A proposed plan for the County Fair

POMEROY–The Garfield County Fair Board was informed that there is an approved in-person fair plan which conforms to State requirements and mandates.

The subcommittee working on arranging a market sale for the 4-H and FFA animals said they have come up with a Garfield County Health District (GCHD) approved plan that is in line with requirements set forth by the governor last Monday. The time block plan restricts the number of people present at a given time, with participants showing their animals, then leaving the show area. While the plan was "basically liked" by the GCHD, it was emphasized that if school shuts down due to a COVID-19 outbreak then these plans would also be shut down.

Larry Ledgerwood said the commissioners tentatively gave their approval to have buyers be there in person and invitations will be sent out to buyers. If buyers do not want to be present, arrangements can be made for the purchase of an animal on their behalf. As of now there is a local auctioneer for the sale. The committee is working on registration forms for each of the exhibitors. Ledgerwood suggested to integrate the introduction form normally given at the beginning of the sale with the registration form.

Ledgerwood stated there are three fair days: Thursday is weigh-in only, with no showing and no spectators; Friday is showing of lambs and hogs; and Saturday morning is fitting and showing of beef.

Martha Lanman of GCHD has stated a "no campers" policy, and Ledgerwood told the group there would be no designated camping and no food vendors. Exhibitors are to leave the showing area when not showing. However, he feels this would be easier to do if some campers are allowed on the grounds for people to wait in while not showing. He emphasized he is not arguing for overnight camping, but said a "landing pad" is what is needed.

Fair board president Sara Lunsford said they do have to take "no-temperature" (no fever) readings at the gate and more volunteers are needed.

Sheree Ledgerwood, Garfield County 4-H Program Coordinator, has written up a plan for the "still-life exhibits" (those displayed inside the buildings such as home economics, fine arts, fruits and vegetables, etc.) This plan would have people wanting to place an entry pull up to the door of the building in their cars and someone from inside the building would run out and take the exhibit in for them. Board president Lunsford thought perhaps these types of exhibits should wait until next year.

The Fair Board it was decided not to have still-life exhibits as usual, instead allow 4-H exhibits only. Sheree Ledgerwood said exhibits were the end-of-the-year final for the 4-H club member's projects.

The discussion questioned if it will be parents of members in these clubs to make it happen and Ruark said 4-H group leaders can verify whether students did complete their projects. Susie Bowles wondered if there would be enough people involved to set that up. Chris Field's was concerned the political logistics and implications of "having a fair while having a fair."

Van Vogt asked if the 2021 fair would include open class entries for 2020, as the premium book currently restricts entries only to items made since the previous year's fair. Lunsford said the premium book could be edited to accept entries created "from the day after the fair of 2019." Lunsford asked Van Vogt to contact her concerning the Facebook video.

Amy Van Vogt brought up the possibility of having a Facebook video for educational purposes of exhibits by local people. She said she had spoken with Sarah Scoggin, who indicated she would be willing to prepare a video for fair week.

Eastern Washington's Agricultural Museum (EWAM) representative David Ruark told the group about an upcoming story about one of the museum's old tractors in Antique Power Magazine compiled by contributing writer Candace Brown. Ruark mentioned the agricultural museum will not be open during the fair.