From the Board of County Commissioners

Kittitas County is proud to welcome you to our annual County Fair. The Kittitas County Fair, held at the Kittitas Valley Event Center, is a premier example of the hard work and dedication of 100s of volunteers and the facility staff - a tradition that was set in place at Kittitas County’s first fair held in 1885. Their dedication to this tradition exemplifies community pride and a sense of connection to each other and will certainly make you feel welcome and part of something very special. I encourage you to explore all of the exhibits located in buildings throughout the fairgrounds; learn about our county's history and heritage in Frontier Village; enjoy the games and rides at the carnival; and, make certain not to miss the 4-H and Future Farmers of America Junior Livestock Sale and Auction and witness the accomplishments of our young people and the community support for their efforts. We know you will enjoy your stay and we look forward to your return to the Kittitas County Fair year after year.

Regards,
Mark McClain
Kittitas County Board of Commissioners, Chair
 

Mark McClain Chairman

Alan Crankovich Vice Chairman

Linda Huber Commissioner

From the Kittitas County Fair Board

The year was 1885. Eighteen Civil War veterans and several local residents got together for a reunion and a festival, celebrating a good year of agriculture and business. This was the origin of what is now the Kittitas County Fair.

In June of 1923 over five hundred men, women and children developed the land where the Kittitas County Fair and Ellensburg Rodeo now holds its annual Labor Day event. This celebration has evolved into what is today’s Kittitas County Fair. It is built on the spirit and tradition of the pioneers who started the fair. It is a celebration!

It takes a team to produce the annual Labor Day Fair and Rodeo. The Fair Board is made up of eighteen members; each director is responsible for a different aspect of the fair. They meet throughout the year, planning and organizing all the details of the fair that will draw nearly 75,000 people to fairgrounds. With the exception of a few County employees, the fair is put on by volunteers and sponsors.

The Rodeo Board is made up of seventeen members that also work throughout the year to put on the world-class Ellensburg Rodeo. The Rodeo Board is supported by its ancillary groups including the Top Hands, Rodeo Royal Court, and the Rodeo City Equestrians. And, of course many of you have seen the Ellensburg Rodeo Posse, wearing their signature mustard yellow colored shirts & brown wild rags, riding their sorrel horses at parades throughout the State of Washington. They have been promoting the Kittitas County Fair and Ellensburg Rodeo for 85 years.

We want to extend this invitation to all of you: come and celebrate our tradition of a “real authentic fair” that dates back to 1885.

Bill Allison
President, Kittitas County Fair Board