Locals gather to support WLCF Wampum

Community members and faithful supporters of the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair gathered together on the evening of Saturday, April 29, for a spirited night of fun and bidding to help fundraise during the annual Wampum auction.

The event included a live and silent auction portion, which collectively raised an estimated $8,000 for the fair. The WLCF Board also received an estimated $1,000 in cash donations.

The evening began with a social hour, followed by a catered meal prepared by Memories Diner. Immediately following the meeting, WLCF President Fritz Coon gave a brief update about the upcoming fair.

Coon stated the Fair Board is currently looking for a small front-end loader tractor, due to a fire last summer. The fire consumed and destroyed the previous tractor used for maintenance of the grounds.

A new addition has also been made to the fairgrounds, with the development of a pedal tractor track near the west side of the fairgrounds. The track was built as a memorial for Cole Melcher with funds from donations in his honor during the previous fair.

The outgoing fair royalty princess Megan Buriak talked about her and fellow royalty member Madison Melcher’s experience this past year and also helped display the auction items throughout the evening. Buriak shared about their experiences assisting at the fair and traveling to local parades.

Buriak said they enjoyed attending a variety of parades and helping to showcase their pride in the communities they represent. She also thanked all of those individuals who assisted with scheduling, and driving them in the parades.

Buriak also announced the two representatives serving as fair royalty for the upcoming year: Rachel Nygren and Julia Klein. Both royalty members read their essays about the importance of the fair to the Lind, Ritzville and Washtucna communities before being crowned as princesses.

Jerry Snyder served as the auctioneer for the evening and helped keep the audience engaged and entertained.

Erika Hennings purchased the highest selling auction item of the evening; two tons of hay donated by Bar U Ranch. Hennings bought the grass or mixed hay for $400.

The next highest bid of $360 purchased one free septic pump from Bittick Septic Service.

One of the items creating the most spirited and competitive bidding was the one-year of haircuts, donated by The Hair Center. The popular auction item sold for $315 to Patty Schoesler.

Another high selling item included two quarter page ads in the Exhibitors’ Guide and the Fair/Rodeo tab, donated by The Ritzville Journal, which sold to the WLCF Livestock Committee for $225.

Stan Dammel donated an aerial tour to the auction, and it sold for $200.

Other popular items selling for $180 were an Omaha Steaks package, hand-tooled leather notebook, and a home décor sign.