August 18, 2008

Sherman County Fair starts Tuesday
Events runs through Sunday

By KATHY GRAY
of The Chronicle

     Annie Simantel wants to invite the public to the Sherman County Fair and Rodeo, happening Tuesday, Aug. 19, through Sunday, Aug. 24 at the fairgrounds in Moro.
     Simantel, who lives in Wasco, is the 2008 fair and rodeo queen.
     A senior at Sherman Junior Senior High School, Simantel lives on a cattle ranch with her parents Julie and Jon Simantel, and twin sister, Maggie. Her older sister, Amanda, lives in Portland.
     “I love horses, obviously,” Queen Annie says. She is a regular entrant in western equitation, showmanship and trail at the Sherman County Fair, through her 4-H participation.
     Annie applied to be the fair queen at the urging of a friend.
     “My friend was the past queen and she said she had so much fun doing it,” Annie says. “She wanted me to try out.”
     She was picked last year and has been representing the fair at events like the Northwest Cherry Festival Parade, the Fort Dalles Days Parade, the Wasco County Parade in Shaniko and the Memorial Day Parade in Wasco.
     There’s lots to do at the fair, Annie notes.
     “I like going and hanging out and seeing all the different exhibits,” she says. “I like it all.”
     This year’s special activities at the fair include a rock-climbing wall and exotic animals exhibit, including llamas. A dance is always one of the fair highlights, as well.
     Annie plans to attend Clackamas Community College and live with here sister after graduation next year. She’s interested in being a veterinary technician or veterinarian and working with large animals.
     “My family are ranchers and I’ve been around and helped out with them,” she says.
     While at the fair, Annie will be handing out a variety of ribbons to winners, as well as moderating the fashion show and riding in the rodeo runout.
     “Please come and see us,” she says. “Join us at the fair.”

Fair schedule:
Tuesday, Aug. 19
10:30 a.m.-noon, beef weigh-in for 4-H, FFA market animals and all open class beef.
1-6 p.m., weigh-in for 4-H, FFA swine, sheep and goat market animals and all other open class animals.
1-7 p.m., fair office open
11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., all open class livestock entered and in place.
11 a.m.-6 p.m., all open class entries entered and in place (backed goods and flowers in place on Wednesday by 9 a.m.)
4-7 p.m., antique and classic car show,
5-7 p.m., Fair kickoff barbecue by Paradise Rose Chuck Wagon, plus music.
Wednesday, Aug. 20
7-a.m.-6 p.m., fair office open
8-9 a.m., 4-H and FFA showmanship clinic
9 a.m., backed goods and flowers in place
9 a.m.-70 p.m., open class pavilion judging,
9:30 a.m.-noon, 4-H & FFA market swine judging, followed by breeding,
10 a.m., 4-H record books completed and turned in at the 4-H pavilion,
12:30-2 p.m., 4-H & FFA market sheep judging, followed by breeding,
2:30-3:30 p.m., 4-H & FFA market beef judging, followed by breeding,
4-5:30 p.m., 4-H goat judging, followed by breeding. Horse games in rodeo arena immediately following goat judging.
7 p.m., all horses must be in place.

Thursday, Aug. 21
7 a.m.-6 p.m., fair office open,
8 a.m., my favorite outfit to be assembled by appointment,
8 a.m., 4-H & FFA herdsmanship contest,
8 a.m., 4-H & FFA swine showmanship contest
9:30 a.m., 4-H & FFA sheep showmanship contest, goat showmanship immediately following,
12:30 p.m., 4-H & FFA beef showmanship contest, followed by open class beef, sheep, swine, goat and breeding judging,
1 p.m., judging of 4-H/open class poultry and rabbits,
2 p.m., 4-H & FFA horse showmanship contest,
3 p.m., dog showmanship,
4 p.m., adult showmanship in show arena,
6 p.m., grand champion showmanship contest,
7:30 p.m., ranch horse contest in rodeo arena

Friday, Aug. 22
7 a.m.-7 p.m., fair office open
8 a.m., my favorite outfit judged,
8 a.m., 4-H home economics contests - individually scheduled,
9 a.m., open class halter horses, followed by all other horse competitions,
9:30 a.m., Wheat and You, 4-H baking contest, 4-H & FFA western equitation followed by western open class riding, 4-H & FFA English equitation followed by English open class riding,
11 a.m., livestock judging contest,
noon, 2005 fair queen application due
1-3 p.m., high school rodeo cutting,
4-5 p.m., live action shooting in rodeo arena,
7 p.m., high school rodeo 1 in rodeo arena,
10 p.m.-1 a.m., fair dance in dance barn.

Saturday, Aug. 23
8 a.m., Shipley shuffle 4-H run/walk,
8 a.m.-7 p.m., fair office open (closed during parade),
8 a.m., high school rodeo slack, rodeo arena,
10:30 a.m., parade lineup at Moro City Park,
11 a.m., parade,
noon, queen’s luncheon
1 p.m., high school rodeo in rodeo arena,
1-3 p.m., kids games in show arena,
3:30 p.m., 4-H & FFA awards,
4 p.m., winner of quilt raffle announced prior to livestock auction in show arena,
6 p.m., FFA barbecue in booster club restaurant,
5 p.m., all exhibits released, market animals following sale,
7 p.m., high school rodeo in rodeo arena,
9-11:30 p.m., teen dance in dance barn.

Sunday, Aug, 24
8 a.m., high school rodeo slack, rodeo arena,
9 a.m., cowboy church in show arena,
1 p.m., high school rodeo in rodeo arena.