The 2002 Grays Harbor County Fair, “This Fair’s for Ewe,” was a smashing success by any standards. The total attendance was the second highest in the fair’s history, drawing 52,198 people! Major draws included Carolyn Dawn Johnson (who appeared on opening day), the Edgar Winter Band, Garratt Wilken & the Parrot Heads (performing a tribute to Jimmy Buffett), and the Fabulous Roadstars Jazz Band. We welcomed back fan favorites such as the Elma Speedway Auto Racing, JP Patches & Gertrude, Jest in Time Clown Theatre, the Talent Show, and the Mr. Potato Head Contest and added some exciting new attractions like the OMSI Hands-On Science Festival and.International Championship Wrestling. Thanks to our wonderful sponsors, all the entertainment and many of the activities were free to attendees!
You may have noticed all the new beautiful gardens around the fairgrounds this year. Thanks to Frank Rattie, the volunteer landscaper and artist who designed and planted the new gardens, we will have lovely plants and flowers that will thrive in our climate for many years to come.
Several of the flower gardens, that were framed in deteriorating wood, have been replace by concrete and blocks courtesy of Bayview Redi-Mix. All of the gardens will have permanent seating around them.
The Master Gardeners were awarded the coveted Black & White Ribbon from the Washington State Fairs Association. The Master Gardener garden is a showcase of talents, demonstration plants, and year-round beauty. We invite you to come to take a look!
The GHC Fair could not possibly offer the high caliber entertainment and activities it does without the support of the many businesses, organizations, and individuals in our community. We would like to thank all the sponsors of the fair.
Our Major Day Sponsors are:
AT&T Broadband
KDUX Radio
KSSW Radio
KAYO Radio
Pepsi Cola
Entertainment Sponsors include:
Les Schwab (stage)
Montesano Farm & Home (stage)
Mt. Dew
Duke Energy
Energy Northwest
Contest & Activity Sponsors are:
Whitney’s Chevrolet & Oldsmobile
Elma Pharmacy
Elma Variety Store
Everybody’s Super Supermarket
Barnett Implement
Bull Blast Sponsors include:
Grays Harbor Mounted Posse
Centerville Western Stores
DB Designs
Vaughan Company
Elma Feed
Rusty Tractor Restaurant
Whitney’s Chevrolet & Oldsmobile
Barnett Implement
You or your business or organization can become a Friend of the Fair, too, through a wide variety of sponsorship opportunities. Each year, we provide incentives to entice exhibitor participation at the fair. Fair supporters may provide cash awards, prizes, or cash contributions for ribbons. The contribution level begins at just $15! Supporters may choose to contribute to 4-H, FFA, or open class adult and youth classes.
To become a Friend of the Fair, contact the fair office at 360-482-2651 or email ghfair@ghcfairgrounds.com.
In the very near future, our grounds will expand and improve to accommodate the numerous dog and horse shows we attract. We will have a new 4-H Dog Barn, as well as a covered entry into the Pavilion Arena. These improvements will allow us to better serve our existing clientele and possibly draw in even more!
The World of Outlaws weekend kicked off on Thursday, August 15, with the Northern Sprint Tour. The Outlaws Roared into town for two exciting nights of racing on August 16 and 17. The Fairgrounds hosted approximately 500 campers for the three-day extravaganza. Motels in Elma, Montesano, and Aberdeen filled to capacity with Outlaw racers and fans. This tremendous event draws fans from all around the Northwest and beyond. Debbie Adolphsen, Fair & Events Director said “In one instance, I was delighted to meet a fan who came all the way from Georgia. I had the pleasure of directing him to Aberdeen for lodging!”
Said Fred Brownfield, Director of Brownfield Promotions,"The Northern Sprint Tour Race on Thursday night was probably the largest attended NST Race we have had. Saturday night’s World of Outlaws had an excellent crowd. I am extremely pleased with the overall attendance."
When: September 12, 2002 at 7 p.m.
Where: The Fair Pavilion
Why: To evaluate the 2002 GHC Fair
Help us to improve the fair by filling out the enclosed evaluation form and returning it to:
Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds
P.O. Box 1229
Elma, WA 98541
Or, email your comments to ghfair@ghcfairgrounds.com.
Activities are far from over for the year. Here’s what’s coming up:
Ø Monthly swap meets return this Fall and will be held during the first weekend of each month. Over 80 indoor booths featuring a variety of products from antiques to crafts, plants, and much, much more can be seen at each swap meet. Admission and parking are free!
Ø The Country Christmas Bazaar will be held on November 23 and 24 (the weekend prior to Thanksgiving). This event, which gets bigger, better and more popular each year, features only finely hand-crafted items.
Ø Check out our website at www.ghcfairgrounds.com for upcoming horse shows and dog shows, as well as other events.
The Grays Harbor County Fair is fortunate to have a wonderful group ofvolunteers who give hours and hours of their time to make the county fair happen each year. The Fair Board and Fair Staff would like to extend our sincere appreciation and thanks for all the hard work and commitment of each of these volunteers. Every volunteer provides his or her own area of expertise and contribute greatly to the success of the fair. So volunteers, here’s to EWE!