Almira Country Fair promises small-town fun
Ryan Peha of Almira waves as he rides his minibike in a past Almira Country Fair parade. Alongside him, from left, are his children Cameron and Quinn on the four-wheeler and Adyn on the minibike.
COURTESY PHOTO/ALMIRA COUNTRY FAIR
ALMIRA — The Almira Country Fair starts today, according to its social media page.
“I would say (the fair) started 40-some years ago,” said fair committee member Joann Eagle. “It really started out with a craft fair and a parade. They used to have arm-wrestling contests. I think it’s going be fun to bring that back.”
The fun begins Friday evening with a community cookoff at the Almira Community Center. The dinner is a potluck, Eagle said, but over the years it’s turned into a competition as well. That’s followed by community bingo for the whole family, with cash payouts, Eagle said.
“You know, we don’t get much excitement in Almira,” Eagle said. “So we like our bingo. “(You have) 5-year-old kids playing and 85-year-old people.”
Saturday’s festivities start off at 7:30 a.m. with a breakfast hosted by the Almira Fire Department, according to the fair’s online schedule. The parade starts at 10 a.m., followed by the car show. At 2:30 p.m. there’s a drawing for the dollar raffles. That’s where participants pay a dollar per ticket and leave the tickets in a bucket in front of the item they hope to win. Auction packages include chicken nesting boxes, Legos and gift certificates for golfing or dining out, according to the fair’s social media page.
Throughout there will be free bouncy houses for the kids and food and craft vendors, including Krispy Kreme doughnuts sold by the 4-H club, as well as tacos, iced coffee and Italian sodas from a community church group, Eagle said. Craft offerings include beading, nail art, crochet creations, wax melts and original paintings, according to the fair’s social media.
There will also be a WSU-themed quilt raffle and the Lions Club is sponsoring a cornhole tournament at 11:30 a.m. The beer garden opens at the same time.
“It's a good family event,” Eagle said. “Come and sit down and talk to somebody you don't see very often and let your kids jump in the bounce house. It's a good time.”
Joel Martin may be reached via email at jmartin@columbiabasinherald.com.