As staples of farming communities, granges are places where the community can gather for events and celebrations.
The Sharon Grange — located at 912 S. Bank Road in Oakville — has a particularly special celebration scheduled for later this month.
On Saturday, Sept. 23, community members are invited to the grange’s centennial anniversary celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring live music, a barbecue, games, a raffle or auction and more, according to an email from Sharon Grange Lecturer Debbie Hill.
Music will be performed by the local band The Country Four and More, and the barbecue will feature hamburgers, hot dogs and traditional picnic sides, Hill said.
Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP by Sunday, Sept. 17, so event organizers can prepare properly. RSVPs can be sent to sharongrange100@gmail.com or made by calling Hill at 360-490-4988.
Originally the Porter Grange number 800, the Sharon Grange was founded on Aug. 3, 1923, with 22 charter members.
“Grange members originally met on the Porter side of the Chehalis River, but soon found the Sharon School ‘across the river’ became available to move into and thus changed their name to Sharon Grange,” Hill said.
Since its founding, the Sharon Grange has been involved in multiple local, state and national activities while serving the community, including its annual oyster dinner.
“The Sharon Grange is often known for its annual oyster feed that takes place in the spring and has been attended by people from all over Western Washington, including many from Lewis County,” said Hill.