Walla Walla livestock sale won't happen in 2020

WALLA WALLA-The Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days board of directors discussed the livestock sale, among other items at the last fair board meeting.

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days was canceled in early June. Shortly following the cancellation announcement, the board of directors began exploring options for a virtual livestock sale. The board quickly learned that the Fair was unable to host a sale for a multitude of reasons. In years past, the livestock sale at the Frontier Days has seen over 300 market animals sold, and many exhibitors that were planning to sell this year had already begun raising an animal in anticipation of the livestock sale.

Arch McHie, longtime FFA advisor and Frontier Days supporter, stepped up to try and organize the virtual sale but was met with overwhelming roadblocks. McHie felt that it was ultimately a communication issue that caused most of the issues. He thought that communication and support disappeared at the last moment, though McHie expressed that he is available to help exhibitors connect with buyers if they need it.

Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days was unable to host a virtual sale, but members of the board had said they would be willing to work outside of their roles as board members and offered their help and advice as it was needed. Many board members expressed that they had received little communication from those involved with the sale efforts.

Both 4-H and the National FFA Organization announced that no events could be held until counties reach Phase 4 of the respective reopening plans. If a sale were to be held, even virtually, before phase 4, there could be no 4-H or FFA affiliation.

The organizations were also unable to provide individual exhibitor contact, because the majority of exhibitors, especially the 4-H participants, are minors. Debbie Williams, Walla Walla County 4-H director, has been helping connect 4-H leaders with McHie so he can get a better idea of how many exhibitors need a buyer for their animal.

"There was a tremendous amount to do," Commissioner Todd Kimball said at the meeting. "It was not impossible to get it done in that short amount of time, but there was no doubt that it would be extremely difficult." Commissioner Kimball expressed that he did not think it was a board failure from either the Fair board or the commissioner board, but it was uncharted territory, and no one really knew what to expect.

"The kids need to get their animals sold, and it looks like that will happen," Commissioner Kimball said. "In the big picture, what we all wanted to happen will happen, just not the way we had hoped."

If 4-H leaders in Walla Walla County need help connecting their kids with buyers, Debbie Williams can be reached at dmoberg@wsu.edu.