Photo by Sally Kunke Diantha Wielepp helps out at the fairgrounds in preparation for this year's fair.
From cattle, to flowers, to cabbage, to art, tomusic… the
By GEORGE KUNKE
Exciting interesting exhibits, diversified entertainment and nationally-known music, an increase in animals of all breeds, especially the cuddly type, bigger livestock, kids art, professional art, big vegetables, beautiful flowers, …There’s also a new stage, paid for by the Great Northwest Federal Credit Union. A vintage carriage from the Northwest Carriage Museum will be on display. Greek food, that could only mean gyros. And, oysters, yes, oysters, fried, and on the shell, are back. Yes! This year’s fair is something to get excited about!!
Since taking over as Pacific County fair manager several months ago, Scott McDougall has put into motion the Quilts and Roses, Tails and Noses theme that has generated a positive buzz throughout the fairgrounds.
“It’s going to be a fun place to be with a lot of stuff going on,” McDougall said. “There’s going to be great livestock auctions. This is a good place to be. We’ll definitely have more animals this year. We have good numbers in the cow barn. There are lots of pigs and more rabbits than we’ve had in years. The Olson Timberline Ranch is bringing in a prize steer.”
McDougall said he’s proud of all the volunteer work people have donated to making this year’s fair something the community can look forward to.
“The support we’ve gotten from volunteers has been absolutely phenomenal,” McDougall said. “We couldn’t do it without the volunteers. I’m really proud of the volunteers. We have just a huge group of people that are really proud of their community and want to make it shine.’
New $10,00 Stage
“Things have gone really well. We’ve accomplished a lot over the past eight months. We have a new stage – thanks to the generosity of the Great Northwest Federal Credit Union. The fair will carry their name on the stage for the next 10 years.” The credit has purchased the name rights for the stage. The new stage has a 16’ by 20’ platform and it cost $10,000.
McDougall said the fair staff (primarily about 350 volunteers and is shooting for a seating capacity of about 1,500.
Fairgoers have reason to get psyched about this year’s entertainment. “I’m really excited about the acts we have coming,” McDougall said. “We will have good entertainment every day.”
“I’m really pleased and really happy that our commercial building is full,” McDougall said. “We will have some new attractions. There’s some great craft stuff, some great new products. We have really interesting and diverse things.”
Kids will love Karen Quest, who performs a unique Western Comedy Act featuring trick roping, whip cracking, and comedy. Quest also performs on stilts as "Lucky Starr" – an eight-foot tall cowgirl. Quest will perform three shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. “She’ll be wandering the fairgrounds on stilts and will be on stage,” McDougall said. “She has a lot of audience participation. It’s a new unique thing for us.”
At The Wild West Arts Convention in Las Vegas, Quest won the Comedy Award for "The All Cowbell Orchestra" routine.
Stoddard & Cole, who have performed with The Beach Boys, Pat Boone, and The Oakridge Boys, to name a few, have been performing their unique brand of comedy and musicianship for over three decades. They performed at the Puyallup Fair in 2011.
“Stoddard and Cole is a very funny music comedy group,” McDougall said. “People are going to like them.”
Another highlight at the fair will be The Coats. “The Coats are the premier cappella band in the Northwest. They’ve performed for the president (Bush) and they’ve performed all over the United States.” The Coats have also been on Jay Leno and have shared the spotlight with Trisha Yearwood, The Beach Boys and Eddie Money. The foursome intensely blends comedy and music with syncopated arrangements.
Local Elvis artist, Jason Whited, will perform his excellent classic renditions of Elvis on Thursday and Friday.
Also performing will be Scott Krippayne, a Christian singer/songwriter, who has been featured on Extreme Home Makeover. Local hard rock back Anitize will also perform.
Two men will be building flutes and selling flute Mayan culture music. “It’s spectacular music,” McDougall said.
Nisbit Oysters and the Willapa Harbor Growers Shellfish Association will be serving oysters. The Chinooks will smoke salmon and many of the food vendors from years past will be serve quality food, including the Kiwanis Club, New Life Fellowship, and the Willapa Valley Booster Club to name a few.
McDougall said the carnival would be the same that it has been for the past several years. “It’s a good company and they take care of us. I’m happy with them.”
The Raymond Fire Department and Pacific County Sheriff’s Office will be conduct public safety displays.
The Pacific County Fair opens today at 9 a.m. and closes Saturday night at 11.
Editor’s Note: For the complete Fair Schedule please go online at hometowndebate.com and click on front page.