Are you ready? Grant Co. Fair opens today
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 7 months AGO
Bakery judge Terri Holben unwraps an entry for the Grant County Fair Monday. Baking competitions, live music and - of course - a rodeo are all part of the tradition at the fair.
CHERYL SCHWEIZER/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Liam Beck enters his cake in the baking division at the Grant County Fair Monday. While the fair officially opens today; competitors, volunteers and organizers were busy Monday setting everything up for visitors to enjoy.
Lily Beck goes through the process of entering her cake at the Grant County Fair Monday.
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | August 16, 2022 1:25 AM
MOSES LAKE — The Grant County PUD crew had staked out their tents, and were testing the fans and misters. The cookies, cakes and breads were being evaluated by the bakery department judges. Volunteers for the Moses Lake Lions were making sure the lion ears - non-Lions may know them as elephant ears - fryer worked.
The Grant Transit Authority dispensed with little displays like tables and brought a whole bus, which was parked in the commercial building. Grant County Republicans and Democrats were united in washing windows and hanging red, white and blue bunting.
The Grant County Fair starts its five-day run today, and exhibitors and vendors were cleaning booths, testing equipment and otherwise getting ready Monday morning.
The fair emphasizes tradition, and the bakery division judges were trying to figure out how long they’ve been judging. After some discussion Kirk Holben said it’s been 30 years for him and his wife Terri, counting the time they spent volunteering with 4H.
Terri said she’s worked out a system, and pies, breads and cakes that she thinks are exceptional get set aside for consideration by the entire judging panel.
“For the top of the top ribbons,” Kirk said.
There’s tradition along the food court too, with crews working on ice cream machines in the Block 40 booth. The Block 40 4H club is known for that ice cream, just like the Ephrata Lions are known for their hamburgers and the ice machine.
The hamburgers are cooked on what might be called a vintage machine that provides customers with flame-broiled burgers.
“The best,” said Karin Buchmann, an Ephrata Lions member who was part of the volunteer cleanup crew.
Her husband Jerry was making sure it was in working order.
“Making sure it’s fair-worthy,” Karin Buchmann said.
Admission is free today. Daily admission for the remaining four days is $10 for adults and $8 for children and seniors. Season passes are $20 for adults and $13 for children and seniors.
Cheryl Schweizer may be reached at [email protected]. Her work can also be found on the Columbia Basin Herald app which is available on iOS and Android devices. She’ll also be out and about covering the fair, so be sure to say hello if you see her there. You can also visit the Columbia Basin Herald booth to the left as you enter through the Red Gate.
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
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