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Washington County readies fair opening; organizers outline security, vendors and new animal‑health rules
Summary
With the fair nine days away, staff reported security upgrades, vendor and ride readiness, sponsorships and new Oregon Department of Agriculture emergency rules requiring dairy testing and additional biosecurity measures.
Fair staff told the Washington County Fair Board on July 10 that the county fair opens in nine days and that preparations are on track while organizers implement security and animal‑health measures.
Leah (staff member) said security and safety remain top priorities: the fair has new metal detector units arriving before opening, an on‑site security company purchased upgraded equipment and longtime security lead Steve Volstead will coordinate security with HPD and the sheriff’s department. Leah said the sheriff’s office performs a substantial role on the grounds but has cited rising costs; the board currently pays approximately $150,000 per year for sheriff services for the fair and the sheriff recently requested $225,000. Leah said the sheriff will provide services this year within the originally requested budget, but the county and the sheriff will assess staffing and costs after the fair ahead of next year’s budget conversations.
Organizers reported commercial vendor booths are sold out with a waiting list, several carnival rides and concession stands are arriving and the marquee roller coaster will begin setup prior to opening. The youth livestock auction and the blue‑ribbon steak dinner were confirmed for July 27 (tickets available through the event link on the fair website). Bob Rollinger (Director of Sales and Marketing) described a multichannel advertising campaign that began in June and reported digital metrics the team said were strong (digital impressions and high click‑through and search rates were discussed in the meeting).
A new pancake‑batter partnership with Elmer’s will supply premixed batter for the fair’s youth breakfast; staff described handling instructions the vendor supplied (including an on‑site sign noting the vendor’s instructions). Leah and board members thanked sponsors who support the fair’s programming and site enhancements.
The board also discussed animal‑health controls after the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) issued emergency rules on June 24 to mitigate avian influenza transmission at fairs and exhibitions. Leah told the board their long‑standing county biosecurity policy (originally developed in 2018 with health and risk departments) already implements most ODA emergency requirements. The new state rules require, among other items, testing of susceptible species in some cases; Leah said dairy cattle must be tested by ODA within 10 days of arrival and that lactating dairy cattle must not be milked in areas accessible to the public and must be separated farther than the fair’s previous 6‑foot practice (Leah cited a 10‑foot distancing requirement in the state rules). Staff said FFA and 4‑H tests have already arrived and will be processed in advance of the fair.
Leah said the county will make only small layout changes — for example, swapping dairy cattle to the opposite side of a barn to reduce proximity to other susceptible species — and that the fair’s 2018 biosecurity policy positioned the county to meet the emergency rules with minimal changes. Leah warned that other fairs with fewer permanent staff were scrambling to implement rules on short notice.
Alan (4‑H representative) and Ellen (fair staff) reported strong livestock entry numbers: beef cattle capacity was listed at 48 with approximately 50 cattle committed and dairy goat and Pygora goat shows returning; the Pygora goat show was last held in February 2019. Leah and staff noted that the Washington County Livestock Association runs the youth livestock auction and the association coordinates the steak dinner; staff encouraged media outreach for stories about buyers who donate animal purchases to community groups.
Staff also covered parking and campground logistics, volunteer and vendor parking passes, and camper capacity. Board members and staff emphasized timing and arrival planning for vendors and livestock participants.
No formal vote was required on these operational updates; staff will implement the emergency‑rule steps and report post‑fair on staffing, costs and attendance.
