05/09/2006: "Fair Board seeks donations for free admission"

The county Fair Board is throwing a four-day party and would needs help to throw the doors open and let every one in for free. The Centennial San Juan County Fair -- August 16-19 -- celebrates the 100th anniversary of the 1906 county fair. During the past 100 years residents from all the islands have gathered to show off their best flowers, wool, apples, quilts, sheep, chickens, goats, pigs, paintings, photographs, pies, canned goods, etc.

While the world has changed since the first county fair on the docks in Friday Harbor in 1906, there is still much to be gained by gathering as a community. The fair is the only entertaining countywide event (unless you count OPALCO annual meetings).

By having a free gate, we can draw in people who may not know what's inside the fairgrounds. They will:
-- Discover their friends' and neighbors' hidden artistic talents.
-- Show their children where eggs and the rest of breakfast come from.
-- Hang upside down from carnival rides.
-- Read and hear about island history directly from members of old island families.
-- Hear an amazing variety of musical groups.
-- See a colorful roomful of quilts.
-- Watch horses zip around the arena as the riders hang on.
-- Catch up with old friends.

A $500 donation funds 100 admissions; $1,000 supports 200 admissions; $5,000 pays 1,000 admissions; $10,000 subsidizes 2,000 admissions; $25,000 furnishes 5,000 admissions and $100,000 covers the whole shooting match. We have sponsorship benefits that go with each level of donation.

If you would like to help the Fair Board reach its goal of a free gate to celebrate the Centennial, please contact Fair Board member Sharon Kivisto at 378-3748