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

 Volunteers working on the drainage project between the horse barn and arena, in spite of the weather, are making some good progress. One ditch was dug, four catch basins set in place and 100 feet of four inch pipe laid out. The pipes and basins are connected, most of the ditch is filled back in and the pipe that is in place is helping to drain the inches of rain we keep receiving each day. It’s not fun to work in the type of weather that you have to wear rain gear all the time, but if you want to complete any projects this time of year, you have to suit up and just go to work. Thanks to Bill Chamberlain and Ed Stevens for working many hours on this big project!

Too rainy outside to ride your horse? You might want to consider purchasing a 2013 horse gate key. The key allows you and your horse access to the Fairgrounds big covered arena. You can ride in the arena almost every day, except when we have a scheduled event on the fairgrounds. The scheduled events will be posted ahead of time in the arena and on the Wahkiakum County Fair’s Facebook page.

Local horse trainer, Shawn Merz uses the arena every week. Shawn told me last week the footing in the arena is really close to perfect. The horses are able to move good and he is not noticing any hard spots, rocks or deep material places. That’s the type of arena footing we tried to accomplish and Shawn’s comments confirm we are progressing in that direction.

If you purchased a horse gate key for use in 2012, you will need to purchase a new key to access the riding arena in 2013. I will be changing the lock in the first week of January and don’t want you to be locked out. Plan to keep your horse in good shape year around riding in our big covered arena!

Ed Stevens has been dodging rain squalls and high winds the last few weeks, but with some determination he is once again creating a Christmas light show at our fairgrounds. He was given permission to add some lights to the Skamokawa Grange Building also. Rain or shine each day he continues to work on this project. I heard rumors there are some big decorations going up just before the Skamokawa Grange and Skamokawa Fire Department prepare their free holiday dinner. Hope to see you Saturday night December 8th, 6-8 p.m., at the Skamokawa Grange. Share a delicious free spaghetti dinner with your friends and neighbors, maybe you will win their raffle for a huge basket full of goodies, view the festive lights at the fairgrounds and I think Santa will be stopping by the Grange too!

I am working on a time consuming project this week that will help keep a few more dollars in our Fair budget. First I will count all the Fair ribbons we have, then I can figure out the ribbon order for the 2013 Fair. My plan is to order the ribbons we need in January. If I order them in January our ribbon supplier will take 10% of the total cost off of our order!

The fair office is open by appointment only. If you need to gain access to the fairgrounds contact Fair Manager Becky Ledtke @ 1-360-795-3480 and leave a message.

The next Wahkiakum County Fair Board meeting is December 12th, 7:00 p.m., at the Wahkiakum County Court House, 3rd floor meeting room in Cathlamet. The public is welcome to attend.