GC Fairgrounds to bring on camp host

County officials apply for grant to add lights

EPHRATA — It’s hard to imagine it now, but camping season is not that far away. Some changes are coming to the campgrounds at the Grant County Fairgrounds, including the addition of a camp host.

Jim McKiernan, fairgrounds director, said the camp host will be a volunteer position, with a free campsite. The camp host mostly will be responsible for ensuring all campers have paid, he said.

County officials had discussed limiting the number of people at any given campsite, but McKiernan said they had decided that 2020 will be a trial year. If restrictions turn out to be necessary they would be considered for 2021.

Upgrades are planned for all campgrounds on fairgrounds property, which are used all spring and summer. Fairgrounds officials have said they think the campgrounds have the potential to attract more campers during the season.

McKiernan reported county officials have applied for a grant to add lights to fields at the south end of the fairgrounds. The lights would allow the field to be used throughout the spring, summer and fall, McKiernan said.

Moses Lake Roundup officials have decided against a plan to build a new pavilion at the south end of the rodeo grounds, McKiernan said. Rodeo officials have decided other upgrades should come first.

A building currently used during the Grant County Fair to demonstrate how a cow is milked may be turned to other uses. McKiernan said the setup in the Darigold building really isn’t feasible any more, since most dairy cows aren’t trained to be led with a harness, and as a result can’t be brought inside.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].