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A4 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017 COMMUNITY Morrow County faithful keep fair tradition alive Fair has gotten smaller, but continues to attract locals By JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN STAFF WRITER The Morrow County Fair, in its 104th year, start- ed on Wednesday and, by Thursday was bustling with a crowd of locals, some of whom have been coming to the fair for a long time. “We were born and raised in Heppner,” said Sandra Blanke, who was there with her brother and sister-in-law Gary and Doris Jones. “We entered in the fair when we were growing up. Our grand- ma often won blue ribbons.” Many of the longtime res- idents of Heppner said the fair has continued to attract a faithful crowd of locals, but acknowledged that it’s smaller than when they fi rst started attending — like the town of Heppner itself. “The population differ- STAFF PHOTO BY E.J. HARRIS Janae Warren, 9, of Vancouver, Wash., holds a La Mancha/ Boer cross goat kid at the Morrow County Fair in Heppner. ence from when we were growing up, it’s probably a third of what it used to be,” Blake said. But they noted that pro- grams like FFA and 4-H were still going strong, thanks to the parents and teachers who keep them going. One of those 4-H students is Heppner resident Faith Futter, 11, who entered two pigs in the fair. This year was her fi rst experience showing animals, and she said she had learned quite a bit from the experience. “I decided to show to start saving money for college,” Futter said. “And I just love (pigs). They’re cute.” Futter’s two pigs, Bubba and Lily, won red ribbons at the fair. Futter said she was hoping for blue, but was OK with the outcome. She said she learned a lot about the care of the animals — and that they often have a mind of their own. “I like how they have different personalities,” she said. “They can be very playful, or rude.” Ashley Price, 16, had been showing animals for a few years, but hoped this year would net her some top prizes for her steer, Midnight. The Boardman resident was busy spraying her animal with medium ad- hesive and pro gloss, as he stood patiently in a blocking chute. “I love it,” Price said. “It’s a bigger animal, so it’s more challenging, but gives you a step into the real world.” Price said she hopes to continue raising steers once she graduates. People sat in the shade and ate lunch provided by the Bank of Eastern Oregon, whose staff volunteers to cook burgers and fries each year for fairgoers. Joycekay Hollomon sat with her great-grandchil- dren, who were visiting from Alaska, and took in the scene playing out in her hometown. She, too, noted the chang- es in the fair since she moved to Heppner 55 years ago. “The people here work very hard to hold it together and make it work,” she said. “A lot has changed,” Hol- lomon said. “It’s diminish- ing, for one. We don’t have nearly the interested popula- tion to keep the displays up. When I fi rst started coming here, we had a carnival.” She commended the fair organizers for what they’ve done in the last few years, with exhibits like a reptile show and a bounce castle to keep kids entertained. Hollomon said the fair has its own unique touch- es that keep people coming back. One, she said, is the rodeo. “Friday and Saturday night is the big rodeo,” she said. “But Sunday is strict- ly county. You have to be related or graduated from a school in the county to take part. It’s kind of unique, and very laid back. They start with the little-bitty kids. It’s kind of interesting if you have lots of people partici- pating, which I’m lucky to have a lot of.” Hollomon said through- out the years, she had helped out with various aspects of the fair, from 4-H sewing to supervising different events. Fair secretary Ann Jones said the fair had undergone some changes in the last few years with board members and technology, but the over- all event was consistent. “We have a few new peo- ple, but it’s mostly returning vendors,” she said. Jones said there were about 30 vendors this year, including a woman selling waffl es on a stick from Portland, and a lemonade stand from Cur- lew, Washington. Deputies from the Mor- row County Sheriff’s De- partment said they’d be patrolling the grounds all weekend, but this year would be unique. “It’ll be interesting to see people coming in from the eclipse crowd, looking for something to do,” said Dep- uty Glen Diehl. But he said so far, there had been no is- sues. “It’s a nice, quiet family atmosphere,” he said. Murder mystery skewers the host By TAMMY MALGESINI COMMUNITY EDITOR A delicious barbecue meal is featured during the upcoming murder mystery dinner theater event presented by Agape House. However, before the barbie even gets fi red up, a mate’s getting skew- ered. With an Australian barbecue theme, the menu features a choice of ma- ple bacon chicken or ro- tisserie pork loin. The meal, catered by Nookie’s restaurant, also includes corn on the cob, baked beans and coleslaw. The cost is $30 per person. “Bump Off at the BBQ” is Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at the Maxwell Sid- ing Event Center, 145 N. First Place, Hermiston. Guests are invited to enjoy the meal while at- tempting to crack the case before their chicken gets cold. It seems someone is as mad as a cut snake at Willy Willy, the host of the barbecue. There are at least 6 potential suspects all with a reason to want him dead. For tickets or more in- formation, call 541-567- 8774 or 541-571-7293. Printed on recycled newsprint VOLUME 111 ● NUMBER 34 Gary L. West | Editor • gwest@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4532 Tammy Malgesini | Community Editor • tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4539 Jayati Ramakrishnan | Reporter • jramakrishnan@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4534 Jade McDowell | Reporter • jmcdowell@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4536 Jeanne Jewett | Multi-Media consultant • jjewett@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4531 Shannon Paxton | Offi ce coordinator • spaxton@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4530 Audra Workman | Multi-Media consultant • aworkman@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4538 Dawn Hendricks | Circulation District Manager • dhendricks@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4540 STAFF PHOTO BY TAMMY MALGESINI Trish Rossell of Hermiston acted in a past murder mystery fundraising dinner. Agape House is hosting “Bump Off at the BBQ” Saturday at Maxwell Siding Event Center. To contact the Hermiston Herald for news, advertising or subscription information: • call 541-567-6457 • e-mail info@hermistonherald.com • stop by our offi ces at 333 E. Main St. • visit us online at: hermistonherald.com The Hermiston Herald (USPS 242220, ISSN 8750-4782) is published weekly at Hermiston Herald, 333 E. Main St., Hermiston, OR 97838, (541) 567-6457. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES Delivered by carrier and mail Wednesdays Inside Umatilla/Morrow counties .......... $42.65 Outside Umatilla/Morrow counties ....... $53.90 Periodical postage paid at Hermiston, OR. Postmaster, send address changes to Hermiston Herald, 333 E. Main St., Hermiston, OR 97838. Member of EO Media Group Copyright ©2017 A huge THANK YOU to the Hermiston area businesses and individuals that donated to the Hermiston Little League Junior Baseball Team! Junior Western Regional Tournament in San Jose, CA. w w w. h e r m i s t o n l i t t l e l e a g u e . c o m