Columbia County Fair is a go

DAYTON–"The show will go on" is the choice of the Columbia County Fair Board last Wednesday, May 27.

The "show," however, may be limited.

The 2020 Columbia County Fair will be planned in stages–initially it will be an exhibition-only event, and Fair Board members are anticipating the relaxing of restrictions as the summer progresses, which should create additional flexibility for layering on more activities.

As of the May 27 meeting, the initial stage of the Fair will involve exhibitors and their family members involved in their projects, judges and fair personnel.

With information that Columbia County will soon be applying to move to Phase III, discussion centered around the likely probability that restrictions will be significantly lowered by the time the fair occurs on September 11, 12 and 13.

"I'm optimistic we'll be open at this time in September," said Matt Johnson, Fair Board President. "As we get closer, we'll add activities as allowed. I don't know if the public will be allowed to attend, so, instead of scaling back, let's scale up."

Following discussion, the Board opted to plan to allow exhibitors, exhibitor's family, judges and Fair personnel attend.

Sale Committee member Rhonda Barker confirmed to the Dayton Chronicle that a sale is assured. "How it is set up will be a work in progress," Barker said.

Entertainment Chairman Ty Lane has just one act booked; all others have forsaken the summer fair circuit because of widespread cancellations. Lane believes local talent could be recruited to play music and entertain, if possible by then.

Should restrictions be removed by August, discussion indicated that a rodeo and demo derby could be pulled together with a few weeks' notice.

Many fairs around the region with dates as late as August 25 have canceled, according to Donna Hanger, Fair Board member. Some fairs have established a way to hold a virtual fair; some are restricting participation to 4-H and FFA exhibitors. As of the meeting, the Walla Walla Fair and Pendleton Round Up decision makers had not made decisions. Benton-Franklin County's fair has acts and activities planned for its show August 25-29.

At the meeting, County Commissioner Chuck Amerein advised the Fair Board that declining revenue to Columbia County has prompted the decision to "mothball" the Fairgrounds this summer. The portion where horses are boarded remains open with power and water, but the middle section is cut off, Amerein said, which should save approximately $80,000. Operations at the adjacent golf course can essentially break even, so it will remain open this summer. The cost of required cleaning will make rental of the Pavilion or Youth Building cost-prohibitive, he added.