Palouse Empire Fair a success

After all the restrictions of the pandemic, Palouse residents and surrounding communities were excited to celebrate at the Palouse Empire Fair Thursday Sept. 8-11.

The Palouse Empire Fair's mission is to promote, develop and improve the agriculture, livestock, business, industry and home life of resident families, youth and visitors.

Gates and animal barns opened at 8 a.m. Thursday Sept. 8 through Sunday, Sept. 11. The Fair kicked off with a Senior Citizen Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the Council on Aging, which was served by Whitman County Elected Officials in the community building. A Goat Barn meeting and a Cavy Fitting and showing in the small animal barn also took place. At 8:30 a.m. the sheep market classses were judged in the sheep arena, followed by 4-H/FFA judging of Beef Breeding Classes in the Youth Ag Pavilion at 9 a.m. and Swine Market Classes in the Youth Ag Pavilion.

Display buildings were opened at 10 a.m. Thursday and Friday. Saturday, 10 a.m. was Horse Play Day in the outdoor arena and Sunday there was a church service at that time.

The first night of Rodeo started at 7 p.m. Thursday and finished it's first night at 9 p.m., with it's last go at 7 p.m. Friday night.

Fair Family of the Year was awarded to Randy McGraw and his family this year. McGraw was chosen due to his service to the Fair over the years.

Overall winners from the Pig Barn winners were in Market, FFA Grand Champion Devin Holling and reserve Grand Champion is Samantha Holling. 4H Grand Champion is Cade Wolf and reserve Grand Champion is Landon Miller. Fitting and showing FFA winners were Kyra Holt as Grand Champion and Tess Lewis as reserve Grand Champion. ADV was Grand Champion Keianna Rudd and reserve Grand Champion was Shaylee Wadsworth. INT was Grand Champion Landon Miller and reserve Grand Champion was Jack Baser. NOV was Grand Champion Cade Wolf and reserve Grand Champion Hagen Tippett.

The "Lil" Squealers competition Grand Champions were Aubree Brickey, Carter DeBolt, Harper Hill, Tucker Wolf and Deacon Startin. Reserve Grand Champions were Charlee Chapman, Hallie Kerr, Nathan Taylor, Bowden Kjack and Delta Lawhead. The Ray Mackleit Herdsmanship Award went to Carsen Cochran, JD Peterson and Drew VanTine.

The Palouse Empire Fair Horse Champions were Preston Olson, Addison Ollgaard, Thomas Call, Lane Fulfs, Alvina Whetzel, Brianna Rasmussen, Hames Garrett, Meredith Bell, Rayna Loewen, Keira Maloney, Lyman Olson, emma Corerzel, Brenna Fulfs, Alexis Alred, Adara Ligouri, Riley Taylor, Hadley watt, Violet Smith, Darby Watt, Brady Greenwalt, Peyton Pelissier, Coraline Link and Kasey Kane.

To go with the competitions and livestock showings, Fair goers enjoyed different vendors. There were games, rides, cotton candy and prizes to be won. This year's Fair also had the honor of hosting Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry, making the 2022 Palouse Empire Fair an overall success.