The Fairground's west side of the arena new drainage system has experienced the first big downpour of rain since we installed the big pipe underground. I am happy to report there is no standing water in sight!

To finish the arena drainage project we still needed to do some ground leveling in the arena area. Bill Chamberlain brought his backhoe to the Vista Park sand dunes with plans to meet up with Shawn Merz who was bringing a dump truck for Bill to load with sand. They moved quite a bit of sand to the arena area. Then Ed Stevens smoothed and leveled the area with our tractor bucket. Bill and Shawn will need to set up another day to haul more sand and then the project will be officially done!

Attention all horse riders that use the fairgrounds arena: the arena will be closed to all riders from May 28 to June 3. We will be cleaning the arena building area as we prepare it for the Dollars for Scholars Event. Sorry for the inconvenience.

A fun project last week before the rain started pouring down was to start planting the Fair raised bed garden. After pulling weeds and getting the soil nice and worked up, I planted summer squash and zucchini squash. There are five more raised beds to plant and I have an assortment of vegetables ready to be set in the beds as soon as the weather warms up. The garden is a project that the Washington State Fair Commission Judge likes to see established on the Fairgrounds as they wander through our Fair.

Time to plan a used book and rummage sale! The Wahkiakum County Fair used book and rummage sale will be open on May 26 , from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the T-building, at the Fairgrounds in Skamokawa. When you stop by Saturday, be sure to take a look at our big new bleachers! One is completed and we should be receiving the parts to finish up the other one as you read this column. We except offers on all rummage sale items and if you buy a sack full of books we also will reduce the price. Hope to see you Saturday.

We received our State Fair funding last week! With the State having budget troubles, the amount we received was reduced, changes had to be made to our 2012 Fair budget. One of the changes we had to make was we can’t pay adult premiums. We will still be able to pay premiums to 4-H, Open Youth and FFA.

Many adult exhibitors returned their premium checks to help support our Fair last year. I am hoping you all will continue to fill the T-building with your exhibits for the joy of displaying your unique styles of handmade crafts, gardening, canning, sewing and baking skills to our community!

Dollars for Scholars is just nine days away! We are putting in lots of hours trying to make the Fairgrounds look extra special for this great event. We could use some volunteer help to make sure we get everything done on time. Give me a call if you can volunteer a few hours of your time.

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

The next Wahkiakum County Fair Advisory Board meeting will be held on June 13 at 7 p.m. at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds in Skamokawa. The public is always welcome to attend.