Lewis County preview: fair organizers, volunteers and youth royalty urge residents to attend 250th celebration

Edna Fund, vice chair of the Southwest Washington Fair Advisory Board, and Fiona, the fair manager, opened the meeting by inviting residents to next week’s fair and thanking hundreds of volunteers who prepared exhibits and painted grandstands.

“...this is truly a community effort,” Fiona said, praising volunteers who spent evenings and weekends preparing exhibits and facilities. George Sada, chair of the fair advisory board, added that a sponsor donated 50 tickets to the Boys & Girls Club and encouraged commissioners and the public to attend.

Fair staff detailed entry deadlines and event scheduling. Ashley outlined times for home arts and hobby entries and reminded residents that open-class entries do not require 4‑H or FFA enrollment. Liz from the fair office advised that presale tickets offer the best savings and laid out the rodeo dates and FMX weekend activities.

Youth and royalty appearances included Kimber Searle (Little Miss Friendly), Hannah Murphy (Miss Lewis County 2026) and Kylie Smith (2026 Lewis County Rodeo Queen), who each shared brief remarks about the fair’s community importance and their roles during the event. Patty Mills, rodeo court adviser, described family night, Patriot Night and the rodeo’s fundraising tie-in to the May Foundation for breast cancer support.

Organizers also promoted a flash‑mob line‑dancing contest on Saturday at 6 p.m. and invited a short photo with the finalists before commissioners moved on to the day’s business.

The county noted there will be no regular business meeting on the next Tuesday because the fair opens that day.