Clatsop County interviews four candidates to fill fair board vacancies

CLATSOP COUNTY, Ore. — The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners interviewed four candidates Thursday, May 28, for two open seats on the county fair board, with applicants stressing more year-round events, vendor capacity and improved marketing to attract visitors and support local businesses.

The applicants and county staff appeared at the work session; county staff told commissioners the board is scheduled to consider appointments at its June 11 meeting. The interviews were part of an informational work session in which commissioners asked a standard set of questions of each candidate.

Why it matters: The fairgrounds hosts a range of community and tourist events. Applicants framed the board role as both stewardship of facilities and a driver of local economic activity — telling commissioners they would seek more rentals, sponsorships and event outreach to bring people and revenue to the county.

Applicant remarks and backgrounds Desiree Danakas, an event organizer who rents the Exhibit Hall for a winter bazaar, said the market has 65 vendors and "50 people on the waiting list." She told commissioners vendors repeatedly ask for "more opportunities and more time and more days," and said her experience organizing out-of-town vendors and large craft events would help the fairgrounds expand its calendar and offerings.

An applicant who described a career in radio, television and digital marketing (name not provided in the record) said she could bring marketing, sponsorship sales and media-buying expertise to broaden outreach and bring more visitors. That applicant said she has worked in digital management and station sales for regional and national media groups.

Stephanie (first name only in the record) said she is a long-time 4‑H leader and stressed advocacy for youth and community programming; she also noted cultural rental opportunities, including quinceañeras and weddings, as underused event types the fairgrounds could attract.

Abigail Goodman, who said she has lived in Astoria her whole life, described practical knowledge of fair operations and board responsibilities. She said the fair board manages the fair itself — including marketing, vendor recruitment and concert decisions — and oversees maintenance, budgets and event scheduling for facilities.

What commissioners and staff said County staff and commissioners asked each applicant about conflicts of interest and capacity to serve; no applicant disclosed a disqualifying conflict on the record. Commissioners emphasized the value of diverse experience and suggested they wanted fair board recommendations before final appointments.

County staff indicated the appointment decision will return to the board on June 11. Commissioners praised the applicant pool as experienced and varied, and asked the fair board itself to provide recommendations to the commission before the decision.

Next steps and context The interviews were part of a regular work session; the board did not take formal votes on appointments at the meeting. The board will consider the candidates at its June 11 regular meeting, and commissioners signaled they expect input from the existing fair board before making final selections.