New Lewis County fair pavilion makes its debut
Sep. 29—NEZPERCE — The grand opening of the new $925,000 Lewis County Fair pavilion came not a moment too soon Thursday as 4-H and Future Farmers of America youngsters began weighing in their livestock projects for this weekend's fair.
Audra Cochran, University of Idaho extension educator for Lewis and Clearwater counties, said the number of livestock projects took a major leap this year, up 40 more hog entries alone.
"4-H and FFA are just really a cultural thing in this community," Cochran said, with families carrying on the tradition generation after generation.
"The legacy really lives on in these families," she said.
The new fair building, which replaces the old tin building that collapsed Jan. 6, 2022, under a load of heavy snow, is big and spacious enough to accommodate that enthusiasm and project growth, with several new holding pens and a reconfigured show and sales arena.
"This has been a labor of love from so many community members," Cochran said.
The new R.A. Wemhoff Livestock Pavilion was officially dedicated Thursday morning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by about 100 people, including the building's namesake, Ray Wemhoff, of Nezperce.
Wemhoff and his wife, Raylene, have been longtime 4-H and FFA supporters and were major backers of the new construction. Their son, Quinn Wemhoff, who is on the Lewis County fair board, sliced through the ceremonial ribbon with a pair of oversized scissors, kicking off the fair, aptly titled, "There's No Place Like Home."
Last year, as the county waited for insurance reimbursements and to line up contractors to replace the ruined building, the fair was moved to the Idaho County fairgrounds in Cottonwood.
Commissioners Greg Johnson and Justin McLeod expressed their gratitude Thursday for being allowed to use the Idaho County facilities. But it wasn't quite the same, they said, as having the fair in Lewis County.
"There's a lot of families that I think didn't come last year because it wasn't in town as usual," McLeod said.
"This is an exciting day for Lewis County to finally have our fair back in Lewis County," Johnson added. "We appreciate Idaho County letting us use their fairgrounds last year. But it's nice to be home with a brand new building."
Arnzen Construction of Cottonwood was the primary contractor for the pavilion. All of the cost but the $1,000 deductible was paid by the county's insurance company, Idaho Counties Risk Management Program.
The county also received a number of large donations from businesses and individuals including $50,000 from Ag West Farm Credit and $15,000 each from Avista, Cottonwood Credit Union and Freedom Northwest in Kamiah. Cloningers Markets donated $5,000.
Activities get underway today with animal fitting and showing and quality contests starting at 8 a.m. Open class judging will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. The small animal round robin begins in the livestock building at 11 a.m.
The large animal fitting and showing contests begin at noon and the final round robin will be held at 5 p.m. The 4-H-style revue starts at 7 p.m. in the Baldus Hall.
Saturday's activities include the Nezperce American Legion breakfast at the Legion Hall from 7 to 10 a.m. Livestock quality judging starts at 8 a.m. with the market animal auction at 5 p.m.
The fair parade is at 1 p.m. and a family dance at the Baldus Hall will be held from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Hedberg may be contacted at khedberg@lmtribune.com.
