Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Fair includes more than animals
Mary Davidson, 62, of Colfax, was named Superintendent of the Year for the 2021 Palouse Empire Fair.
COLFAX — For the second time in three years, a local woman was named Superintendent of the Year by the Palouse Empire Fair.
Mary Davidson, 62, was notified of her selection Saturday morning while volunteering in the 4-H barn at the Palouse Empire Fair.
"I just found out," Davidson, said.
Davidson served as the superintendent of the 4-H building, managing entry divisions including 4-H, vegetables, flowers, photography, and art.
Davidson grew up in a 4-H family and has been involved ever since.
In Idaho, she served as a 4-H leader, a fair superintendent, and a volunteer for more than 40 years, she said. Since moving to Colfax five years ago from Driggs, Idaho, she's been involved for the last three years.
When she was first settling into her new home, she was asked to volunteer at the fair, but turned the opportunity down. With the fair still in need of volunteers two years later, she decided it was time to re-engage.
"This is my third year being a superintendent here," she said, thanking the fair board, her family and others for helping her out.
"I couldn't do it without them," she said, noting the superintendent duties are a 10-day commitment at the fairgrounds.
"I do the decorating, the check in and help make sure everything is judged, and the ribbons are displayed," she said. "Then, there is going to be the pickup."
Davidson said she volunteers as a way to give back to the community she lives in.
"I was raised to believe that if you're part of the community, you volunteer to keep things going," she said.
But she also enjoys the fair, 4-H and particularly youngsters' excitement for being recognized.
"It's worth it when you see people come in and enjoy it," she said. "You should hear the kids."
Davidson said it's also important for the community to share what they are doing with others.
"It's all a part of being in the community," she said. "People don't share enough."
According to Davidson, the 4-H program and other fair activities give children and adults an opportunity to exhibit even if they don't have animals.
"It helps tie the community all together," she said. "There is more than just animals at the fair.
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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