Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days is still scheduled for Labor Day weekend

WALLA WALLA—Walla Walla County commissioners met with fairgrounds General Manager Bill Ogg last Friday to discuss the viability of the 2020 Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days amid the pandemic.

Roughly 30 events scheduled at the Walla Walla Fairgrounds have been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in more than $30,000 in revenue loss. Commissioners are concerned that, if the fair goes on as scheduled, the event may not be successful enough to cover expenses.

Fair Manager Bill Ogg was confident that the Fair and Frontier Days could be held safely, and he argued that people in the Walla Walla area are ‘hungry for wholesome, social interaction,’ hoping the numbers would be close to previous years.

The commissioners made the decision to layoff four of the seven fairgrounds employees and halt seasonal and temporary hiring until a decision has been made. Ogg recommended that the commissioners wait until the end of June to reach a decision, however, commissioners Greg Tompkins and Todd Kimball think a decision may need to be made sooner. Along with financial concerns, commissioners are concerned about livestock exhibitors having successful shows and sales.

Currently, the Fair is scheduled for September 2-6. Ogg reported that the Fair’s headlining band, Chicago, is still willing to perform, and many of the other vendors and contractors are still willing to provide entertainment.

The commissioners are taking public comments via email at wwcocommissioners@co.walla-walla.wa.us.