Grant County Fair safety measures effective, organizers say

MOSES LAKE – While there were some minor heat injuries and a few mischievous teens during the 2025 Grant County Fair as of Saturday afternoon, the event went off without any serious incidents, according to fair organizers and law enforcement. In part, that’s due to added security measures taken over the past year. 

“We had about 20 cameras on the grounds at the time of last year’s fair,” Grant County Fairgrounds Director Jim McKiernan said. “We’ve added 50-plus since then, so we have a little over 70 cameras currently, which aren’t necessarily a preventive measure, but it allows us to quickly identify people involved in issues.”  

In addition to the cameras, McKiernan said infrastructure improvements at the fairgrounds have made a difference in overall safety. New lighting has increased visibility on the south field of the carnival area, with the lighting costing about $600,000. Additional improvements were new fencing, repairs to fencing, new bleachers and a new PA system so that public announcements could be more easily heard throughout the facility. Altogether, all of the improvements, including the lighting, totaled out to about $1 million. 

Those infrastructure improvements help safety not only at the fair, but at the other events the fairgrounds host, such as '90s Flannel Fest, coming up Oct. 3-4.  

Additionally, there were changes to security policies at the 2025 fair, McKiernan said.  

“No gang signs. No gang colors,” McKiernan said. “No gang representation at all. All the officers were briefed – if they see that, then the person is automatically trespassed off the fairgrounds. We just don’t want to have that kind of activity out here at all.”  

That change, at least in part, stems from a shooting during last year’s Grant County Fair wherein a gang member reportedly got into a conflict with a rival gang. He drew a pistol, which went off unintentionally and injured a girl who had attended with the shooter, as well as another girl who was a bystander. The suspect was caught quickly and both girls survived, though with serious injuries.  

Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete said additional manpower was on hand at the fair this year, too, with the idea of making the fair as safe as possible.  

“We’ve had up to 40 officers on the fairgrounds, and it’s been fantastic with our office – your sheriff’s office – and then the help of the Moses Lake Police Department, as well as Seattle’s Finest.”  

Seattle’s Finest, Kriete said, is a security contractor that utilizes recently retired or off-duty law enforcement officers to shore up security for special events. It is not associated directly with the Seattle Police Department and many of the officers working with Seattle’s Finest are from nearby jurisdictions in Eastern Washington. With the aid of MLPD and the security firm, GCSO has been able to coordinate security at the gates and an additional 20-30 officers roaming the fair to ensure patrons’ safety.  

“We’ve had up to 20 to 30 officers out, walking and just kind of talking to people, being seen, and dealing with the minimal problems that we’ve had so far at the fair,” the sheriff said. “And it’s been great.”  

Both Kriete and McKiernan said the appreciation of the community for them and their staff has been felt and appreciated throughout Fair Week. While the extra security measures and uniformed security personnel, public or contracted, have been helpful, the community’s patience, understanding and high regard for everyone that makes the fair happen have been great.  

McKiernan said the heat had been an issue off and on with temperatures in the triple digits occasionally, but the number of heat-related medical issues has been minimal.  

“I could say it’s probably been less than three (heat injuries),” McKiernan said. “And we also, as a staff, we all have water in our carts, so if we see somebody that really needs a water, we don’t force them to go buy it or drink at a drinking fountain. We actually give them water.”  

McKiernan said that, overall, the weather was cooperative, even waiting until just after The Band Perry got off stage around 9:15 p.m. Friday night before rain started falling.  

Both Kriete and the fairground director said they were appreciative of the community and their respective staff for a successful event for area residents and visitors to enjoy.  

“I’m very biased about the quality of this fair,” McKiernan said. “This is probably one of the last true ag-based large-scale fairs in the state. I mean, a lot of them are commercialized. They don’t have the numbers of animals that we do, and so it’s great to see the community and county come out and support the youth exhibits, both animal and non-animal exhibits, and then all of the nonprofit food booths.”  

He also made it a point to express his appreciation for the full-time staff and volunteers who make the Grant County Fair – as well as several other events throughout the year – happen for the community.  

“Our crew is second-to-none, as far as customer service,” he said. “Again, I’m biased, but they really go out of their way to make sure that everybody has a great experience.”  

McKiernan showed general appreciation for the community’s dedication to the fair, coming out even after the shooting last year and this year to enjoy the festivities and time with one another.  

“We really appreciate the fact that everybody really takes to heart that it's their county fair,” McKiernan said.