Various fundraising ideas considered for County Fair

POMEROY–A raffle or lottery for RV dry camp spaces was suggested to raise funds for the Garfield County Fair, with any plan subject to County Commissioner approval, the Garfield County Fair Board discussed recently. It was suggested to let people buy as many raffle tickets as they wanted if it was a fund-raiser.

Lisbeth Randall of WSU/Garfield County Extension told the group she has already had some calls to the Extension Office to reserve RV spaces for fair time next year, and there are some people who have reserved the same spots for years. She thought there should be a more equitable way to determine who got the spots and suggested possibly auctioning off the spaces available as a fund-raiser.

Randall clarified that these are not the RV spaces with hook-ups, as income from those spots does not go to the fair, but to the county. All fair money received from RVs come from the “dry” campers.

Randall also mentioned she hadn’t taken any names yet this year and had been telling callers that the fair board hasn’t decided how it’s going to be handled. She asked the group for their thoughts regarding how to offer information about these spaces.

Board President Sara Lunsford asked the group how they envisioned developing the RV spaces into fair and equitable opportunities for people—raffle or auction. No decision was made and the matter was tabled until next month’s meeting. She added she needs feedback so she can take it to the commissioners.

David Ruark, Eastern Washington Agricultural Museum (EWAM), pointed out that some people have different electrical needs. Lisbeth Randall wondered about people purchasing a space. “There are twelve spots that rent for $22 a day and “all twelve spaces are hot items,” said Randall. “You’d have to set a price; for example, $75 or $100 for all three nights,” and limiting the number of spots per person.” Lunsford stated she was thinking more like $22 for a chance to win a spot. Ruark recommended when talking to the commissioners to explain why the change was being made. Field thought if the commissioners were not comfortable with a raffle perhaps an “early booking” fee could be instituted.

Possibly increasing ticket prices for the fair was discussed next. Randall has tried contacting several nearby fairs to find out what they charge. The Columbia County fair offers a three-day pass “that gets you into everything” for $22, or $10 for seniors. Nez Perce County has a $25 one-day family pass covering two adults and up to four children Randall would like to get the prices from several more fairs and will work up a spreadsheet showing the prices of these nearby fairs, as well as our current prices, which she will email to board members to review.

Many suggestions were received in response to the fair theme contest. A list of those will be emailed to board members and they will have until 5 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19, to vote for their choice. Lundsford will announce the winner after that.

The has experienced a slow visitor’s season, but donations are still coming in. Ruark, said things have been slow, only occasionally showing visitors through, and there was not really much going on “up there” lately. However, a horse-drawn potato digger made in Spokane has been donated; the first patent on the machine was applied for in 1910 and it was approved in 1913. EWAM has also been offered a fully restored CASE tractor from the early 1900s. Ruark wrapped up his report saying that all EWAM meetings have been canceled until January.

The next board meeting will be held via teleconference on December 15, 2020, at 7 p.m.