Submitted by Commissioner Sandra Romero, Chair of the Thurston County Board of Commissioners
Volunteers Honored At Ribbon Cutting For New Roofs
With the annual Thurston County Fair festivities just three weeks away, today the ribbon was cut for three new roofs on buildings at the Thurston County Fairgrounds.
Thurston County Commission Chair Sandra Romero, Commissioner Cathy Wolfe, Lacey Mayor Virgil Clarkson, several Thurston County Fair Board members and many other guests were on hand give special recognition to volunteers for their hard work on the roof construction in less than ideal weather earlier this spring.
“What our volunteers accomplished with this construction project is just amazing, and the weather was awful to boot. They endured pouring rain and miserable weather, but they kept at it and got the work done. I just can’t thank them enough,” said Commissioner Romero.
Over the course of seven weekend days in March and April, a team of more than 30 volunteers removed and replaced dilapidated roofs from the Deck building and the Simons and Petersen barns at the county fairgrounds. More than a dozen volunteers worked on the construction crew, while others assisted with tools, materials and much needed food and drinks. The dedicated construction team wasn’t slowed by several days of steady, soaking rain.
“If it wasn’t for all the organization and for all of the volunteers working so hard, we would have never gotten those roofs done. You’re looking at the length of two football fields at least when you combine all three buildings,” said Rob Hanna, one of the many volunteers that made up the core construction crew and who worked all four weekends to help complete the project. “I’m just one of many people out here who volunteer because we love the fair and we love what it does to bring this community together. It’s those volunteers, some who have been volunteering for two and three and even four decades—they’re the real assets here at the fair. It’s the people that make the fair so special.”
“This is a prime example of how much we rely on the community to help keep the fair going. If it weren’t for these volunteers, for our volunteer fair board members, and for all of the volunteers who put their hearts into the fair during fair week and the rest of the year, we wouldn’t be here today celebrating 142 years,” Commissioner Romero said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “The community is what keeps this fair going, and you all are the heart of this community. Thank you all for everything you do to make the fair a great place visit and for making Thurston County a great place to live.”
The fun and festivities under the new roofs get underway on Wednesday, July 31 when the 2013 fair opens. July 31 is “One Buck Wednesday” where each fairgoer can get one dollar admission when they bring a non-perishable food donation.
To learn more about this year’s events, entertainment and exhibits, contact the Thurston County Fair Office at (360) 786-5453 or visit www.co.thurston.wa.us/fair.
