Lacamas Community Fair

Lacamas Community Fair is our local fair, and is a family tradition. Our children were showing rabbits here 20 years ago, then as they grew and were more involved in 4H they showed dairy goats, sheep, chickens, and entered baked goods, art, produce....and also helped put on the fairs,judging activities, setting up, cleaning up. For many years our summer revolved around fairs. Starting with the Pierce County Fair, then 2 or 3 weeks later the Lacamas Community Fair, and in September, 3 weeks of the Puyallup Fair, our State Fair. Our kids would show open classes, 4H and FFA animal and judging competitions, and volunteer in various needed positions at the fair. After the Puyallup Fair we were exhausted, and then after a short break, we would begin the planning for the next year's 4H and FFA projects. The theme for Lacamas Community Fair is "You Have To Bee Here" and ths picture above is the quilt block competition . I like this bee square that looks pretty cheery on the walls of Lacamas Hall.

I was one of the volunteer spinners on Sunday. I love to spin wool at the fairs and events. I meet so many interesting people and they in turn are introduced to spinning wheels and fiber art. ( I spin bare-footed)

I do not get around the fair to see what is going on when I am spinning , but did manage to see the horse costume contest. I love these quirky contests where the kids get to costume themselves and their animals. Isn't this pair of bees cute?

And this black fairy with her blue dragon?

Of course there are the usual guy hang- outs, or should I say "manly-man" hang-outs ? Tractors and classic cars, my youngest grandson Little J headed for this exhibit right away. Look at these purses. They are made of plastic shopping bags! Aren't they nice? Who knew you could take those junky plastic bags and make them attractive and more useful?

Later another spinner and her knitting friend joined me. I had a wonderful time, met more interesting people, and got a lot of yarn spun up while doing this. Our daughter and her family were there and 2 of our grandchildren entered a few things in the fair. To see another take on Lacamas Fair check out her blog, A.Joy At Home.

"In the fall of 1929, at a meeting of the Lacamas Community Club, a few members brought samples of fruit and vegetables , which they arranged on a long table. Those were lean years and everyone depended upon the produce from their gardens to supplement the small incomes of the Depression days. That was the beginning of the Lacamas Community Fair, which, with the exception of the war years, has been an annual event ever since.

No admission has ever been charged. In fact, it was once said that "you don't spend a dime at the Lacamas Community Fair except to eat." The expense of the fair has been defrayed by local activities and support of local businesses, merchants and individuals." Lacamas Fair Book