Friends of the Fairgrounds Working Hard

DAYTON-The Friends of the Fairgrounds-Columbia County have an abiding interest in maintaining the rural and historic nature of the county fairgrounds, said the group's president, Julia Mead. Since forming in Oct. 2017, the group has accomplished much, under the umbrella of the Columbia County Community Network.

"They have been invaluable to our progress with guidance for prioritizing projects, setting a budget and seeking grants," said Mead.

Eventually the FFCC will spin off as an independent charitable nonprofit organization, but in the meantime the Community Network has provided important support.

"To date we have made over $40,000 through grants, fundraising and donations. I'll bet you we have over 2,000 hours of volunteer labor, in kind," Mead said.

The group has held yard sales, a barrel racing clinic, sold dolls at the Village Shoppes, and trimmed the trees for the holidays at Flour Mill Park, and they are making and selling holiday swags during this Christmas season.

"We're busy writing 'thank yous'," said Mead.

Mead says the group is especially thankful to the Warren Family Fund/Blue Mountain Foundation for the $9,000 award for improvements to the Youth Building, which will begin in January or February. The plan is to use the award for insulation, lighting and flooring, and, if money is left over, to make upgrades to the restrooms, she said.

"We want to market that building, along with the Pavilion for family celebrations, reunions, memorials, quilt and gun shows, and flea market consignment," said Mead.

Mead said some committee members are working to bring parimutuel horse racing back to the area for Dayton Days, which take places Memorial Day Weekend.

"We're going to combine our renovation and marketing with Mule Mania. We want them to have a good experience," said Mead.

Mead said the Columbia County Commissioners have provided a matching fund, which is 50 cents on the dollar for the $10,000 the group raised themselves. "That showed their huge support," she said.

With Marcene Hendricksen's grant-writing skills, Fair Board cooperation, and marketing and participation by the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, the priorities for improving the fairground facilities are becoming a reality, Mead said.

One of the hardest workers has been Mead, herself. She said she spends about 20 hours each week working on fairgrounds projects. She is also handy with a paint brush.

The horse stalls recently received a fresh coat of paint, along with other upgrades, courtesy of a $1,000 award from PacificCorp. Mead said she pressure-washed the stalls. Then County Maintenance Director Dave Finney applied a coat of "barn" red paint to the exterior of the building. Mead painted the trim.

Now, the stalls, numbering 30 in all, can be marketed and used, she said.

Mead said "barn" red, with minimal white trim, will be the go-to colors for all the facilities at the fairgrounds as improvements are made, working from west to east.

"This didn't deteriorate in a day," said Mead about the condition of the facilities. It will take time, but there will be improvements made to the grandstands, indoor and outdoor arenas, barns, jockey room and midway, so that at the end of the day, the community can be proud of its fairgrounds facilities, she said.

Mead said people are welcome to join with the Friends of the Fairgrounds. They meet on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at the American Legion Hall, at 211 E. Clay St. in Dayton.

To donate time, money or materials, contact the Friends of the Fairgrounds by email at: friendsofthefairgrounds@yahoo.com, or visit their website at friendsofthefairgr.wixsite.com/ columbiaco.