Skagit County Fair Participants

Mount Vernon, WA- For many, it is the young people and volunteers who represent “the heart” of the Skagit County Fair. The following represent the hundreds of people who have made the Fair a priority in their lives, sharing their passions with the community on four fun-filled days of summer:

Shyenne Sweet, 10, is a veteran in 4-H competition at the County Fair. This is her third fair as a competitor with rabbits, chickens, sewing, canning, baking, painting and performing arts. Her 4-H trophy case includes blue ribbons for Best in Class, Best in Division and Best in Show.

Last year Shyenne’s success at the Skagit County Fair qualified her to take part in the State Fair in Puyallup, where she competed in sewing, performing arts, public presentation, educational poster, rabbits and dogs. She and “Zeb,” an Australian cattle dog, will compete at the Skagit County Fair and hopefully on a return visit to Puyallup.

Thomas “Tick” Sweet is also a veteran with one year under his belt. His areas of competition include dogs and rabbits, still life, painting, Lego art, sewing and canning. This year he will compete with “Cowgirl,” a puppy that became part of the family at Christmas.

Shyenne and Tick’s mother Kat Sweet, who grew up in central Texas as an FFA member, has volunteered for three years as a 4-H leader. This year she supervised four young people with dogs. She also led a performing arts group and assisted with still life projects.

“We hold meetings, complete study materials and starting in October, we practice hard for upcoming fairs. This is such a positive experience for the kids, I’m more than willing to help out.”

Amy Lindor, Anacortes, mother of Megan and Christopher. She volunteers as a superintendent in the Home Economics division at the fair.

Eight-year-old Megan Lindor is a first-year participant with her bunny “Poppy,” a mixed breed she received the day before Easter.

“I feed him and water her every day,” she said. “I clean her hay, and I practice carrying her (for competition). I’ll be with her the whole time during the fair.”

Nine-year-old Christopher Lindor and 11-year-old Dominic are partners with chickens “Danica” and “Camber,” named to reflect their mutual passion for cars.

Like a car detail, the boys will “detail” their Americana chickens for competition, learning along the way to identify and describe to others their chickens’ body parts and characteristics.

Like other 4-H members, their year-round responsibilities include food, water and cage maintenance.

Mikayla Rolfs’ passion for dogs led to a coveted role as one of the handlers for UW Husky mascot dog “Dubs.” Mikayla, who will be a sophomore next fall at the UW, was in state competition last year with her Golden Doodle “Charlie” when she and one of the judges got into a conversation. As it turns out the judge was a former UW dog handler, so when she learned that Mikayla was going to attend the UW she made arrangements for her to interview to be part of the mascot team.

Mikayla juggled freshman academic demands with an active schedule accompanying “Dubs” on adventures ranging from freshman orientation to football games and alumni events. “Dubs” is also available for booking to private events.

This will be Mikayla’s fourth year at the Skagit County Fair. Last year she won the Round Robin competition, which calls for competitors to show other people’s animals. She qualified for state as well, where she and Charlie came away with honors including Champion in Agility and Champion in Showmanship. Mikayla is majoring in animal behavior with a minor in physical therapy.

Brendon Roughton, 16, has competed five times at the County Fair. This year he will compete with “Ace,” a four-month-old Champagne D’argent rabbit.

“My first year I had chickens,” said Brendon. “Then we went one time to get chicken food and I saw they had rabbits.” He quickly decided to shift his attention to bunnies.

“I got first place a couple of times in agility,” he said. “My mini-lop was Grand Champion two years ago at an open show in Monroe.”

Brendon, who is in the Running Start program at Burlington-Edison High School, said 4-H has given him the opportunity make friends and gain confidence in competition.

Josh Wiseman, a Burlington resident and recent graduate of Washington State University, is working his second year as a seasonal employee assigned to the fairgrounds and other park facilities. His scope of responsibilities includes landscaping and preparation of barns and buildings. During the four days of the fair he is kept busy with garbage detail and “miscellaneous” assignments as they arise.

“It’s cool during the fair to see all of the activity and to be able to see, ‘Hey, I set that up’.”

Evergreen State College student Chloe Ammons of Bow is also working her second year at the fair. She notes that “off season” storage means a great deal of work as vital fair elements such as stages, pens and displays are moved and set up.

“It’s nice when all the work is done and we get to see everyone enjoying themselves at the fair,” she said.

Jesus Serrano of Burlington is in his second year at Skagit Valley College, and serves as a maintenance crew “jack of all trades” in his second year on the fairgrounds maintenance crew. His first experience at the fair was working at the ticket booth, which he continues to do. Today his pre-event responsibilities include such things as painting, gutter repair, grounds keeping and moving things into place.

“I used to come to the fair with family when I was young,” he recalls. “It’s fun. Now I take pride knowing that I help to put it on.”

Pauli Mickelson, Administrative Manager, Park, Recreation and Fair

To 4-H and FFA members in audience at Fair kickoff presentation: “I am excited about education for our young people, and about the many things that go into making you the wonderful people you are. It is such an important event in our community. We are just glad to be part of it. Our reward is seeing the smiles of everyone who enjoys the fair with family and friends.”

Macklin Hamilton, Western Washington University student, 2nd year as Fair Staff

“I’m very excited to be back. Last year was an amazing learning experience. It feels great to be able to contribute to the community effort we have in the Skagit County Fair, an event made more successful by a large number of volunteers and sponsors. We are grateful for that support.”

 

Elizabeth Smith, BEHS FFA

“The fair is one of my favorite things to do. We’re at the fairgrounds from the 8th to the last day, interacting with kids and letting them pet the animals. It’s cool hearing all of the little kids ask, ‘Can I pet your cow?’ I love it.”

Elly Pederson, MVHS FFA

“We get to run the Baby Animal Farm with borrowed animals. The kids are excited. They flood to it, and part of our job is to monitor them.”

Emily Hummel, MVHS FFA

“Last year was my first year at the Baby Animal Farm. It’s a lot of fun to see the kids’ reactions. It’s fun to help them with that experience.”

Bonita Elfstrom Coordinates volunteer veterinarians and is a 4-H Dog Leader

“This is my 46th year at the fair. My daughter was a fair princess in the Eighties. There have been a lot of changes, but it is still one of the most wonderful events in Skagit County. Education and personal responsibility are important parts of the fair experience for both FFA and 4-H members. It warms my heart.”

Margaret Olson, superintendents/livestock coordinator

“My first Skagit County Fair was 1980. I’ve been helping to plan and organize the fair for about six years. I want to remind everyone about the stock sale on Friday night, when people can purchase or sponsor an animal. Last year was our first year with chickens and rabbits, and this year we will have turkeys.”

Aric Gaither, Fair Coordinator

“We want everyone at the fair to be wearing a big GRIN. This is a great county-wide event, a great opportunity for folks to get involved, to take pride in their community. We always strive to honor the past, to celebrate old fair traditions, while introducing new traditions like the Cheer at the Fair, The Diaper Derby and Texting Contests.

Last year we hit all of our targets, with attendance in excess of 25,000. Everyone has worked hard on this year’s fair. Come on out and enjoy some “Absolute GRINsanity!”

For More Information on the Skagit County Fair, including:  hours, admission costs and more, visit: http://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/Fair
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