Support Dayton Fairgrounds

Dear Editor,

Maybe you have been reading in our local paper about the plans being made for our Columbia County Fairgrounds, which includes tearing down one of the large historic buildings, The East GrandStand.This could be just the beginning of removing, piece by piece, our historic fairgrounds.We now have someone working in the area,who has closely inspected the grandstand, and knows what needs to be done to preserve its special significance. He is willing to work with us to do this. There are many other areas of our Fairgrounds that also need our attention.

Our group,the Friends of the Columbia County Fairgrounds, is very excited about this, but we need your support. I remember in the past years when a large group of Dayton citizens voted to restore the courthouse building, the theater, the depot, Flour Mill Park and others. And, in more recent times, we now have museums, Blue Mountain Station, and a train, all of which were a result of citizen interest and involvement. Also, a one-of a kind, straw pulp mill is being built, a subdivision proposed, and one of a kind (for us) Boys & Girls Club is being renovated.It took lots of hard working people to make these things happen.

I am earnestly asking each of you to write a letter of support to the editor. To join our efforts, or for more information, contact Julia Mead, President of the Friends, at 509-382-2759 or attend our next meeting on Thursday, November 30 at 7:00 PM at the Legion Hall, 211 E. Clay Street.

Our group is very serious about protecting and preserving our Fairgrounds, and is willing to work hard to get grants and have fund raisers to make this happen. Let’s all work together and get this done!

Sincerely,

Ruth Janes

Dayton