The Fair board set the Grant County Fair & Rodeo date for the next three years as the fourth week/weekend in August at their meeting on September 18. The 2007 dates are August 21-26. By setting the date for a three year time period, the residents of Grant County can plan accordingly.

The Fair board came to their decision after reviewing some of the topics listed below:

1. How many other fairs and rodeos are in August that we would have to compete with for entertainers, vendors, stock contractors, contestants, and carnivals?

a. The first weekend in August has seven fairs and three rodeos, the second weekend in August has eight fairs and three rodeos, and the third weekend in August has six fairs and three rodeos. The fourth weekend in August has only the Grant County Fair & Rodeo and the rodeo in Goldendale.

2. Is the carnival important to the success of the Fair and what dates is a carnival available?

a. The carnival this year and in previous years has sold at least $30,000 worth of carnival passes, which equates to about 2,200 passes. Certainly, this is an indication that youth and families in our county do want to have a carnival at the fair and that the carnival is important to our attendance.

b. Only two carnivals in Oregon have open dates for August. Cascade Amusements, the carnival we had this year, has fourth week available in 2007. Another carnival has the first weekend in August open.

3. How does the fourth week/weekend impact the 4-H and FFA?

a. It will be difficult for the 4-H and FFA students to participate at the State Fair (except possibly in 2009) as this date is the first week of the State Fair.

b. The County Extension Agent has to hold a pre-fair for the 4-H static exhibits.

4. What are the conflicts with the schools?

a. Sports daily doubles has started.

b. Some of the outlying school districts may start the fourth week. This year, to accommodate the school calendar, 4-H and FFA students changed the weigh-in day from Tuesday to Wednesday afternoon. This change did create a busier schedule for the students with livestock.

5. How important is the date for the Rodeo?

a. As there was only one other rodeo in Goldendale, WA this weekend, we had more rough stock contestants than most other rodeos this year in Oregon, plus a standing room only crowd both nights. The announcer had a great PA system and kept the rodeo moving and the 2005 NPRA clown of the year kept the audience engaged with his humor.

b. We can get the stock contractor, announcer and clown again the fourth weekend in August, but they are committed to other rodeos the previous weekends in August.

6. What date works best for our open class exhibitors?

a. At the Superintendents meeting held after the Fair, the superintendents were unanimous in supporting the fourth week/weekend for Fair. The fruits, vegetables and flowers displays were larger than they have been in some time.

After reviewing this information, the Fair-board selected the fourth week/weekend as the date for the Fair & Rodeo.