Fair planning is underway

By Terry Murry on Monday, March 22nd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

HERMISTON – Planning is underway for the Umatilla County Fair and Farm City Pro Rodeo for 2021. County Commissioner Dan Dorran said that both the fair and rodeo boards of directors are being cautiously optimistic.

“We’re looking at starting from a full fair and a full rodeo,” Dorran said. “Then, if protocol demands, (we can) dial it back to whatever is needed.”

Dorran says the city of Hermiston has made commitments on having the fairgrounds at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center in great shape, and Umatilla County Fire District No. 1 has done a study involving usable square footage if COVID-19 causes limitations to public gatherings. Meanwhile, planning as if a green light is shining make sense.

“If you’re going to line up contractors, vendors, entertainers – all of those different items that go into putting these events together – you can’t start low and the go high,” Dorran said.

The fair and rodeo are scheduled for Aug. 11-14.