County Fair gate prices to increase

POMEROY–The Garfield County Fair Board (GCFB) approved increased fair ticket prices for one-day passes to: Senior–$5; Adult–$8; and Three-day passes to: Single–$15; and Family–$30, at the last meeting on December 15. Sara Lunsford, GCFB President, will present the changes for approval at the next Garfield County Commissioners meeting on December 21.

The GCFB compared ticket prices of nearby fairs: Asotin County Fair, Columbia County Fair, Nez Perce County Fair, Palouse Empire Fair and Walla Walla County Fair and concluded Garfield County needed to increase ticket prices across the board.

Lunsford advised the fair board, after a discussion with the County Commissioners on December 14, the revenue and operational expenses from the recreational vehicle (RV) parking spots at the fairgrounds will go to the fair account. Pricing and dealing with the reservations of RV spaces will be the board's decision.

The fair board then approved raising off-season RV camping spots to $30 per night and peak season, May 31–October 31 to $40 per night.

The board approved June 1 as the date to begin accepting reservations for RV spaces for fair weekend on a first-come, first-served basis, and require a non-refundable deposit of fifty percent down, paid within two weeks to confirm reservation and the remainder due by September 1. Reservations can be made in person or by phone at the Extension Office. A waiting list will be kept in the event of a cancellation.

To ensure updated membership records, the board approved sending a "letter of commitment" to all members on January 1 of each new year, explaining membership expectations and requirements.

David Ruark of the Eastern Washington Agricultural Museum said visitation was down but various projects are being handled during the winter months. He also acknowledged Lisbeth Randall, Garfield County Fair Board Treasurer, for her part on the board, recognizing this may be her last meeting in her current position.

Randall reported a $500 donation from Puget Sound Energy at the December 15 Garfield County Fair Board meeting.

The next meeting of the fair board will be on January 19, 2021.