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About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 20, 1976)
AUGUST 20, 1976 WARM SPRINGS, OREGON PAGE 3 A county fair for everyone The first thing one noticed Lhen entering the Jefferson ¡County Fairgrounds was the Abundance of little kids. Child- Ln squealing on the carnival Irides, talking. to Smokey the Bear, trying their luck at Lames of chance, poking cur iously at livestock, and all with Loney burning holes in their pockets. It is easy to assume kat county fairs are for kids. And to an extent that is true. Only kids enjoy feeling Lick from dizziness and too much cotton candy. And kids are the reason many adults attend the fair. good, especially in the flower show and photography exhibit. Warm Springs contributed significantly in several areas of the fair. This community boasts some prize-winning art ists, photographers,. relic col lectors ... and one intrepid cake-baker (see article else where about our editor’s new hobby). The Warm Springs 4-Hz club was also involved in live- stock judging on Thursday. And about a dozen people from Warm Springs performed tradi tional dances for the fair crowd Thrusday night. But one quickly learns that [a county fair has something for every age or interest. The ¡serious craftsperson, grower or [homemaker, as well as a cow- boy looking for thrills in the [rodeo arena can enjoy the fair as much as the kids. The [Jefferson County Fair main- tained its tradition of diversity this year during its week-long activities, and a variety of people flocked to participate. Highlights of the fair week Lere, as in years before: the [parade and barbecue on Satur day, the two-day rodeo and ¡rodeo dance, 4-H and FFA showmanship and animal sales, and the selection of the 1977 Jefferson County Queen and Court. The new queen is Lisa Nelson, daughter of the Robert [Nelsons“ of Madras, and her princess is Margo Friday, daughter of the Warren Fri days also of Madras , Of special note this year was the dedication of the old ¡farmstead which is now com pletely furnished and decor ated; the opening of the cafe teria; and the return of 62 ¡former county ^queens and court members who came from as far as L.A. to join in the parade and queens’ luncheon. Ongoing exhibits, both open ¡and 4-H-sponsored, featured ¡crops, baked goods, flowers, ¡various handicrafts including needlework and macramé, and puch art forms as drawing, painting and photography. Par ticipation was reportedly quite erent areas of the fair. For instance, Ms. Macy, in addition to being chairman, specifically oversees the 4-H and FFA ac tivities and the Rodeo Court. Others are in charge of ad vertising, rodeo, open class exhibition, construction and grounds, premium books and the many other components of the fair. Funding for the county fair comes from three sources: the county, which contributes a percentage of the taxes (amounting to around $838 this year), gate receipts, and the Oregon Racing Commission. This last source is a tricky one because the amount of funding depends on a yearly rating of the fair on a point System by representatives of the com mission. The judges usually look favorably on the Jefferson County Fair in its small fair classification. JOHN AND ELI MILLER of Warm Springs enjoy some of the county fair livestock. Photo by Cynthia D. Stowell The Fair Board is looking forward to even more partici pation by Warm Springs next year so that it might be a truly county-wide fair. Planning a fair How does an annual county fair, which so many take for granted, become a reality? Year-long planning and pre parations are carried out by scores of people, most of whom are volunteers. Fair Board Chairman Marie Macy ex plained the behind-the-scenes efforts of the board and the many others involved. The five-member board in cludes Ms. Macy, Carol Alley (vice-chairman), Vic Suratt, Helmer Wallan, and Chuck Simmelink. The secretary Audrey Ditmore and the grounds managers Jake and Irene Lappin, who work closely with the board, are the only people who receive pay for their work. Each board member, who is appointed by the County Commissioner for a three-year term, is responsbile for diff SMOKEY THE BEAR chats with the Courtneys, from Warm Springs. Photo by Cynthia D. Stowell The fair has changed over the years with the moving of the location, the addition of buildings and the expansion of events and exhibits. Next year Chairman Marie Macy hopes for even more improvements. A more elaborate Senior Citi zens Day,'including a talent show, picnic, musical enter tainment and contests, might be in the offing. The amount of prize moneÿ awarded may in crease. And more exhibits and more participation are the con tinuing goals of the Fair Board. This year’s fair was cer tainly fun for the kids. But it also represented the efforts of many interested adults who by their contributions provided a good time for everyone. FROSTING THE CAKE Is really the most fun part as this novice baker (Sid Miller) discovered. Sid was the only male to enter a cake in the Jefferson County Fair. Photo by Sandy Rangila W a
