Sequim Gazette Editorial and Letters to the Editor

There's nothing like the sights and sounds of a county fair, and at this time year moos and oinks from livestock barns and screams from the midway are in the air.

That includes the Clallam County Fair, which begins its four-day run tomorrow. This is the 113th time the fair has been part of the county, having debuted in 1895.

Fair week offers the opportunity for the community to come together and show its support for a variety of organizations. It's a time for everyone's inner cowboy to come out one way or another.

For many, the fair is food and the carnival, but for some it is the culmination of a summer's worth of work.

The 4-H and FFA exhibitors remind us that county fairs reflect the nation's agrarian roots. In fact, many state and county fairs call themselves agricultural fairs and choose themes that play on farm-related words, such as "Go Hog Wild," "See ewe at the fair" and the Clallam County Fair's choice this year, "Encore perFARMance."

Organized fairs had their start around 1818 and from the first time Elkanah Watson, a New England farmer who in 1807 exhibited a few of his merino sheep in the town square, agricultural themes were at the core of the fairs.

A few years later, Watson staged a more ambitious exhibition that featured several hundred head of cattle and sheep and soon the idea caught on. The first official state fair was held in Syracuse, N.Y., in 1841. By the end of the 19th century, almost every state had one or more agricultural fairs or exhibitions.

Unfortunately, with the loss of farmland and farms, as well as the fading interest of the younger generation to take over the family farm or choose farming as a career, the agricultural roots of many a fair are fading fast.

The Washington County Fair in Minnesota, for instance, features more dogs and horses than the traditional cows and hogs. The number of county fair animals raised for meat has stagnated, according to Brad Rugg, 4-H director of fair and animal science programs.

Hundreds of suburban teens lease breeding cows or hogs, visiting them on farms and prepping them for 4-H shows, which doesn't give nearly the same experience of raising an animal from birth to slaughter.

The drift away from farm animals at fairs means fewer people will appreciate farming and where our food comes from.

While it's true 4-H is not only about animals, there's no denying that large numbers of 4-Hers enter fitting and showing contests with their livestock. Same goes for FFA members. For many of these youths, selling an animal at the fair means money for next year's entry or even college expenses. All projects are aimed at teaching youths responsibility and the value of hard work. Just ask a 4-Her what it took to get his or her animal to the show ring.

Fortunately, Washington state fairs continue to preserve the agricultural connections, including the Clallam County Fair. According to fair officials, there are five barns dedicated to farm animals and more than 50 percent of our fair is agriculturally related.

Still, key to a fair's total success is the variety of attractions, including animals, carnival rides, cotton candy, gardeners showing off their fattest pumpkins, prettiest flowers and perfect ears of corn, and local groups selling goodies to raise money for scholarships and other programs. And lucky us, the Clallam County Fair has it all. Enjoy.



Starting school with the right stuff

It's difficult to believe, especially if you're a student, but the first day of school is only weeks away.

It's also difficult to believe that some students will start school unprepared; that is, without pencils, paper and other necessary supplies.

For many families, there are no back-to-school shopping safaris as the cost of even the most basic school supplies can be beyond their reach. This is hitting home even more as the economy worsens.

To fill that void, dozens of programs across the country and state are stepping up to make sure students return this fall ready to learn.

In Clallam County, First Federal is again setting out red wagons at each of its branches with the idea that citizens will fill the wagons with schools supplies. Imagine a student's delight to receive a brand new backpack filled with pencils, glue sticks, scissors, notebooks and even a box of tissues. That delight is doubled if his or her family cannot afford to purchase the items themselves. Children are often embarrassed when they don't have even the bare essentials and that disrupts learning.

First Federal is partnering with America's Promise Alliance, a program chaired by retired Gen. Colin Powell that focuses on the well-being of young people.

First Federal will distribute the supplies to local schools and charities, including the Sequim School District.

To help fill the red wagons, the school districts post supply lists at local retail stores, such as Wal-Mart, Rite Aid and the office supply outlets.

Grab a list, buy some stuff and help students get a good start on the new school year.

First Federal in Sequim is located at 333 N. Sequim Ave.