Chelan County Fair 2014

The summer is just flying by. Already it is fair season. Living in a city like Wenatchee, which straddles two different counties; locals have the option of attending two different regional fairs. The North Central Washington District Fair in Waterville will take place August 21^st through 24^th and the Chelan County Fair will be held September 4^th through 7^th at the Chelan County Fair Grounds in Cashmere.

There will, of course, be the rides and the snack foods and the trinkets for sale. But more importantly will be the barns. The last two years, I have had the pleasure of working the veggie barn at the Chelan County Fair and have assisted folks in registering their prize produce into competition. What an amazing diversity of colors, textures, sizes and shapes. I love to see what grows well for people and to see their pride in their hard work. I would encourage anyone with an interest in gardening, flower tending, canning, baking or animals to enter an item or two at either or both events this year. It can be a great thing to do as a family.

The Chelan County Master Gardeners will be present to accept items into registration and to answer questions at both fairs again this season. Entries for the Waterville Fair will be accepted Wednesday August 20^th from 1-8 PM.  By exhibiting at the fair, you are eligible for an ‘exhibitors pass’ at a discounted rate. Information on what is appropriate for entry and a map of the Waterville fairgrounds is available in the NCW Premium Book at the following link http://www.douglascountywa.net/ncwfair/docs/Premium-Book-2014.pdf . Please note that animal entries are due earlier than produce and flowers.

Entries for the Chelan County Fair will be accepted Wednesday September 3^rd from 9 AM-8 PM. Again, exhibitors are eligible for a reduced entry into the fair. The premium book for the Chelan County Fair is available at the following link http://www.co.chelan.wa.us/fa/data/exhibitor_guide.pdf

Even if you have a small garden, only a single dahlia plant or have made just one batch of cherry jam this summer, please consider participating in this annual celebration of the harvest. Traditionally, county fairs have been a great way to come together as a community and celebrate the joys of our agricultural heritage. Without participation by all of us, a fair dies and with it dies both the memories and the knowledge of the skills that have made us who we are today. And, taking home a blue ribbon now and again can be pretty fun too!