Fair marks full-bore finish after slow air quality start

The Palouse Empire Fair, which was threatened by air quality conditions at the start of its four day run, wrapped up full-bore style Sunday after attracting large crowds over the weekend. Final show of the fair was the last go-round of the 50th edition of the Palouse Empire Rodeo with a Colfax cowboy, Jordan Paddock, scoring the only bull ride of the three-day run on a last chance exhibition ride.

The fair started in poor air quality conditions Thursday and the immediate impact was low turnout for third grader day. Programs and entertainment had been lined up for as many as 500 third graders who usually make the tour, but most schools opted to keep them in the classroom, according to fair manager Bob Reynolds.

Ron and Barb Wachter of Pullman were honored during the opening ceremony which was conducted near the “Wachter Addition” sign along the fair’s remodeled community building. The addition houses a new fair office, kitchen and outdoor serving area.

The Wachters, who have been long-time active supporters of the fair, donated $250,000 at last fall’s Fair Foundation dinner and auction to help complete funding for the project which was started by the foundation in 20l5.

Under the fair’s new open entry policy for the Miss Palouse Empire Fair scholarship competition, three Colfax girls were crowned during the Friday night competition.

Colfax senior Sara Whelchel was named Miss Palouse Empire Fair after Friday night’s competition. Abbie Miller and Emma Neu, also both of Colfax, were named fair princesses.

Whelchel is the daughter of Jill and Randy Whelchel; Miller is the daughter of Brad and Michelle Miller, and Neu is the daughter of Todd and Donette Neu.

Other competitors were Kaylie Dyas of St. John, Haley Clausen of Pullman and Destiny Marsh of St. John.

Aliya Dunlap of Pullman, the lone Palouse Empire Fair rodeo queen candidate, was crowned by 2017 Queen Morgan Meyers, University of Idaho student from Stanwood, during a break in Sunday’s rodeo session.

Scott Ackerman of Colfax “won” the honor of kissing the pig Friday at the Palouse Empire Fair via the fundraising event for the Colfax and Community Fund drive. Al Kirkpatrick and Terry Eng were the other entrants.

The pig kissing honor was won through total donations to CCF in donation jars assigned to the respective candidates.

Donations totaled $767 in Ackerman’s jars, $212 in Kirkpatrick’s and $44 in Eng’s. A $50,000 donation in Game of Life currency was found in one of Kirkpartrick’s jars, but it was disqualified after being rejected by the bank.

Eng received the “I’m Too Nice to Kiss a Pig” recognition.

Competitor comments during the ceremony Friday indicated some last-day cross-donations were made with a pig avoidance intent.

Saturday’s junior market stock sale began with the presentation of the Ernie Dippel trophy to the winner of the round robin judging contest among fitting and showing winners in each animal division.

Sydney Berquist of LaCrosse FFA won the trophy, and Ali Hennigar of Colton received the runner-up trophy. Brett Kincaid of Colfax received the Jane Lyman award for barn support at the start of the beef portion of the sale which was last in the sale order.

Auctioneer Butch Booker faced a sale bill that included 332 animals with 19 goats, 92 sheep, 159 hogs and 62 beef.

Leadoff sellers were market champions in each division.

Winners for goats were Macy Smith of Colton and Lauren Stubbs of LaCrosse, 4H and FFA champions; Grace Demeerleer and Jordyn Moehrle, both Colfax, 4H and FFA reserve.

Market winners for sheep were Sara Ulibarri of Pullman and Berquist of LaCrosse, 4H and FFA champions; Gillian Oaks of Pullman and Chase Baerlocher of Colfax, 4H and FFA reserve.

Winners for hogs were Chris Druffel of Pullman and Mary Kate Willson of St. John, 4H and FFA champions; Matthew Druffel of Pullman and Josie Schultheis of Colfax, 4H and FFA reserve.

Winners for beef were Grace Morris of Colfax and TJ Brenan of Pullman, 4H and FFA champions, and Delaney Imler of Colfax 4H reserve.