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

One week from today, the 2023 Wahkiakum County Fair will open the gates to offer their annual late summer delights, and like this year’s motto, they plan to “Stirrup Some Fun."

Fair Manager Patty Dursteler and her band of volunteers are really busy right now getting ready for those three days, Thursday through Saturday, August 17, 18 and 19.

It’s time for all the final touches, Dursteler said, and for some reason, lots of meetings.

Superintendents are preparing the Youth Barn, the T-Building, and other areas for different exhibits. Volunteers are cleaning, mowing, and planting flowers. One volunteer is getting a couple of old fashioned carnival rides running for the little ones, which include the addition of an octopus ride to the ladybug ride they were given last year, all donated by a Long Beach resident.

We’re frantically working on the ride area, Dursteler said.

There will also be a bouncy house for the little kids, and she is pretty sure that the ponies will be back as well. A mechanical bull will be on the scene for kids of all ages.

Fair royalty this year include Lydia Blalock, 18, of Skamokawa, and Ellie Gilbert, 13, of the Westend. The Fair Queen will be announced on Thursday, August 17 at 6:45 p.m.

Arena Rock Gold will play Saturday night. They are formerly known as Fat Bottomed Girls and while they may have changed their name and some of their playlist, they are always a hit. Also playing next week are the Joel Underwood Band, Doug Cox and Smokewagon, Steelhead, Julie Dalen, Dave McKenzie, The Bridge Church Band, and the Cathlamet Troubadours.

All the usual food vendors are expected, including elephant ears and kettle corn. A new vendor will offer homemade Gorditas and quesadillas, and someone else will make coffee. Teriyaki bowls will be back.

A girls youth basketball team will sell ice cream to fund a trip to Spokane for a youth 2B basketball tournament.

Always fun are the salmon barbecue on Saturday at noon, which costs $10 a plate and the 4-H/Youth Market, which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Friday.

Three day passes are $7 if purchased in advance, and $8 if purchased at the gate. Seniors get in free on Thursday, military get in free all three days, and kids get in free on Saturday.

Come see what your neighbors have been creating this year!