Follow "Country Roads" to the Columbia County Fair!

DAYTON–Let "Country Roads Take You Home" to the 134th edition of the Columbia County Fair when it gets underway this weekend, Friday through Sunday, September 9-11, at the Columbia County Fairgrounds. There's plenty of activities, entertainment and fun events planned for this year's Fair, open daily from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m.

It should be a great weekend for following the Country Roads to Dayton. Friday is forecast to be sunny with a high of 82° F., according to the National Weather Service. Rodeo-goers Friday night shouldn't get too chilly, as the night's low is expected to be around 49°. It's supposed to be a little warmer on Saturday, a high of 88° and Sunday might be more toasty with a forecast high of 92°.

The 2022 Fair will have a different feel than in years prior to the pandemic, according to Matt Johnson, president of the Fair Board. This year, visitors with young children will find four Bouncy Houses for their enjoyment and many activities in the Kids Zone, in addition to the traditional sights, sounds and fair food.

"I think the Bouncy Houses will be a cool shift," Johnson said. "It's good to change up and focus more on the kids."

The past several years, a "Midway Stage" has been one of the centers of entertainment activity, but due to a combination of circumstances involving the lack of availability of entertainment and volunteers, the stage will take a bow, Johnson said. With the absence of the Midway Stage, most of the local musical entertainment will not appear this year.

Unfortunately, some of the Columbia County Fair's repeat attractions have either retired or did not sign to appear, Johnson said, noting that covid disrupted the county fair circuit.

The One-Man Zipper Band will offer strolling entertainment up and down the Midway each day. Long-time food vendors from the Dayton Lions Club, Dayton Kiwanis Club and Columbia County 4-H Clubs will be serving their usual fare.

Friday opens with a free fair breakfast with paid gate admission, courtesy of the Columbia County Cattlemen/Livestock Association. On Saturday, the fair breakfast is by donation to the Columbia County Marksman 4-H Club, and on Sunday, the Dayton FFA serves a complimentary breakfast, sponsored by the Northwest Farm Credit Services.

There'll be livestock judging in the morning on Friday.

Friday's premier event will be a one-night Jackpot Rodeo. It gets going with Mutton Bustin' at 5 p.m. and the rodeo gets underway at 5:30. It'll be a night packed with action, like steer wrestling, ranch bronc riding, bull riding, chute doggin', calf roping, team roping, breakaway roping and barrels. Don't miss the wild cow milking!

The Pavilion and Youth Building will be open daily for the public's enjoyment.

Saturday will be full of livestock showing, culminating at 3 p.m. with the Round Robin Competition, which pits the Grand Champions in Fitting and Showing of various breeds against one another.

Topping off Saturday's activities will be the Demolition Derby. The action gets going at 5 p.m. in the arena.

On Sunday, attend services in the Chicken Chapel at 10 a.m., then at midday, enjoy a barbecue lunch, served by Chicken Bill's Café and BBQ. The Livestock Sale gets underway at 1 p.m. and at 4 p.m., the Ice Cream Social, sponsored by the Fair Board, serves up creamy deliciousness.

Attendees are advised that the Fair's policy is to follow Washington State Department of Health mask guidelines.

The Fair Board includes Matt Johnson, president; Grant Griffen, vice president; Donna Hanger, Secretary/Treasurer; Directors-Rose Engelbrite, Tracy Hanger, Ty Lane, Mary Ann Ward, Donna Hanger.

See the Dayton Events and Activities Roster ad for the 2022 Columbia County Fair on Page 8 for additional details.