Bull riding event scratched

A proposal to schedule a bull riding event for Friday night at the Palouse Empire Fire in September has been dropped. Stan Riebold, rodeo representative, reported to the fair board March 27 the rodeo association has decided not to schedule the event for this year.

The bull riding event was expected to cost the rodeo $4,000, which would have put a strain on the association’s budget. Riebold noted that under fair policy the rodeo would be unable to charge separate admission for the event, and that left them unable to generate extra revenue to cover the additional cost of the event.

Riebold also noted the rodeo was concerned that the fair’s grandstand might not be able to accommodate the larger crowd with bull riding fans joining the normal turnout for the fair’s Friday night rodeo event.

In other action March 27, the fair board voted to cut the annual printing of the fair’s premium book from 500 to 250 this year. The premium book has been posted online for several years, and most fairgoers now access the book via computer. The board decided to continue supplying a printed version of the book for fair participants who do not use a computer.

The fair at one time published 3,000 to 4,000 of the premium books, which outline the rules and classifications for entering the fair. Last year the fair printed 500 of the books, and approximately 100 were never used.

The premium books can be downloaded in print form. Also discussed at the Monday night fair session was possible introduction of a “pocket animal” display. The display, which would be separate from other animal displays, could include gerbils, gold fish and possibly even pet snakes.

Extension agent Janet Schmidt noted such a display could require some type of temperature controls. Exhibitors would be required to tend the animals during the run of the fair.