Padden: Fairs important to rural areas

RITZVILLE - A retiring senator from Spokane Valley is encouraging Eastern Washington residents to participate in local fairs.

Sen. Mike Padden, who will retired after 28 years in the legislature at the end of the year, said local fairs - including those in Ritzville and Othello - play an important role in educating visitors and children about the importance of agriculture in Eastern Washington.

A Republican, Padden serves the 4th Legislative District, which includes Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and northeast Spokane County.

"Fair season is in full swing, and I encourage people to attend their local fair as well as others nearby," Padden said. "Fairs are not only fun, they are educational and provide a showcase for all that is positive about agriculture and our rural communities. Fairs are a wonderful annual tradition for people of all ages, and they are a perfect place to take the family.

Here, the Wheat Land Communities Fair is set for Aug. 29 to Sept. 1 at the fair and rodeo grounds, just off East Main Avenue north of Ritzville.

The Othello Fair is set for Sept. 11-14 at 831 S. Reynolds Road, Othello.

"At a fair, you can see firsthand what farmers grow or raise, from crops to livestock and other animals," Padden said. "You can see old friends and meet new ones, and try different kinds of tasty food that are found at a fair."

Other Fairs

Other nearby fairs include:

Aug. 13-17 - Grant County Fair is Moses Lakeland

Aug. 17 - Hunter Community and 4-H Fair in Hunter

Aug. 20-24 - Benton-Franklin Fair and Rodeo in Kennewick

Aug. 22-24 - Lincoln County Fair and Rodeo in Davenport

Aug. 29 to Sept. 2 - Kittitas County Fair and Ellensburg Rodeo in Ellensburg

Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 - Ferry County Fair in Republic.

Sept. 5-8 - Palouse Empire Fair and Rodeo in Colfax

Sept. 6-8 - Columbia County Fair in Dayton

Sept. 6-15 - Spokane County Interstate Fair in Spokane Valley

Sept. 12-14 - Columbia Basin Junior Livestock Show in Connell

Sept. 13-15 - Garfield County Fair in Pomeroy

Sept. 20-22 - Southeast Spokane County Fair in Rockford.