Palouse Empire Fair draws 24,000-plus despite weather

Lightning, thunder, wind and a little rain couldn’t dampen spirits of the 2013 Palouse Empire Fair.

Weather forecasters had predicted thunderstorms throughout fair weekend, but the clouds parted and warm temperatures allowed fairgoers to enjoy everything at the fair.

Fair Manager Bob Reynolds said Sept. 12 a little more than 24,000 people attended the fair this year, an increase over last year’s attendance.

Reynolds also said that revenue returns have been good and the carnival also boosted revenue very well.

Even though the fair’s opening day Sept. 5 was gray with threatening skies in the morning, fairgoers still came out to make it one of the better days, he said.

Saturday’s ticket sales at the front gate was the biggest day of the fair.

“That was the best Saturday we’ve had in six or seven years,” Reynolds said.

He also commended the fair queen candidates who sold an all-time number of wristbands.

Reynolds said he still has receipts coming in. He also said that most food vendors reported very good sales.

“Financially, we did very good,” he said. “We are very pleased so far.”

Reynolds said the Junior Livestock Sale also did well.

“It’s not an all-time record, but it’s way up there,” he said.

Overall, Reynolds said things went smoothly, except for some problems with the fair’s septic system.

Reynolds said the judge from the state fair commission was amazed at the number of entries in the beef barn. The judge awarded the beef barn with a state “Black and White Award.” Jessica and Nathan Moore are the beef barn’s superintendents, and Reynolds attributed much of the success of the barn to them.

Colfax candidate Jacee Thompson was named Miss Palouse Empire Fair in the fair queen’s competition. Hannah Kramer of Colton was named first princess and Morgan Anderson of St. John/Endicott was named second princess.

The new royalty succeeds Queen Holly Leendertsen of Palouse and Princesses Madalynn St. John of Rosalia and Deanna Aeschliman of Colfax.

Pullman senior Mckenzie Scheider received the Miss Palouse Empire Rodeo crown at Sunday’s rodeo. She also won the horsemanship competition.

Sarah Fisch of Garfield won the sportsmanship award in the rodeo royalty competition.

Leah Swannack of Lamont won the Ernie Dippel trophy for topping the round robin contest for fitting and showing winners. Leah entered the round robin as the fitting and showing champion for 4H sheep entries.

Cotton Booker of Colfax won the 4H market grand champion ribbon for beef, and Clay Shelton of Rosalia had the FFA champion. Reserve winners were Madison Dixon of Pomeroy for 4H and Madison Harder of Lind/Ritzville for FFA.

Alexis Maki of Colfax had the FFA champion for sheep and Gillian Oaks of Pullman had the 4H champion.

Cole Hennigar of Colton had the 4H market champion swine, and Ariel Hoffman of Palouse had the FFA champion. Reserve winners for market swine were Levi Weber of Colton for FFA and Maxx Curtis of Oakesdale for 4H.

Lane Moore of Colton received the Jayne Lyman memorial award in honor of the late long-time superintendent for the beef barn.

Valente Reynoso-Heaton won the Clint Luce Award.

The Black and White State Fair Commissioner’s Award went to the Beef Barn where Nathan and Jessica Moore are the superintendents.

Reynolds said this is the State Fair judge’s selection for the best barn or exhibit area at the fair for 2013.

The judge made three comments: he was amazed with the numbers of animals at the fair; he was especially impressed with the “Pee Wee Cowpokes” program; and also said, “All your superintendents do a fantastic job and we should be so very proud of them. You have a great fair.”

Reynolds said this was the judge’s first visit to the fair.