Columbia County Fair this weekend at Fairgrounds

By Loyal Baker

DAYTON–The 136th edition of the Columbia County Fair will highlight those "Buckles, Boots and Rodeo Chutes," highlighting those traditional symbols of one of the fair's annual attractions–the rodeo–when it gets underway this weekend, Friday through Sunday, September 6-9, at the Columbia County Fairgrounds.

Fair Hostesses Cedar Stegall, Makayla Mikesell, Alyssa Hollingsworth and Sara Ann Wilson invite everyone to partake of the activities, entertainment and fun events planned for this year's Fair, open daily from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m., including another round of a crowd-favorite Farmer Olympics, a Jackpot Rodeo, Demo Derby and a fair-opening flag ceremony in which new flag poles will be introduced.

Looks like Mother Nature will be cooperating, according to the National Weather Service. Friday is forecast to be sunny and hot with a high near 98° F. Rodeo-goers Friday night shouldn't get too chilly and temperatures are supposed to be in the upper nineties on Saturday and Sunday.

Three-day fair passes will be $25 for adults, $12 for seniors and juniors (ages 7-12), with six and under admitted free. A single, durable wrist band will be given that must be kept on throughout the weekend. Single-day admission is available with a hand stamp required for re-entry to the fairgrounds.

Watch for another rendition of an event introduced last year: Farmer Olympics. Teams are required to register to participate. Farmers and townsfolk from around the county can team up to compete for cash prizes in Sunday afternoon's Farmer Olympics. Entrants must be 18 or older and teams of four must register by 5 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Fair office, or by calling Tracy Hanger at 509-540-2809.

Events include the Swine Showdown, Straw Shot Put, Holy Cow, Egged On, Get the Sheep to Sleep, Broken Buckets, Pie in the Sky, and Rancher's Relay.

At 8 a.m. on opening day, Friday, September 6, there will be a flag-raising ceremony which will highlight two new flag poles in addition to the pole for the stars and stripes. Flagpoles were donated by Barker, Inc., and will fly the 4-H and FFA flags. Members of the Frank E. Bauers American Legion Post No. 42 will raise the American flag and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Flags representing 4-H and FFA will include 4-H members reciting the 4-H Pledge and FFA members reciting the FFA Creed. Skylar McCann will sing the National Anthem.

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 AgWest Farm Credit, with donations welcome.

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.

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

Saturday will be full of livestock showing, culminating at 2 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 9 a.m., courtesy of the Touchet Valley Ministerial Association. The Livestock Market Sale will be at 12 noon and the Ice Cream Social, sponsored by the Fair Board, starts at 2:30 p.m. That's also just ahead of the Farmer Olympics in the Outdoor Arena.

Midway entertainment this year include Eric Haines Funmanband, including his one-man band, Bandwagon and stilt characters. Ventriloquist Jerry Breeden will perform with his Strolling Puppets and Oldies Rock & Roll. Smiles the Clown will be tying balloon animals and etc.

Long-time food vendors from the Dayton Lions Club, Dayton Kiwanis Club and Columbia County 4-H Clubs, will be joined by R & B Barbecue, Vikki's Sweet Shoppe, Raspados Garcia, Genie's Caterin, Hinderer Concessions and a Taco Truck. Smith Craft will be a vendor showing three-dimensional printed items, wood items, knoves, rocks and minerals and custom vinyl items and jewelry. Shaelyn Jenkins will be face painting and be around the Kid Zone and Old McDonald's Farm.

A few musical performers have been signed to sing and play their instruments, showcasing their talents along the Midway at various times.

The Fair Board includes Matt Johnson, president; Tracy Hanger, vice president; Donna Hanger, Secretary/Treasurer; Directors-Rose Engelbrite, Tracy Hanger, Emmalee Cole, Dawn Rodriguez and Donna Hanger. Hostess chaperone is Josilyn Fullerton.