A10 LOCAL Wallowa County Chieftain Wednesday, June 9, 2021 Planning, preparations being made for Wallowa County Fair Restrictions that limited last year’s fair deemed unlikely By ANN BLOOM For the Wallowa County Chieftain ENTERPRISE — Although still weeks away, the Wallowa County Fair is fast approaching and will be here before we know it. And, just like Uncle Sam did during World War II, your fair wants you. The fair wants your canned peaches, your paint- ings and photographs, pick- les and quilts, your hobby displays, fl owers and plants, cakes, cookies, eggs and pies, your lettuce, beets and cabbages. If you think you don’t have anything to enter into the fair, you’re wrong. Everyone has something that could be turned into a fair exhibit. And, although the fair isn’t until the sec- ond week of August it is not too late to start thinking and planning. The theme for this year is: “Making It Happen — Wallowa County Fair 2021.” “Whatever your interest, we have a place for you at the fair,” said Tera Elliott, fair board offi ce manager. The fair, which this year is Aug. 6-14, was markedly diff erent last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cloverleaf Hall exhibits were canceled, but accord- ing to Wallowa County Fair Board Chairwoman Brinda Stanley, the Wallowa County community can look forward to a fair that is back to being what it was prior to the pandemic. “We were so thankful that we were able to hold our sized-down fair last year, but I foresee us being bigger this year than last. We learned a lot from last year and made some changes that we agree will be carried forward this year,” she said. One new feature this year is the Cloverleaf Walk. This is the lane leading from the Get All Your Needs Met! 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The Wallowa County Farmers Market will be set up along the lane on Thursday, Aug. 12, and will feature crafts and fresh pro- duce. On Friday, a variety of collectible hot rod cars and old-time farm equipment will be on display. “This is a new thing we’re doing that we think will be a lot of fun,” Elliott said. Gail Hillock, who is the fair board secretary, also coordinates the open-class exhibits and entries for Clo- verleaf Hall. This is her fi fth year as the open-class coor- dinator. She said she hopes for a large number of entries since the open-class part of the fair was canceled last year. “The open-class aspect of the fair is for the public,” she said. “It’s always interesting to see what our local neigh- bors have been working on. Whether it’s photography, art, sewing, crafts, hobbies, baking, gardening and more, please enter your best and share it with the county.” Stanley said a lot was learned from last year’s fair, and some changes were made on how the fair was conducted, many of which June 7 - 13, 2021 Coleman Oil Wallowa Cardlock is NOW OPEN Carnival Thursday through Saturday udly Pro onsore d b y p S OF THE Kachira Phillips & Makenzie Polfer PRCA Rodeo & Pari-Mutuel Horse Racing Friday, June 11, 2021 @ 4 pm Saturday, June 12, 2021 @ 2 pm Sunday, June 13, 2021 @ 1:30 pm Precautions will be in place concerning COVID- 19, much as was the case last year. Much of the fair is out- side, which requires fewer mandates, Stanley said. Hand sanitizing and social distancing were practiced last year and if required this me ggest shot of the ga on bi e th t hi ay Gr da am Ja girls basketball te for the Enterprise . Gray scored 14 points in 21 Tuesday, June 1, 20 r rebound and putback with he d an e, rence the gam time was the diffe -38, er ov in ng ni ai m 40 1:10 re feated Wallowa, as the Outlaws de to kick off a 2-0 week. Get your tickets now ONLINE at www.easternoregonlivestockshow.com or AT THE GATE COVID-19 still on the mind of organizers JADA GRAY always the first full week of june Ed Miller Xtreme Bull Riding Thurs, June 10, 2021 @ 6:30 pm will be done again at this year’s fair. “The fair schedule will refl ect some of those changes, one being the Fat Stock Sale ran so nicely out- side that we will try to con- tinue that,” she said. year, she said that would be done. It is too early to say whether the food booth will be open to the public, she added. “We will take whatever actions are needed to have a great, but safe, fair. I am hopeful that when August comes, we can all know we are going to attend a very fun, family-oriented Wal- lowa County Fair,” Stanley said. However, both Elliott and Stanley mentioned that things may change if the state changes its mandates and protocols involving COVID-19 regulations. A county fair would not be a county fair without sheep, pigs, horses, beef and all the other assorted live- stock that go with it along with the youths needed to show them. The youth pro- grams of 4-H and FFA are a large part of what makes up the Wallowa County Fair. Debi Warnock, the Ore- gon State University 4-H/ family community health agent for Wallowa County, said things are looking pos- itive in terms of 4-H partic- ipation at the fair this year. “There will be an oppor- tunity for 4-H members to exhibit and show what they’ve learned this last year. They’ll be able to show their animals and exhibits,” she said. As of mid-May, she said she was looking forward to a full schedule at the county fair. She had also received word that youths will have the opportunity to show their animals and exhibits at the state fair in Salem later this year. “That is very exciting. Things are looking posi- tive,” she said. Elliott said anyone who plans to enter an exhibit in open class needs to come to the fair offi ce, located at the OSU Extension Service Offi ce, across from the Clo- verleaf Hall, to pick up an exhibitor tag (one tag per exhibit) and sign up for an exhibitor number (one num- ber per exhibitor). The offi ce is open between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Questions should be directed to the fair offi ce at 541-426-4097. Exhibits also carry premiums (cash amounts) for fi rst-, second- and third-place ribbons. Parade Friday @ 2 pm • Conveniently Located • Accepting all Major Credit/Debit and CFN Cards • Easily Accessible for Semi trucks, Campers and RV’s • Non-Ethanol Premium • 24/7 Fueling 71051 HWY 82 Wallowa, OR 97885 888-799-2000 www.colemanoil.com