Community & 4H Fair celebrates 114 years

HUNTERS - The Hunters Community & 4-H Fair will celebrate its 114th year on Saturday, August 17, with a full schedule of events and activities.

The day begins at 7 a.m. with a breakfast provided by AWANA, followed by livestock check-in and vet checks from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

The fair building and vendor market open at 8 a.m., with livestock, horse, and dog shows kicking off at 9 a.m.

The parade starts at 11:30 a.m., with lineup beginning at 11 a.m. in the Columbia School parking lot.

Following the parade, attendees can enjoy a Pulled Pork BBQ lunch served until 2 p.m., featuring pulled pork or German sausage, beans, potato salad, coleslaw, and dessert, with a special kids' menu available.

Afternoon activities include a birdhouse-building competition at 12:30 p.m., bingo at 1 p.m., and various contests such as horseshoes, nail driving, and crosscut saw, with livestock judging at 2 p.m. and showmanship meeting at 3:30 p.m.

The day concludes with the removal of entries from the building at 4 p.m.

This year's Grand Marshals are Wayne and Marlene Sampson, a local couple renowned for their contributions to agriculture and community.

Wayne, a former Fruitland Valley resident, and Marlene, from Daisy, have been integral to the local farming community since their marriage in 1959.

They raised four children-Dave, Loretta, Kevin, and Gregg-and have continued farming in Stevens County.

They have expanded their farming operations and received numerous accolades, including the Stevens County Cattlemen of the Year award in 1993.

They earned multiple awards for their livestock, including Grand Champion at the Spokane Livestock Auction.

The Sampsons, who recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary, have nine grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

They follow last year's Grand Marshals, Dan and Linda Somerlott, in this honored role.