Page 6 - Morrow County Fair & Rodeo - August 8, 1990
Diversity of fair showcases Morrow Co.
4-H enrollment remains high
pride, productivity
So far 141 project members have
enrolled in Home Economics; 59 in
Creative Arts; 199 in Livestock and
Horse; and 20 in Games. Hor
ticulture. Mechanical Science,
Natural Resources and Small Animal
project members will also participate
in the 1990 Morrow County Fair.
4-H project members enrolled by
June 1, 1990 are able to participate
in fair 4-H events and contests.
By Merlyn Robinson
Fairs showcase an area’s produc
tivity. Along with agriculture and
forestry products, exhibits also
display the diverse talents of its
residents.
Morrow County’s fair dates back
to 1912. And county pride is the
motivation for the volunteer efforts
that continue to make each county
fair a memorable event.
The first fair in Heppner was held
on north Main Street where the city
park, library and museum building
now are located. Records show there
were 200 entries and no premium
money was paid.
A large round fair pavilion at this
location was built by ranchers and
other volunteers. When the fair was
not in progress, the building was us
ed for dances and roller skating.
The present site of the fairgrounds
on Hinton Creek became a perma
nent facility in 1939. It was then that
that county traded the former city
il7«7i7t
106 E May Ave.
676-9961
block on Main Street to the city of
Heppner in exchange for the former
Civilian Conservation Corps head
quarters adjacent to the rodeo field.
Old barracks buildings were con
verted into exhibit halls. But through
the years, permanent buildings and
barns replaced these wooden
structures.
In 1952, a large cinder-block
building was constructed, to be
known as the pavilion. The adjoin
ing annex building and the dormitory
building were built later. Before the
construction of the steel livestock
bam in 1965, the existing open shed
livestock bams caught fire and were
reconstructed by volunteers just two
weeks prior to fair.
In the late 60s the wooden grands
tand adjacent to the highway was
replaced with a steel and concrete
structure. Other additions were
horse box stalls, cyclone fencing and
the drilling of a well.
From 1923 through 1930, the
Morrow County Extension agent
Sharon Dawn to emcee talent contest
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1990
Morrow County
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We will deliver it to you cut,
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wrapped, and frozen.
676-5150
Len Ray & Pat
Schwarz
Master of Ceremonies for the
1990 Morrow County Fair and
Rodeo Amateur Talent Show will
once again be Sharon Dawn of
Milton-Freewater, emcee for last
year’s contest.
The talent show will be held
Thursday, August 16 at 7 p.m. En
try deadline is August 14. Entry
forms should be returned to the Mor
row County Fair, P.O. Box 464,
Heppner or dropped by the fair
office.
Cash prizes will be awarded for
the first three places in each
category—six and under; 7-12;
13-17; and 18 and over. There are
also special categories for small
groups and out-of-county contests.
Acts may be individuals or small
groups and are limited to six minutes
or less. A pre-audition may be held
prior to Aug. 14. Winner of the
talent show will perform at the
Oregon State Fair Aug. 25.
Judges are the Morrow County
Fair and Rodeo Queen and Court.
Almost anything goes as far as
talent is concerned—musical
numbers, dance routines, tumbling
or lip sync numbers, just to name a
few. Fair secretary Darlene Scrog
gins says that some entries are in, but
more are needed, so dust off those
blue jeans and shine those boots and
we’ll see you on center stage.
took responsibility for putting on the
fair. County agent Nels Anderson,
now retired, served many years in
this capacity. Under mandate of
legislation, the county court ap
pointed a three-person Fair Board.
The Fair Board was later expanded
to five people, with Jane Rawlins,
Heppner, being the first woman to
serve on the board.
The funding of a fair and the year-
around operation of the grounds is
now supported by revenues from
racing receipts. State legislation
came about in 1933. The apportion
ment of revenues has fluctuated ac
cording to racing funds received.
The base amount for each fair and
festival was set at $22,000 in 1969.
Additional racing funds are now
distributed to approved fairs under
the merit rating system County Fair
Commission members evaluate each .
fair. Money is awarded to each fair
according to that fair’s rating
through a point system.
While space is limited for expan- •
sion of the Morrow County
Fairgrounds and there is a growing
demand for multiple usage each fair
somehow accommodates an enlarg
ed amount of exhibits.
Open class exhibits from
homemaker skills to crafts and
flowers, along with 4-H and FFA
exhibits, are an integral part of Mor
row County’s annual fair.
Julie
VAN MARTER
& KAHL
INSURANCE
^====IHC.
Cindy
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405 W. Main Street
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