits there until it eventually eases away. Where these pools sit, is also where the horse and cattle holding pens are. This unpredictable standing water caused by our many days of rain has prevented wintertime scheduling of horse and cattle events.

The arena drainage problems were discussed at a recent Board of County Commissioners meeting. The results: The BOCC approved to pay the cost of the pipe and fittings up to $1,020! Bill Chamberlain will use his equipment to dig the drainage ditch, volunteers and fair board members will work together to get the pipe installed and the project done. With this drainage problem taken care of, we can use our arena for events year around!

A project to benefit the rabbit and poultry barn superintendents and exhibitors has been completed. Exhibitors will no longer have to push their wheel barrows over to the horse barn area to collect the shavings needed to keep their cage areas looking good. Handiman Ed Stevens has built a new place to keep cedar shavings contained by the rabbit and poultry barn.

The Wahkiakum County Fair will be holding a firewood raffle again this year. We will be selling tickets at the fair office and all the events in our area. The firewood will be a mix of wood types. Maple, alder and hemlock was cut and split to equal a cord of wood and is stacked in a dry place until it will be raffled off. The wood will keep you nice and warm next winter if you are the lucky winner of this raffle. If you would like to purchase raffle tickets give me a call. The winning firewood raffle ticket will be drawn during our 2012 Wahkiakum County Fair.

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

The next Wahkiakum County Fair Advisory Board meeting will be on May 9, at 7 p.m. at the River Street Building meeting room in Cathlamet.