EDITOR’S NOTE — Port Townsend-based independent multi-media journalist and videographer Jack Olmsted staffs Pacific Northwest festivals, parades and public events.
Here are four videos posted by Olmsted from the Jefferson County Fair, which continues today in Port Townsend:
1. Curly fries. Horse barn. What is the difference between a Western and English saddle? Flower Power. (Music used by permission: Dean Ratzman) — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxaX-5pO56w.
2. Touring the fair, from the Rock Club to the history of “keddle korn” — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULlIJgJ8CHY&feature=channel_video_title
3. The Veggie Hut, operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in uptown Port Townsend, provides a healthy option at the Jefferson County Fair — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awt03Ux37e0&NR=1.
4. After 3 years, the religious radio station KROH 91.1 FM will be launched over the next couple of days by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Port Townsend. The Christian radio programming is a combination of music, gospel and programs on parenting, marriage enrichment and health. Report from KROH’s booth at the fair — http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=_Ua5Ok71EEw.
By Charlie Bermant
Peninsula Daily News
PORT TOWNSEND — The flock will rock for one more day.
The Jefferson County Fair is heading into its third and final day, offering attendees a healthy dose of family fun.
And if the good weather holds, that will be a bonus.
“We had some little issues at the beginning having to do with food for the 4-H breakfast and a gate that wasn’t working,” said fair board President Bill McIntire on Friday afternoon.
“But right now, everyone is fat, fuzzy and happy.”
Accurate attendance figures won’t be available until the fair is over.
Anecdotally, McIntire feels attendance is good.
“While we don’t have any numbers, I’ve checked the parking lots, and they all look pretty full,” he said.
Vendors are fewer than in 2010, 75 compared with 105.
This year’s theme, “Rock the Flock,” is intended to reflect the tie-dye days of the late 1960s and 1970s, and the musical fare leans toward rock ‘n’ roll.
Exhibiting prize animals and plants are among the primary reasons for the fair, but fair food is an attraction — including elephant ears, cotton candy and a lot of other stuff that isn’t exactly good for you.
Vegan fair food
With this in mind, one of this year’s booths features vegan food in familiar hamburger and hot dog shapes.
“The reaction to this has been very positive,” said Greg Reseck, who is managing the booth.
“A lot of people in Port Townsend are very health-conscious, and they are grateful to have this option.”
Saturday events included draft horse pulls, a kids demolition derby and the always-popular salmon barbecue.
Also at the fair is the collection of oral histories by the Jefferson County Historical Society. People can stop in and provide their recollections about any topic.
Several county agencies use the fair to stay visible in the community.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office brought along a boat and an antique police car for kids to play on, and Jefferson Healthcare is distributing pedometers.
East Jefferson Fire-Rescue has opted for a more educational theme, setting up a propane burner that simulates an out-of-control fire that people can fight with a fire extinguisher.
The idea is to teach people how to use an extinguisher in an emergency.
“Everyone comes to the fair with a ‘trick or treat’ mentality,” said Bill Beezley, fire department spokesman.
“We thought we’d try to teach people something they can use.”
The fire originates from a gas burner, and the extinguisher uses compressed air instead of a chemical compound.
“This is a lot easier and less messy than using real fire extinguishers to train people,” Beezley said.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
