One of my favorite times of the year is the week of the Southwest Washington Fair. County fairs are more than blue ribbons, midways and lemonade shakeups. Boy, do we have some good lemonade though.
The county fair tradition is woven into the fabric of nearly every American community. It presents opportunities for young people to foster life skills such as communication, leadership, goal setting, work ethic, responsibility and sportsmanship.
Community service and volunteer leadership are at the root of the success of the Southwest Washington Fair. Generations of our community leaders have been born out of the ideologies instilled in our youth and their families through their involvement in 4-H.
Many hands make light work is a living philosophy that accomplishes tasks beyond imagination. As I witnessed on opening day and will throughout the week, there are many hands making the fair such a success. Special thanks to Connie Riker, Ally Pickard, BJ Kuykendall, Bryan Porter, Sam Knudson, Brian Welch, Lee Bachler, Shelby Brown, Zane Smith, Pat Slusher Jr., Cory Moses, Becca Schelhaas, Sherry Gardner and all of the sponsors, vendors and volunteers who have been working around the clock to make sure this week is one to remember.
The electric atmosphere of the Southwest Washington Fair stimulates cultivation of a vibrant community. “Neon Lights and Country Nights” fits so well as this year’s theme.
People from throughout Lewis County and beyond are drawn together for a common cause: showcasing the achievements of our citizens, promoting our youth and having fun! Individual talents are employed toward the success of our whole community. Families take time to learn together, sharing in life lessons and building new skills. Cross country relationships are developed, broadening perspectives and intermingling experience. Longtime friendships are rekindled over new memories. Passing the 4-H kids in the barn tonight and watching their routines brought me joy.
Don’t just dismiss this year’s fair as another entertainment option. Certainly, the affair will have a positive economic impact, but more importantly, the influence on catalyzing community development will have a longer lasting stimulus. Immerse yourself in the community building and leadership development opportunities at the fair to discover the real impacts it has on our community.
Also, now more than ever, we need agricultural advocacy. The Southwest Washington Fair is a great opportunity for people in agriculture to have a platform to share what they do and why preserving it is important.
The Southwest Washington Fair is a place like no other. Come see! The fair runs through 7 p.m. Sunday.
Leah Daarud
Centralia
