Fair Plans Shape Up

DAYTON - The 2014 edition of the Columbia County Fair will offer at­tendees many new activities and events, according to plans being put together by the fair board. The theme of the fair will be "Blue Jeans and Country Dreams." This year's fair will be held Sep­tember 5, 6 and 7.

Columbia County Fair Board Co-President Candy Jones said that the board is eager to try new things this year. "It's important that we get more local people involved," she said. "We're still looking for more ideas."

Jones, who owns and operates the Village Shoppes on Dayton's Main Street, along with her husband, Jim Dyke, said that the board plans to shuffle the arena events a bit this year. A con­cert featuring Walla Walla's Frog Hollow Band will be held Friday night. A Jackpot Rodeo will be held on Satur­day night, with a community dance after, and the annual demolition derby will be on Sunday afternoon.

All of the long-standing traditional fair activities will again be featured, including food and crafts in the pavil­ion and farm animals exhib­its, with 4-H/FFA showing.

Jones said that fair visi­tors will be pleased with the many new activities adults, and especially kids, will find this year in the midway area:

Mechanical Bull - "We just can't afford to have midway rides like the kids would like," Jones said. "But the mechanical bull is af­fordable and gives us a new fun activity." Adults and kids can ride the bull on Friday and Saturday, and even join in bull-riding contests.

Battle of the Bands - Mike Waiblinger, who owns The Inner Groove record and music shop on Dayton's Main Street, is organizing a Battle of the Bands, to be held on Saturday afternoon. Local students (and adults) are encouraged to form bands and prepare to join the battle.

Raptors - A group of rap­tors (eagles and hawks) will be presented by a keeper from Pendleton, will be presented in the midway on Saturday afternoon.

Petting Zoo - Izzy the Camel will preside over a group of furry creatures that kids can mingle with during the fair.

Games and entertainment - the fair board hopes to organize a series of family- friendly activities, including goat milking, greased-pig catching and a watermelon eating contest.

Beer Garden - For the first time in many years, the fair will feature a beer gar­den on the midway. Bingo, cribbage, bocce ball and horseshoes are some of the other activities being consid­ered for the older crowd.

Commercial Vendors - Vendors are being invited to sell their wares at the fair. Anyone interested should contact Teresa Hendrickson at (509) 382-2700.

Mornings - A free fair breakfast is being planned for Friday morning. Satur­day morning will feature a breakfast by donation put on by the Columbia County marksmen 4-H club. On Sunday, Church in the Chicken Chapel will be held, and other activities are be­ing considered, including a 4-H style review and 3-on-3 basketball.

Board member Mikki Smith conducted a survey of students in the Dayton schools to gauge their inter­est in a variety of activities. Bull riding and the battle of the bands were among the most popular choices. "We're trying to bring in the activities that kids tell us they want," Jones said.

"The fair is still looking for new ideas and people to implement them," Jones added. Anyone interested is invited to attend the board's next meeting on March 11 at 7 p.m. in the Youth Building.

For more information about this year's fair, or to get involved, contact Candy Jones at (509) 382-9152.