‘Bushels of Fun’

Wheat Land Communities’ Fair kicks off today

RITZVILLE — In late summer and early fall, when county fairs are at their peak, the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair can easily slip under the radar. There’s no carnival, no big-name musical acts on the stage or clowns wandering the grounds. This year’s theme is “Bushels of Fun,” and that’s what it offers. “We're a small community fair serving the communities of (Ritzville), Lind, Washtucna and Benge,” said Lori Williams, a volunteer and fair board member. The event used to be called the East Adams County Fair, but the name was changed in 1981 when the fair moved to its current location outside Ritzville. The fair has no staff, just a board of volunteers. It’s grown in the last 42 years, according to its website, from a single building to 13 buildings and an amphitheater...