Special Edition • Morrow County Fair and Rodeo • Heppner Gazette-Times, Wednesday, August 3, 2011 - Page 19
County fair is a cultural tradition
The Morrow County
Fair is a celebration o f the
old fair tradition. Although
competition has always been
part of the annual event, it is
not the primary reason for a
county fair. Attendance and
exhibits at the fair are actually
about community, culture and
inspiration.
Participation in the
fair is the culture of Morrow
County, Oregon. Be a part of
this event. The county “fair”
has been acrowd pleasing event
since the days of the Roman
Empire. European cultures
stressed the meeting, sharing,
Join UEC in supporting the Morrow County Fair
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competing
and inspiring
benefits of coming together
during the days of the fair.
The Irish and the English, in
particular, enjoyed the joyful
friendly times of gathering for
this annual event. These same
European descendants became
the immigrants coming to
America and later the settlers
moving to Oregon Territory.
Traveling the long
and arduous route into Oregon
territory, Pioneers managed to
bring few precious possessions
in the wagons containing their
‘life’. Precious possessions
were defined as anything vital
to life in Oregon. A big iron
cook pot was a necessity,
occasionally
a
breeding
animal pair, blankets in the
form of handmade quilts,
dried and preserved food and,
most important of all, seeds to
grow the sustaining crop.
Starvation
was
one of the primary enemies
to pioneers.
Learning the
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Choose HEPPNER for FAM ILY FUN...
• Famous for our Oregon Trail Pro Rodeo and Wee Bit O’lreland
• Historic Buildings - Morrow County Courthouse Tours
•Year Round Fishing - Hunting - Camping - OHV Park
• Willow Creek R.V. Park - Boating
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• Willow Creek Golf Course
• Morrow County Museum
• Willow Creek Water Park
• Cycling and Hiking
• Relaxed Shopping
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676-5536
plants, trading seeds and
sharing knowledge about
crop development kept the
hunger from becoming a fatal
enemy. The secret and blessed
knowledge about medical
herbs and treatment of disease
was the most valued. After
the deadly enemies were
conquered, life enhancement
in the form of beauty and
comfort became important.
Appreciating
community
through art forms was the
pleasurable part o f the fair
attendance.
Any thoughts of
competition at the county fair
came about after basic needs
of life were satisfied. Earliest
forms of competition were
simply displays of excellence
for the benefit of the
community. Hence, biggest
bulls, fattest pigs and most
prolific chickens received
awards for their benefits to the
community. Utility and beauty
in the form of quilts created
from scraps were inspiring in
a life with few possessions.
As you make plans to attend
and participate in the 2011
Morrow County Fair, retain
the spirit of history brought to
Oregon by your forefathers.
Come enjoy the
parade
Experience our country feeling....
P.O. Box 1232 • Heppner, Oregon 97836
e-mail: heppnerchamber@centurytel.net
www.heppnerchamber.com
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The parade will he held at 10:00
am on Saturday, August 20