PORT TOWNSEND — Volunteers are sprucing up the Jefferson County Fairgrounds for the county fair in August.
“The amount of volunteers showing up and the energy of those who come out here to make it a great fair and fairgrounds is astonishing,” said Danny McEnerney, who became full-time fair manager on June 1, on Thursday.
“I’ve never worked anywhere where people just come in and say ‘how can I help?’”
Some areas are already in operation.
The campgrounds reopened to the public on June 27, with 80 fully renovated spaces.
A youth skate party drew some 60 children on July 1. A outdoor showing of the film “Babe” is planned soon, complete with a pen of real pigs nearby.
The horse arena has been completely redone, using a $25,000 grant from the state Department of Agriculture. The public arena can be used by anyone with a horse for $5.
The biggest event, the county fair, is returning in person Aug. 12-14 at the fairgrounds at 4907 Landes St. in Port Townsend.
“Our fair should be one that parents can sit on the grass and eat ice cream while knowing their kids are safe to have the run of the place,” said former fair manager Sue McIntire, adding that this is the jumping-off point for all planned activities.
Volunteers have been putting in thousands of hours, getting the mud drags race area and 4-by-4 obstacle track up to par.
Volunteers and fair employees are working to create the setting, but the jewels will be provided by those who live in Jefferson County, fair officials said.
“Perhaps not everyone knows this, but the purpose of a county fair is to show off all the amazing talents, inventions and achievements of our county’s youth, residents, farms and industries,” they said in a press release.
“We want to see your talents and achievements. Be it in art, animal husbandry, gardening, baking, etc., there is a place to show the world what you, at any age, have to offer,” the release continued.
McEnerney invited all to enter for cash prizes and ribbons.
“We want to see what you can do and show it off and celebrate,” he said.
This year’s theme of “Lookin’ Back and Movin’ On” means keeping the best of the fair’s history while eyeing the possibilities ahead, fair officials said.
“With a focus on family and youth and an old-time country vibe, this year’s fair will have all the things people love about the Jefferson County Fair while inviting new ideas for the future,” according to a press release.
Fair hours will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 12-13, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 14.
Tickets range from $2 to $8 with children younger than 5 admitted free. A salmon barbecue is planned from noon to 3 p.m. that Saturday and a beef barbecue is set the next day from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Three-day tickets are $17 and include Sunday’s beef barbecue.
Pre-sale tickets will be available soon online and at the Jefferson County Fair Office.
The 2022 Jefferson County Fair is sponsored by Franson Trucking and Excavating, Les Schwab Tire Center, Aleta Groenig – Coldwell Banker and Redcrow Artworks.
To enter an accomplishment in the fair, become a vendor or a sponsor, or to learn more and get advance tickets, visit jeffcofairgrounds.com or call 360-385-1013.
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Executive Editor Leah Leach can be reached at 360-417-3530 or at lleach@peninsuladailynews.com.
