Editor,

The Fair is over and what a great four-day party it was. We were able to offer good carnival rides and games, animal exhibits with showmanship events, an array of commercial and food vendors, afternoon bingo, supervised games and activities for children, Eva Mae Main Stage and walk-about entertainment, the big Saturday Fair Parade, logging show, arena horse events, presentations and improv comedy in the BlackBox Theater, plus fabulous exhibits and demonstrations in all the exhibit halls.

Behind-the-scenes responsibilities included security, gate control, ticket sales, information booth, on-site fire and EMT presence, campground, online exhibit registration, cleanup crew and maintenance, vendor liaison, premium office (issues prize money for ribbons), Supt. of Superintendents Office, Office of 4-H Superintendent and the Fair Office. We have no parking areas, so all parking is handled by outside groups.

With very few exceptions the fair is brought to you by volunteers, many of whom have contributed very long hours and their talents over the years. Each exhibit area has a superintendent and each one finds his/her own people to be stewards, judges and demonstrators. For example, in Fine Arts (my area) I had three people help with display panels, one to help me hang the 139 art pieces, one judge, four helpers for Entry Day, two for pickup and 28 stewards during the fair. So in addition to myself, 39 volunteers helped with the Fine Arts Exhibit. I especially want to thank the Artists of South Whidbey for their help and for their very generous gift of prize money for the People’s Choice Awards.

So just think: Fine Arts is only one of 26 open class divisions. This does not include the Log Show, Parade, Pottery Shack, management of the auctions and raffles, Fair History Room, historic cabins, Antique Barn, the many 4-H departments/divisions, etc., all of which are supervised by volunteers.

To all of you volunteers and sponsors, the officers and directors of the Island County Fair Association Board offer our deepest thanks for a job well done. We also want to acknowledge the exceptional fair coverage we received this year from the South Whidbey Record.

With great appreciation,

Diane Divelbess,

president

Island County Fair Association