East Washingtonian - Your Hometown News Source

POMEROY–The traditional Pioneer Breakfast will not be happening again this year. Garfield County Fair Board president Sara Lunsford said the breakfast event usually held to raise money for the fair is not going to happen this year and asked the group for other fundraising ideas.

Jamie Hames suggested a pre-sale of fair-related tee shirts with a design not dated by a specific year or theme. She is already working on a design with another person and hopes it will be ready by the next meeting. Research still needs to be done to find a place to have the shirts printed and not wait until fair time.

Leta Travis promoted the idea of having a raffle of a donated item instead of a something purchased. By doing this, the money raised would go entirely to the fair fund. Travis made the observation that, "People want to go somewhere." Larry Ledgerwood mentioned a fishing trip or Hells Canyon trip.

Due to the wrong date posted on Facebook, the Cowboy Shooters are unavailable. The group offered to do a free clinic, but Lunsford will inquire if they will consider coming on Saturday instead. Since their non-appearance voids an earlier agreement with the Cowboy Shooters that they could use the fair arena for free to practice in exchange for appearing at the fair, Travis stated, "Now they are renting it." Lunsford agreed, and she will tell the Cowboy Shooters there will be a rental charge for the arena.

Hames said Wendi Watson had suggested having a dog show featuring a dog agility demonstration. Space requirements for such a demonstration as well as parking needs for the dog owners and insurance concerns for the fair board were discussed. More information will be available by next week. Bartlow reminded the group of the Sunday Dog Show that has been held in the past.

Lunsford emphasized the need for superintendents for the Cereals, Fruits and Vegetables, Poultry and Rabbits, and Photography departments at the fair. She asked the group if anyone had new information for social media about the RV parking spots.

County Commissioner Ledgerwood handed out a copy of a Fairgrounds Master Plan drawn up several years ago and said County Engineer Grant Morgan is working on a "soft-match" grant for the materials already put into the rodeo grounds. He also talked about a large pole barn in Connell which the owner would give away, but the recipient would have to come and dismantle it, and also need to be licensed and bonded. Ledgerwood said Nick Herres might be interested in doing it if there was funding to provide the supplies needed for the project.

The feasibility of having an indoor arena at the fairgrounds was debated. Hames pointed out the Spring Jackpot Show attracted a "pretty big crowd." Ledgerwood said someone had told him to contact Nez Perce County regarding their facilities, as they had both a pavilion and also an indoor arena and basically had to shut down.

Travis said fairground utilities concerns are occurring with heavy vehicle useage may constitue breakage to underground pipes, septic and sprinkler systems. Bartlow said a remedy would be to mark they systems so campers and other vehicles avoid the pipes. Additionally, according to Bartlow utility costs at the fairgrounds are already high. LED lighting is less costly to run expensive to get installed. Ruark mentioned sometimes people wash animals then load up and leave forgetting to turn things off.

Lunsford stated corrections to the premium book must be turned in right away. Chris Field asked if there had been any discussion regarding COVID-19 guidelines or restrictions. Bartlow replied that the maximum number allowed at the fair at any given time could not exceed nine thousand so the consensus was we are probably pretty safe there. She also said as of now people still had to wear masks. Field said he just needed to know whether to send a $500 deposit for the inflatables that are popular with the kids. Sherrie Ledgerwood asked how many premium books would be ordered this year and Bartlow said the plan right now is to cut the number in half. It was noted that some people could access the information online.

Bartlow told members that the Forest Service wants to rent the community building but that agency does not have a checking account. A "point to pay" option was discussed. Travis wanted to know if the RV spaces are numbered and commissioner Ledgerwood responded that the RV spots and rental came up at a recent meeting. He stated the county commissioners need to have a clear policy regarding the monthly and daily rental rates. Bartlow said the board still needed to hear from County Attorney Matt Newburg. Lunsford said, "The rate needs to be what we say it is and stick to it." The fourteen-day limit on space rental was also discussed.

Commissioner Ledgerwood wanted to know if the Fair Board wanted to be a "fairgrounds board" or just a "fair board." Hames replied that right now the board definitely needs to be involved in any decisions. Field observed that the group is "an advisory role, but the fair board, whoever it is, always needs to be involved." Hames expressed appreciation to Ledgerwood attending board meetings and stated, "Just by you sitting here we have more communication."

There have not been any qualified applicants for the maintenance employee at the fairgrounds. Bartlow said she has been having trouble accessing the website and Hames discussed the Open Livestock Form. Lunsford said she is still working on the by-laws with Newburg.

-File photo

David Ruark said the Eastern Washington Agricultural Museum (EWAM) recently picked up a 100-year-old sawmill from Dayton. He said the iron is still in good shape but the timber needs replacing. He said the big pump jack should be in place and signage ready by fair time. The hay grounds have been seeded and he noted that with the lack of rain the hay crop raised could be a good item for providing some income for the fair.

The Garfield County Fair Board met for its regular monthly meeting on May 18, 2021, with twelve members and guests present. Minutes from the last meeting were read and approved, followed by the treasurer's report.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, June 15, 2021.