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
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