Northwest Washington Fair Magazine 2017

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2017 Fair Magazine

Lynden Tribune

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2017 Fair Magazine

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Fair Magazine Grandstand Features: August 14-19, 2017

Inside Pages: 28. An overview of what to expect at this year’s fair

8. Monday — Demolition Derby

30. Meet Livi Marker, the 2017 Miss Lynden Rodeo

10. Tuesday-Wednesday — Lynden PRCA Rodeo

42. Read the story of the Wilders, a family keeping their

14. Thursday — Night Ranger

46. Femmie and Dale Rutgers enjoy running the fair shuttle buses

39. Learn about racing pigeons with the Thunderbirds 4H Club tradition of Percheron draft horses 50. The fair’s iconic clock tower is brand-new this year

18. Friday — Scotty McCreery 24. Saturday — Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias

54. Matt Aamot is the fair’s new superintendent of poultry 58. Sardis Raptor Center lets fairgoers get up close to majestic birds 60. Matt Koetje serves as the fair’s newest board member

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Lynden Tribune

2017 Fair Magazine

Grandstand

Monday

August 14

Demolition Derby

Evening Demo Derby show to be on Facebook Live

The 40th annual Northwest Washington Fair Demolition Derby will have afternoon and evening shows on Monday, Aug. 14, with the night program being carried on Facebook Live.

Monday crash-bang event holds its allure across 40 years at Lynden fair

For the 40th year of the Northwest

Washington Fair’s ever-popular demolition derby, the milestone anniversary will be marked by additions to enhance the experience for everyone involved.

With a sold-out crowd anticipated for the evening show of the smash-andcrash spectacle on Monday, Aug. 14, the derby will be broadcast in real time on Facebook Live, according to derby or-

ganizer Mike Scholten. This broadcast will be made possible through the use of drone flight technology, offering fans overhead views of the 7:30 p.m. show.

An afternoon version of the derby will also occur at 12:30 p.m. Monday, but will not be made available on Facebook.

A new competition class has also been added this year, an event called

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2017 Fair Magazine

A new category is on tap for this year’s derby, an event called the Chain and Go. It will only occur during the evening show. the Chain and Go. Scholten said this is a “minimum build” class in which more rookie drivers will likely start. Chain and Go will only occur during the evening program.

Other categories from previous years — including big-car, small-car, big-truck and small-truck divisions as well as the Jump Your Junk competition (added in 2014) — remain the same and will be featured during both 2017 shows.

Some names to keep an eye on include last year’s winner in the big-car division, Wayne Vis. While his first victory came in 2016, Vis is a long-time derby participant and has been involved every year since 1994. He was also named Derby Man of the Year last summer and took part in the Chain and Go during the Sumas derby in September.

Vis said he is “addicted” to the competitive nature of the demo derby. “You have to be as good as you can be (at the derby),” he said.

Another local favorite is Ben Lagerway, of Lynden, who placed third in the August derby’s big-car class but managed a victory during the Sumas showcase, his second straight crown. Lagerway previously won the big-truck title in 2008 and 2013.

Derby regular Richard Hamner of Montana is also returning to the arena in the big-truck ranks. He won the big-car event in 1990, 1999 and 2003 and won the big-truck championship in 2006.

Hamner’s son, Brad, will join his dad with a matching truck at this year’s event.

Scholten said about 70 competitors are expected in the derby, a mark that has been fairly consistent over the past three years. Most of the drivers are local, but some, the Hamners, for instance, travel serious lengths to take part in Lynden’s destructive excitement.

Participants can look forward to a larger payout in this year’s derby, as the prize money is increased by 40 percent

from last year. “We negotiated a better deal (with the fair),” Scholten said.

Tickets for the afternoon show, not including general fair admission, cost $10 while the evening show costs $18.

You can purchase tickets, if available, online at www.nwwafair.com/events/2017/ demolition-derby.

In each of the past two years, the Whatcom Demo Derby Club, of which Scholten is the president, has put on a second derby show in Sumas in September. While the event was a smashing success drawing many fans, the “act two” of the derby — set for Sept. 23 — has been moved to Lynden to accommodate the popularity of the show.

“Sumas is just too small of a venue and we ended up over capacity,” Scholten said. The fair has been really accommodating in allowing the September version to be held at the fairgrounds, he said.

— Nick Elges

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Lynden Tribune

2017 Fair Magazine

Grandstand

Tuesday, Wednesday Lynden PRCA Rodeo

August 15-16

Rodeo has new stock supplier, announcer and clown this year Buckin’ bronc Virgil, helping lots of cowboys win, is coming to Lynden too There may be a new feel to this 13th round of the Lynden PRCA Rodeo, which is on Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 1516, of the fair.

That’s because 2017 is bringing in a new stock contractor, a new arena announcer and a new rodeo clown.

Here’s a look at each:

Jody Carper was in rodeo himself before shifting to event announcing fulltime. (Courtesy photo)

C5 Rodeo, stock contractor Have you heard of F13 Virgil? Better get acquainted. The hot buckin’ bronc that won the Calgary Stampede in July (for a second time) is coming to Lynden.

The horse is with C5 Rodeo Company, of Alberta, Canada, the new stock provider for the Lynden rodeo.

Cowboy Richie Champion was aboard Virgil — who is the reigning Reserve Bareback Horse of the Year for PRCA — as the pair rocked and rolled to

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Both the buckin’ bronc Virgil and rodeo clown Matt Merritt are coming to this year’s Lynden rodeo. (Courtesy photo) a 90.5 score in Calgary. A 91 is the best bareback riding mark in 12 years of the Lynden PRCA Rodeo.

“Riders have been winning on him everywhere,” said Selena Burgess, local coordinator for the Lynden fair rodeo.

Of C5 Rodeo, Burgess says, “Their stock is really amazing and their bucking horses are helping cowboys win a lot of money this year.”

Gillian Grant, former Miss Rodeo Canada and now spokeswoman for C5, said the company is excited to be chosen to bring 70-90 roughstock to Lynden, hopefully to make 2017 the best rodeo ever.

Grant paid a visit in February and

found the organizing committee here to be “an outstanding group of people” to work with and Lynden to be an attractive location all-around.

C5 has grown a lot in just four years and is very involved in providing quality stock for all levels of rodeo in both the United States and Canada, Grant said. The bulls, horses and steers are assembled in Montana for trucking into the Columbia River rodeo circuit.

As to Virgil, he has indeed become a bareback bronc to be reckoned with in the rodeo world, with a liveliness of charisma, personality and style that cowboys like to see, although Grant will agree “it all depends on the combination with the

rider.”

Jody Carper, announcer Rodeo was totally a part of Jody Carper’s life while growing up with a brother in Big Spring, Texas. They competed in all the timed events in junior rodeo and high school rodeo.

But Jody wasn’t just a contestant.

From early on when they “played rodeo” at their house, Jody would be the announcer. It just seemed natural for him — and others noticed, too. In 1991, barely out of high school, Jody was asked to announce the local high school rodeo.

That got him to being hired to announce junior and amateur rodeos all around Continued on page 12

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In bareback riding the cowboy wants to stay on board while the horse wants to get him off. (Tribune file photo) Texas.

After college, Jody decided to chase his calf roping dreams and he quickly became a PRCA card holder. He competed in pro rodeo for several years traveling from coast to coast. While on a spring run in California, he met his future wife, Kelli.

He eventually moved to California and wrapped up his tie-down roping career with a California Circuit finals qualification in 2003.

At that point, he decided it was time to shift his focus back to his other passion and obtained his PRCA Announcer card and pursued announcing full-time. Jody and Kelli were married in 2005 and they feel they have been blessed to be able to build their lives traveling to rodeos together ever since.

Jody has been selected three times by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to announce the National Finals Rodeo steer roping and two times as the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo announcer. He has also announced hundreds of local rodeos across the United States and Canada.

Matt Merritt, rodeo clown Matt Merritt, in his role as the exclusive entertainer of the PBR Velocity Tour, keeps crowds across the country laughing. He’s also known for his dancing skills — which Merritt agrees might sound “a bit unique” for rodeo — but it all works to create an atmosphere that’s fun for the audience, all ages.

Merritt has been in rodeo crowd

entertainment for 17 years and he says he was up in Lynden for an indoor fairgrounds event once.

In late July Merritt, who lives in North Carolina, was doing various stops in California before striking out for the trip to the Northwest.

Special emphases As to special emphases of the Lynden PRCA Rodeo, Tuesday will be Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night, at which cancer survivors and those who have lost their battle with cancer will be honored at a special presentation, Burgess said.

Wednesday evening will be Patriot Night, honoring military personnel as well as America.

— Calvin Bratt

Ferndale Record

Lynden Rodeo Arena Results Bareback Riding 2005 — Bobby Mote, 68 2006 — Cody DeMers, 76 2007 — Kirk Giovanini and Dave Worsfold, both 78 2008 — Dan Ketter, 78 2009 — Dave Worsfold, 78 2010 — Jason Havens, 83 2011 — Brian Bain, 86 2012 — Justin McDaniel, 91 2013 — Ryan Gray, 89 2014 — Grant Denney, 80 2015 — Steven Peebles, 85 2016 ­— Nick Gutzwiler and Wyatt Bloom, both 81.5 Saddle Bronc Riding 2005 — Chance Millin 2006 — Scott Miller and Johnny Hammack, both 78 2007 — Kayle Gray, 80 2008 — Kaleb Asay, 79 2009 — Ad Bugenig and Jake Wright, both 79 2010 — Billy Etbauer, 80 2011 — Kayle Gray, 85 2012 — Heath DeMoss and Louie Brunson, both 82 2013 — Bryce Miller, 83 2014 — Cole Stremler and Ben Londo, both 82 2015 — Shorty Garret, 89 2016 ­— Layton Green, 79 Bull Riding 2005 — Myron Duarte 2006 — Zeb Lanham, 86 2007 — Clint Craig, 82

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2017 Fair Magazine 2008 — Stormy Wing, 89 2009 — Colin McTaggart, 83 2010 — Shawn Hogg, 86 2011 — Laine Baze, 89 2012 — Dakota Beck, 79 2013 — Parker Breding, 71 2014 — Allen Helmuth and Dallee Mason, both 81 2015 — Corey Maier, 85 2016 ­— Cody Ford, 85.5 Tie-Down Roping 2005 — Jeff Coelho and Paul Cope, both 9.1 2006 — Seth Hopper, 9.0 2007 — Doug Pharr, 8.3 2008 — Kody Curry, 7.5 2009 — Justin Maass, 6.6 2010 — Shank Edwards, 8.6 2011 — Luke Jeffries, 8.1 2012 — Trevor Brazile, 6.9 2013 — Blair Burk, 7.6 2014 — Chase Williams, 7.6 2015 — Jake Pratt. 8.0 2016 ­— Matt Shiozawa, 8.0 Steer Wrestling 2005 — Michael Stevens, 4.0 2006 — Joey Bell Jr., 3.7 2007 — Les Shepperson, 3.6 2008 — Beau Franzen and Travis Taruscio, both 4.1 2009 — Trevor Knowles, 3.4 2010 — four-way tie of Travis Carnine, Gabe Ledoux, Dean Gorsuch and Brad Johnson, 4.2 2011 — Dean Gorsuch, 3.9 2012 — Dakota Eldridge and Blake Knowles, 3.9 2013 — Travis Taruscio, 3.3 2014 — Curtis Cassidy, 3.7 2015 — Clayton Hass, 4.0 2016 ­— Ty Erickson, 3.8 Team Roping 2005 — Brett Hale/Will Schmidt, 7.4

2006 — Riley Minor/B.J. Campbell, 5.3 2007 — Blaine Linaweaver/Richard Durham, 6.1 2008 — B.J. Campbell/Russell Cardoza, 6.4 2009 — David Key/Rich Skelton, 4.5 2010 — David Key/Brad Culpepper 2011 — Clay Tryan/Travis Graves, 4.5 2012 — Clay Tryan/Travis Graves, 4.7 2013 — Turtle Powell/Dugan Kelly, 4.3 2014 — Chad Masters/Clay O’Brien Cooper, 4.9 2015 — Aaron Tsinigine/Ryan Motes, 4.0 2016 ­— Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 4.6 Barrel Racing 2005 — Barb West, 15.39 2006 — Linzie Walker, 15.90 2007 — Codi Baucom, 16.22 2008 — Brenda Mays, 16.33 2009 — Sherry Cervi, 16.05 2010 — Kelli Tolbert, 16.25 2011 — Sheena Robbins, 15.58 2012 — Brenda Mays, 15.15 2013 — Brenda Mays, 16.29 2014 — Kathy Grimes, 16.27 2015 — Samantha Boone, 16.00 2016 ­— Kathy Grimes, 16.82 All-Around (two or more events) 2006 — B.J. Campbell 2007 — Brian Garr 2008 — B.J. Campbell and Russell Cardoza 2009 — Ryan Jarrett 2010 — Jim Ross Cooper 2011 — None 2012 — Trevor Brazile 2013 — Blake Deckard 2014 — Russell Cardoza 2015 — Clayton Hansen 2016 ­— Russell Cardoza Boldface indicates overall record-holder in event

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2017 Fair Magazine

Lynden Tribune

Grandstand

Thursday

Night Ranger

August 17

Night Ranger brings hard rock sound Formed in 1982, band is still producing new albums and songs in 2017

Night Ranger will play at the fair in a free, general admission performance.

Thirty-five years after the inception of the band, Night Ranger is still rockin’ on — and coming to the 2017 Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden.

Their grandstand appearance on Thursday, Aug. 17, is a free general admission show.

Night Ranger epitomizes and transcends the sound of the 1980s. The band has been able to bring its guitarheavy, melodic brand of hard rock into the modern day with talent, energy and creativity.

Formed in 1982 in San Francisco, Night Ranger released first studio album “Dawn Patrol” that year, peaking at number 38 on the U.S. charts. The first single, “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,” reached number 40. In their early years,

Ferndale Record

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2017 Fair Magazine

Night Ranger started out opening for bands like Ozzy Osbourne and ZZ Top in the San Francisco Bay Area. the band played in small clubs around the Bay Area and opened for acts like ZZ Top and Ozzy Osbourne.

After the release of their second studio album, “Midnight Madness,” Night Ranger started headlining its

own tours in 1984. This album also brought the highest peaking single, “Sister Christian,” which hit the number 5 spot in the U.S. and the number 1 spot in Canada.

Night Ranger released five studio

albums during the 1980s, including “7 Wishes,” which had three top-20 singles and peaked at number 10 on the U.S. charts. That album went platinum (1 million sales), along with “Midnight Madness.” After a brief break-up of the Continued on page 16

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Lynden Tribune

All through the years, Night Ranger has continued to release new music, even though the band is 35 years old. band in 1989 to pursue other opportunities, they all came back together to release “Feeding off the Mojo,” “Neverland” and “Seven” in the 1990s.

Night Ranger produced “Hole in the Sun” in 2007, followed by “Somewhere in California” in 2011 and “High Road” in 2014.

Today, the band is made up of original members Kelly Keagy (drums and vocals), Brad Gillis (lead and rhythm guitars) and Jack Blades (bass and vocals), along with Eric Levy (keyboards) and Keri Kelli (lead and rhythm guitars).

“We have a lot of fun on stage, we

all get along backstage, we keep the fun going by keeping the humor around us, and joking and having a good time, but when we get on stage, we get serious,” says member Brad Gillis.

In March of this year, Night Ranger released yet another new studio album, “Don’t Let Up.” The first single,

Ferndale Record “Somehow Someway,” was released in January, followed by “Don’t Let Go” and “Comfort Me.” Gillis says fans at the Lynden fair can expect to hear a variety of Night Ranger’s hits, including the new single “Somehow Someway.”

“It’s an up-tempo tune that’s very fun and exciting to play. So I think you will be hearing that when we come to town,” he said.

Night Ranger has sold 17 million albums worldwide, and the plan is to keep making music in the coming years. “Every couple years, we try to release something new to keep the creative energy flowing within the band,” Gillis said.

The band is on the road doing 80 to 100 shows a year, and the most exciting part of live performance is the audience singing the lyrics back, according to Gillis.

“We have always put a lot of energy into our shows, and we want to make it the best experience for the audience as possible,” he said. “We’re all looking forward to coming up north and playing for everybody, and hopefully we’ll have a good crowd, and we’ll definitely give you all a great show,” Gillis said.

— Bailee Mulder

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2017 Fair Magazine

Night Ranger performs 80 to 100 live shows annually.

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2017 Fair Magazine

Grandstand

Friday

August 18

Scotty McCreery

Scotty McCreery bringing his deep, smooth voice to Lynden grandstand ‘American Idol’ winner of 2011 has refined his classic country stylings

McCreery isn’t the same teen who won “American Idol” in 2011.

On the docket for the fair this year is country music singer Scotty McCreery.

But McCreery isn’t the same baby-faced novice he may be remembered as — even though he still carries that same iconic deep bass tone. Six years after winning TV’s “American Idol” in 2011, McCreery has undergone a lot of refinement.

“I think mainly [I] wasn’t just changing, but growing up,” says McCreery, reflecting back. “I started at 16 and 17 years old and didn’t know what the heck I was doing. I was still learning and the last few years I’ve been trying to be a sponge and learn from other acts and learn the business.

“Anyone from that age, from 16 to 23 years old, changes a lot and grows up a lot. I’ve just been doing it in the public eye and all the jazz.”

McCreery, now 23, has had the chance to share the stage with other

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“I think mainly I wasn’t just changing, but growing up.” musical country stars including Tim McGraw, and in March he co-headlined the Stampede Music Festival in New Zealand with LeAnn Rimes. Similar to McCreery, Rimes reached stardom at a young age following the release of her version of the Bill Mack song “Blue.”

Rimes was only 13 at the time.

It was also the first time McCreery had visited New Zealand. “That was incredible,” McCreery said of his time overseas. “I didn’t know what to expect.

I didn’t know if the fans there would know my stuff … the fans blew us away and knew every word of every song.”

And with McCreery’s two full albums (including a Christmas disc), that’s a whole lot of lyrics to memorize.

Back before fans knew the words to his music, before McCreery had his first audition on “Idol,” he was just another 16-year-old boy in Garner, North Carolina, playing baseball and singing along to his favorite country tunes.

It was ultimately one of his favorites, the tune “Your Man” by Josh Turner, that showcased the surprisingly deep, smooth vocals that young McCreery was working with and put him Continued on page 20

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A new album by McCreery is planned to be released sometime this year or in early 2018. on the path toward fame.

Recently, McCreery has been writing songs for an upcoming album to be released sometime in late 2017 or early 2018. When it comes to creating songs for an album, the singer said he doesn’t have a set process — every song is different. He did say, however, that his

music draws on personal experience.

“For me it’s mostly real life stuff,” McCreery said.

“It’s tough for me to sing about imaginary things, especially when I’m writing it.

If I’m writing a song, I got to have lived it or know someone who has lived it. Some folks are great about imagin-

ing things. But for me, it has to be first-hand experience.”

The inspiration behind his latest song “Five More Minutes” was the passing of his grandfather. The music video, directed by Jeff Ray, features home video footage of McCreery with his grandfather, and other family members and friends, when

he was younger — showcasing the people he’d like to have five more minutes with.

The song, released on May 5, reached number 2 on the iTunes country singles chart and number 9 on the iTunes all-genre singles chart.

Continued on page 22

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“If I’m writing a song, I got to have lived it or know someone who has lived it.”

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Lynden Tribune

2017 Fair Magazine

“It’s is a different kind of environment for us. We get to let loose and we enjoy it.”

— On performing at a fair

“Five More Minutes” is McCreery’s latest single and the video features footage from when he was a child.

The song has been played over 5 million times on Spotify and has had nearly 8 million streams in total since being released.

And it’s the same song that McCreery performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville during the Country Music Awards Music Festival

on June 10, 2016. Two weeks later, after the appearance was uploaded onto YouTube, the performance became a fan favorite and was watched by millions of viewers. McCreery later won the 2016 Rare Country Award for Grand Ole Opry Moment of the Year in December 2016 for this per-

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formance.

Now Whatcom residents will get a chance to see the singer belt one out in person.

McCreery is performing concerts across the country throughout 2017. He is at the Northwest Washington Fair grandstand in Lynden on Friday, Aug. 18. McCreery said

he’s excited to perform for the people at the fair. “It’s a different kind of environment for us,” he said. “We get to let loose and we enjoy it.”

For more information on the country music performer, visit www.scottymccreery. com.

— Ashley Hiruko

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2017 Fair Magazine

Scotty McCreery: a look through the years In 2012, McCreery picked up the Academy of Country Music award for Best New Artist. Other artists to pick up coveted awards during the annual celebration are Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood.

McCreery during his first audition for “American Idol.” The country singer belted out country classic “Your Man” by Josh Turner for judges Steven Tyler, Randy Jackson and Jennifer Lopez. He was the youngest winner of the show back in 2011 when he was crowned the top of season 10.

McCreery performs at the Grand Ole Opry in 2012. He covered the tune “The Dance,” originally performed by country singer Garth Brooks.

Years later, McCreery perfomed his own song “Five More Minutes” at the Grand Ole Opry.

A recent photo shows McCreery with longtime girlfriend Gabi Dugal, after she caught the bouquet at a wedding.

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Lynden Tribune

2017 Fair Magazine

Grandstand

Saturday

Gabriel “Fluff y” Iglesias

August 19

The fair brings Fluffy to Lynden First comedian to headline a fair grandstand show, Gabriel Iglesias is expected to put on a sold-out show Saturday night When the Northwest Washington Fair chooses its grandstand entertainers each year, it has two primary focuses: variety and diversity.

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2017 Fair Magazine

Gabriel Iglesias regularly sells out arena comedy shows, including Madison Square Garden in New York. music, and we try to have a variety of those,” fair manager Jim Baron said. “A comedian is something that we haven’t had before.”

That will change this year when Ga-

briel “Fluffy” Iglesias takes the grandstand stage as the fair’s closing-night act on Saturday, Aug. 19.

“He’s got a lot of tour stops, and he’s pretty popular, that’s for sure,” Baron

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“SOLD OUT” is a common phrase to see written next to Iglesias’ online tour listings, and Baron is sure the fair Continued on page 26

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Gabriel Iglesias began stand-up comedy in 1997, performing in whatever venues would have him. will be no different.

Iglesias was born in Chula Vista, California, the youngest of six children, and

he was raised by his single mother in Long Beach, and he developed his sense of humor to help him deal with

some of the difficult times in his life.

In 1997 Iglesias was ready to sharpen his comedy

skills. He began performing his stand-up brand of humor anywhere he could, from biker bars to hole-in-the-wall

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27

spots. His comedy style is essentially a mixture of stories, parodies, characters, voices and sound effects that help to heighten his personal experiences.

In fact, his animated style is part of what helps him appeal to all ages.

Iglesias’ popularity is evident online, with more than 300 million views on YouTube. He consistently sells out his arena shows. He is one of a select few comedians who have managed to sell out both Madison Square Garden and the Microsoft Theater.

His current tour is titled the “FluffyMania World Tour: 20 Years of Comedy.”

Iglesias’ talents extend beyond just standup comedy, however. He has appeared in a wide variety of movies and TV shows, including “Magic Mike,” “Magic Mike XXL,” “The Book of Life,” “Planes,” “The Nut Job” and “Fluffy Breaks Even,” among others.

“Fluffy Breaks Even” recently changed over to “Fluffy Food Adventures,” in which Iglesias and his eccentric tourmates and fellow comedians Martin Moreno, Rick Gutierrez, G Reilly and Alfred Robles travel coast to coast on a culinary trip in search of the best food in each area.

This year, he stars in “Smurfs: The Lost Village” as well as “Ferdinand,” both animated movies.

At the end of last year, Iglesias released his sixth one-hour comedy special,

Iglesias’ current tour, FluffyMania, celebrates his 20 years in the world of stand-up comedy.

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titled “Sorry For What I Said When I Was Hungry,” distributed worldwide on Netflix. The special was filmed at the Allstate Arena in Chicago across two soldout shows in front of a total of 20,000 fans.

Iglesias has a close relationship with Comedy Central, having released specials

and programming via the channel.

The cable network premiered “Gabriel Iglesias: Aloha Fluffy” in a two-night run to more than 15 million viewers. The special was a followup to his previous DVD specials, “Hot & Fluffy” and “I’m Not Fat…I’m Fluffy.”

— Brent Lindquist

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Lynden Tribune

Comedian may be a first, but agriculture is still the core Animals from local farms remain a strong attraction, fair manager says It’s a first for the Northwest Washington Fair to have a stand-up comedian scheduled as an evening’s main show in the grandstand. But in Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, fairs like Lynden are jumping on a surge of national renown for the comedian, driven strongly by internet viewing. His show is expected to be a sellout.

This year’s entertainment slate also includes “American Idol” winner and country star Scotty McCreery, the hard-rock sound of Night Ranger, the Lynden PRCA Rodeo and the always-popular demolition derby.

But the core of the Northwest Washington Fair remains agriculture, according to fair manager Jim Baron.

“The extensive support we receive from farmers, FFA members and 4-H members who bring us draft horses, cows, goats, pigs and much more enables us to promote understanding and appreciation of agriculture in Whatcom County,” Baron said. “And these animals are quite popular with fairgoers.”

Grandstand shows, the animals, a carnival, all the fair food, and more will together make up the six-day 107th annual Northwest Washington Fair that opens next Monday, Aug. 14.

The Lynden fair, which draws close to 200,000 attendees each year, will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Gate admission is $13 for adults, $11 for seniors 62 and older, and $8 for children ages 6-12. Children 5 and younger are admitted free.

Through Aug. 13 discounted admission tickets (adults, $11; seniors, $9; children, $7) are available at Haggen Northwest Fresh stores and Peoples Bank branches in Whatcom County. Family value packs of two adult admission tickets, two children’s admission tickets and two one-day carnival passes are offered exclusively at Little Caesars Pizza locations, and all-day carnival passes for $26 (regularly $33) are available at Little Caesars as well.

The Bank of the Pacific Grandstand Entertainment Series starts with the demo-

Whether hypnosis, magic or music, it’s always some version of fun on the Festival Stage. (Tribune file photo) lition derby on Monday, Aug. 14 (shows at 12:30 and 7:30 p.m.). The Lynden PRCA Rodeo then draws some of the top professional cowboys and barrel racers in the world for competition at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 15-16. The rodeo is followed by three top-flight entertainment acts, all at 7:30 p.m.: Night Ranger on Thursday, Aug. 17; McCreery on Friday, Aug. 18; and Iglesias on Saturday, Aug. 19.

Tickets for all of the grandstand entertainment can be purchased at www.nwwafair.com and the fair office, 1775 Front St., Lynden, and by phone at 1-877-699-FAIR. VIP packages also are available for each performance. Grandstand tickets don’t include gate admission.

Healthy practices, such as washing hands and drinking plenty of fluids, will continue to be emphasized at the fair.

“An excellent preventive measure at the fair and anywhere is washing hands thoroughly and frequently,” Baron said. “There are 24 hand-washing stations throughout the fairgrounds in addition to the public restrooms.”

Noteworthy about the 2017 Northwest Washington Fair: • Free grandstand horse shows are presented at noon and 5 p.m. Aug. 15-19 with the exception of 5 p.m. Saturday due to the extensive setup of video screens required for Iglesias. Separate draft horse shows are scheduled at 1:15 p.m. Aug. 15-16 in the Washington Tractor Arena.

• Children 10 and younger are admitted for free Aug. 15-16 to the Lynden PRCA

Rodeo.

• Two premier magicians, Tony Oberio and Adam the Great, will amaze and make you laugh on the Banner Bank Festival Stage and while walking around the fairgrounds.

Also, the popular music group Time Benders is back on Festival Stage with its fastmoving choreography, amazing costume changes and songs from different genres.

The entertainment here near the Front Street main gate is daily from late morning through the evening.

• Carnival rides and games for all ages will be operating from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

• The Wenatchee Youth Circus, “The Biggest Little Circus in the World,” returns with high-wire and flying trapeze artists, fire acts and aerial acts after becoming a hit with fairgoers last year. Performances are scheduled for 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. the first five days and at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. Saturday.

Most grandstand performances do not include gate admission, which is required.

These are the show prices: • Demolition Derby — reserved grandstand seating $10 for the 12:30 p.m. show, $18 for the 7:30 p.m. show.

• Lynden PRCA Rodeo, 7:30 p.m. both days, $15 for ages 11 and older, ages 10 and younger admitted free.

• Night Ranger, preferred seats $25, general admission free.

• Scotty McCreery, preferred seats $35; reserved seats $25.

• Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, preferred seats $50; reserved seats $30.

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Lynden Tribune

Queen role is a partnership with your horse Livi Marker, 18, rides trusted Willy, 19; ‘nothing fazes him’ In her role as 2017 Miss Lynden Rodeo, Livi Marker must attend many weekend events to represent the Lynden PRCA Rodeo at other rodeos and parades.

Her stint as Miss Lynden Rodeo is going very fast. It has coincided with Livi’s senior year at Burlington-Edison High School, serving as team captain of the area’s high school equestrian team, and working two part-time jobs.

The Skagit County 18-year-old knew she wanted to run for the title several years ago, but allowed herself Continued on page 32

The Skagit teen is already participating in regional rodeos, with Lynden’s being the climax for her. (Courtesy photos)

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extra time to prepare for it. And now she will serve to the end of this year, allowing some months of overlap with her successor.

While Miss America may showcase an evening gown, swimsuit and entertainment talent on a stage, running for rodeo queen involves a five-minute video of the candidate astride her horse performing equestrian skills fast and furious with dust flying. She also needs to be able to knowledgably discuss horsemanship and professional rodeos in a succinct speech to the Northwest Washington Fair board of directors. Those skills will be tested, and used, during Miss Lynden Rodeo’s reign.

Livi’s story is that she comes from a combined family of eight children and was homeschooled until high school.

Her father, Mike, is in law enforcement, and her mother, Marcie, is a nurse in labor and delivery rooms. Their house is “the hangout place” for a large circle of friends. From an early age, her mother’s passion both for nursing and for horses was passed on to Livi, took hold and grew.

The Marker three-acre property has not only accommodated a large family — kids ranging in age from 13 to 32

— but five horses. Several of those are Marcie’s, but Livi works with two of them with Willy as her main horse.

Willy is a brown registered American Quarter Horse. At age 19 he has “been there and done that,” Livi explains. “Nothing fazes him. ... He’s super ‘bombproof.’” Standing 14.3 hands tall, Willy isn’t the tallest horse around, but he handles crowds like a seasoned pro.

From their days in 4-H, when Livi was only 9, to the equestrian team, barrelracing and roping events of today, they have grown together as horse and rider.

Livi also enjoys traveling with close friend Hannah Holmes, who is in the role of Miss Pro West. She credits her older brother Donnie with a good work ethic that she strives to emulate. “If you work hard, good things will happen,” she says.

Chaperone Selena Burgess helps Livi to navigate the events and interviews. Mom is her “wing man.”

Days start and end with a list of chores on the farm and cleaning the barn before going to serve coffee as a barista and then on to work at Coastal Farm and Ranch. Both employers are flexible, she said, so that her 40 hours are completed early in the week, enabling her to travel on the weekend.

Livi Marker

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“Our parents raised us to work for things,” she said.

After rodeo, Marker plans to continue her medical studies. In her junior year of high school she took training in nurse assisting. Becoming an RN like her mother is on the agenda. Already, community college coursework has given her a good jump-start and confirmed that this is her passion.

Nurse training, she is sure, will push her — like rodeo — “to go a bit above and beyond” in what she expects of herself.

Both the farm and rodeo involve her family. Coming up behind her is younger sister Mary Rose, 13, who often travels with Livi and picks up what she can.

“I want her to have success.” And who knows? Part of that success might be the Lynden Rodeo too.

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Lynden Rodeo is one of about 600 nationwide Lynden’s 2017 PRCA Rodeo is on Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 15-16, during the Northwest Washington Fair.

Performances take place at 7:30 p.m.

Continued on page 34

In rodeo, of course, it’s always a partnership with your horse. Livi’s faithful companion is Willy.

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The Miss Lynden Rodeo role continues through 2017, and then Livi will be working toward a career in nursing. each night. This will be the 13th year of the Lynden PRCA Rodeo.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association is headquartered in Colorado Springs. It is the largest and oldest rodeo-sanctioning body in the world.

Annually, around 600 PRCA-sanctioned multiple-event rodeos occur in

about 38 states and three or four Canadian provinces.

PRCA is committed to maintaining the highest standards in every area, from improving working conditions for contestants and monitoring livestock welfare to boosting entertainment value and promoting sponsors.

PRCA also supports youth rodeo with educational camps and financial assistance to young standouts preparing to enter the professional ranks, as well as allying with organizations such as Tough Enough to Wear Pink, Miss Rodeo America, the American Quarter Horse Association and the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

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Lynden Tribune

Ferndale Record

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2017 Fair Magazine

Racing pigeons just one thing you can learn about at the fair Thunderbirds 4-H Club willing to show and tell To the extent that a fair can be an educational experience, consider the Thunderbirds 4-H Club to be one of your teachers — on the history and characteristics of homing pigeons, that is.

How about these interesting factoids: • Carrier pigeons were in a scheme of leaking “insider information” from the New York stock market.

• Messenger pigeons are registered with the U.S. military and can be drafted into duty.

• Hitler felt so threatened by messaging pigeons in Europe that he wanted them killed.

• A species of pigeon fluffs up its wings and “barrel rolls” down a slope as a protective maneuver.

Nine members of the central Whatcom County club, which is based at the Mission Road home of leader Vicki Strand, will be at the Northwest Washington Fair, and they may want to share more stories. They will be in the poultry barn at the northeast side of the grounds.

But it will be a busy Monday, Aug. 14, for the youths and their birds first. They need to participate in the opening day parade and then immediately present for fitting and showing.

Otherwise this summer, the focus of Thunderbirds has been elsewhere, as everyone just enjoys this hobby. From a coop that is filled with many 1-year-old birds, the 4-H club of about a dozen has been gradually honing the homing instinct in the pigeons by releasing them greater and greater distances from home and letting them “race” back.

The young birds have been released

Members of Thunderbirds 4-H Club release pigeons to instinctively and immediately fly back to their coop as “home.” Bands are put on the birds’ legs as lifetime identification and for racing.

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from Skagit County by now, with a goal this year of getting them to navigate back the 105 miles from the Southcenter mall of Seattle.

In the past, older, more experienced pigeons have flown back from dropoff in Oregon, Strand said.

Weather is a factor for the birds. They need relatively clear skies to lock on to their destination. Sometimes they can get “lost.”

Predators are a threat. In particular, peregrine falcons, goshawks and cooper’s hawks like to swoop down and capture pigeons. But there are stories of evading even these raptors.

All homing pigeons get a lifetime numbered band on a leg. On the other leg may be attached a band just for a race.

There is a fairly complex procedure at the Strand place for counting a bird back in the enclosure and getting a time off a mechanical clock for its flight back home.

There are more than 200 different types of pigeons, and breeding is developing more.

To learn more, you’re just going to have to go to the Northwest Washington Fair and find a Thunderbird.

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Holding the reins of family tradition

Curt Wilder and sister Vicki, who began working with horses at a young age, are two of a large family continuing the tradition of showing draft horses.

Wilders keep up their lifestyle of showing Percheron draft horses

It’s 2 p.m. on a blistering Sunday. Only 22 days remain until the Northwest Washington Fair and Curt Wilder

is busy polishing a black harness outside his childhood home on Valley View Road.

The process takes a few days to complete, he said.

Curt is one of the five children who grew up in the Wilder household accustomed to the lifestyle of farming, 4-H and FFA — a lifestyle that kept the kids busy with horses rather than in front of a television screen.

The family has been involved with horses for as long

as anyone can remember.

Family photos show Curt and his older sister Vicki sitting atop horses at an age when most children are barely learning to ride a bike. “We’ve all been kind of with the horses right from day one,” Vicki Lewis said.

The family’s draft horses of the Percheron breed have been appearing at the Northwest Washington Fair since 1968. Galloping with grace, six grey speckled horses work

in unison to pull a wagon around the grandstand arena.

The spectacle of at least eight of the six–horse hitches, all from Whatcom County, on display at once evokes smiles on the fair attendees’ faces.

“People who don’t know what the horses are all about — the ones we’re putting them on display for and doing the exhibitions for — they’re always in awe,” Lewis said.

This is just one of many reasons why the family continues the long-standing tradition started by their father, Willard Wilder.

Influenced by his stepfather, a veterinarian who was heavily involved with draft horses, Willard fulfilled his dream of building a six-horse hitch.

Willard Wilder and his wife Charla first acquired Percherons after a friend had gone up to Alberta, Canada, in search of just two horses to be in a plowing match. Instead, what he found for them was six.

They purchased their first harness gear in Iowa. A wagon was bought locally.

From there, “everything just fell in line,” Charla Wilder said.

For years after the birth of five Wilder children, then grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, the Wilder Continued on page 44

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horses were a part of the fair in Lynden and also shown elsewhere including Monroe, Puyallup, the PNE in Vancouver and the Calgary Stampede. After Willard passed away in March 2014, the family continued to do what had always been done. “We’re trying to keep the tradition going since that was dad’s passion,” Lewis said.

Lewis takes the lead on purchasing items for the horses — dewormer, fly spray, things of that sort. She lives close by the Valley View homestead, which makes it easier for her to visit than those who live further away.

Lewis, brother Ken Wilder and sister Cheryl Lallas are usually found at the farm from day to day. Curt will come up on his days off and brother Craig has ponies of his own. But they all work together to take care of their family’s horses.

“You get emails from people who just can’t believe,”

Lewis said. “They can’t believe I’ll be out bucking bales, then going to work. But it’s well worth it in the long run.”

Of the horses, Cody is a definite favorite of the Wilders. He’s described as a tricky kind of horse. “He’s a character,” Curt said. “You put his halter on and you turn around and he has the halter off again.”

Cody, being one of the larger of the six hitch horses, runs alongside the wheel with Cash. Colt and Charger are arranged in the swing positions and Garth and Luke take the lead.

“Every horse is very unique and all have their different personalities,” Lewis said. “Everybody develops a love for each different horse.”

After experiencing more than 100 horses over the years, the family’s criteria for evaluating them have changed slightly. The preference used to be toward the showy high-

stepping kind. “Now, because we’re all getting a little bit older, we just want more of the better-natured, easy-going horses,” Lewis said. “Yeah, we want style and type, but we do more exhibitions now. I like the more easy-going horse.

That way, you can just work with them and not have problems.”

Last fall, the Wilders acquired a horse not quite of the body type the family wanted.

“But his personality was so great that he’s just staying with us,” Lewis said.

The horses, after being broken in, have to be conditioned and driven on a semiregular basis so that once the gate is open they know where to go. Driving the horses is also used to assess which horses work best together, so that when they’re driven at the fair, the horses don’t veer off from where the driver is directing them to go. The driver must be skilled and able to

properly maneuver the six reins guiding the horses at once.

There’s no set person to drive the horses from year to year. It’s whoever can do it.

This year, Curt Wilder will be taking the reins and driving the horses at the Lynden fair.

He will take about a month off work to also travel to shows in Monroe and Puyallup.

It takes time and effort to keep up the family tradition. On top of their fulltime schedules and getting the horses fair-ready, it is a lengthy process. But they consider it worthwhile.

“To put on a 20-minute show at the fair, it’s about six hours from the start in the morning until you’re putting the horses back in at night,” Curt Wilder said.

By late July, the horses were almost ready to be shown. Their shoes were put on and their clipping and trimming done. Other prep

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2017 Fair Magazine

work was well in progress, including getting the harnesses clean. “We could be there tomorrow if we had to put on a show,” Curt Wilder said.

And when the time finally comes for the fair in August, the horses will take to the arena and make all the hard work appear effortless — just as all the Wilder horses have done for so many years.

— Ashley Hiruko

Nine six-horse hitches in all In all, nine six-horse hitches will perform — in hard-driving action close to each other without collisions!

— twice each day Tuesday through Saturday at noon and 5 p.m.

The exception is there will be no Saturday evening show. The shows start in Washington Tractor Arena on Tuesday and Wednesday (separate draft horse shows at 1:15

Curt Wilder leads one of the horses at the family’s home in Custer. p.m.), then shift to the grandstand on Thursday.

Not only is this a rare appearance, but what is unique is that all of these draft horse farms are local, in Whatcom

County, said Jim Baron, fair manager.

Beside the Wilders, the six-horse hitches are of: Dan Cramer, Pete Groen, Bob Hamstra, Alan Manning,

Craig Shagren, Robert Watson, Dan Weidkamp and Paul Nelson. The Monica Henken herd performs as a draft horse drill team.

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Couple enjoys ‘interesting people’ on shuttle buses Fair manager: Free buses ‘best bargain there is’ Femmie Rutgers was already an experienced school bus driver, so why not also do the fair in the summer? Drive the free shuttle bus, that is.

She, along with husband Dale, have now been at it around 17 years — and actually they supervise the whole effort.

“You meet interesting people,” Femmie summarizes about driving the fair shuttle bus, even though the route driven is “round and round and round.”

They get to say hi to people they might only see at fairtime each year. Others are definitely visitors to town.

They encounter those from very young to quite old. They catch the first reaction to the grandstand entertainment of the night.

“And we have ladies who are there just to see the quilts.

We have some who have a destination, and that is all they are after,” Femmie said.

You might think that the “articulated” double-long buses the Northwest Washington Fair has used in recent years would be an extra challenge. Not to Femmie.

“You’re talking to a farm girl. It’s like pulling a hay wagon. They just follow right along,” she said.

It did help that the fair got a little extra turning clearance at the tight intersection of 17th and E streets.

For the last few years there have also been two routes to keep track of, Red to

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the west (19th Street) and Blue to the east (downtown), so when either Dale or Femmie gets into the driver’s seat as a backup, it’s important to remember which route they’re driving.

Sometimes riders don’t remember which of the nine shuttle bus parking lots they started from. The statement “we parked by a church” doesn’t help much either, as most of the lots are by churches. But it all gets figured out, and the passengers are safely delivered.

The First Christian Reformed Church parking lot is generally the busiest one, especially since it is on both the Red and Blue routes and closest to the fairgrounds.

The Rutgers couple must line up four other drivers who have the Commercial Driver’s License to do the two six-

hour shifts of the two routes, all six days of the Lynden fair.

The circuit of a bus is about 20 to 30 minutes, depending mostly on the volume of riders, which could also include children and strollers.

The buses do not take wheelchairs, however.

If conditions allow, the drivers will usually stop anywhere along their route where a person is flagging them down for a trip to the fair.

Usually everyone is in a good mood, Femmie said — after all, they’re going to the fair! “Everyone is so appreciative.” And riders may tip the driver if so inclined.

The comment she is surprised to hear is, “We didn’t know you did this.”

Jim Baron, fair manager, believes the shuttle buses are “the best bargain there is” for getting smoothly to and from

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Dale and Femmie Rutgers coordinate the free shuttle bus service between nine parking lots in town and the fairgrounds. the Northwest Washington Fair. Park for free in a designated lot and just board the bus when it shows up.

He wants to promote the shuttles more as some of the open areas around the fair-

grounds are being developed and are no longer available to be used for fair parking.

Another bonus is the fare-free week of Whatcom Transportation Authority buses across its system, plus

a final free departure back to Bellingham at 10 p.m. each day.

The shuttle buses, owned by the fairgrounds, are kept up throughout the year by Western Refinery Services.

But for fair week Dale Rutgers especially preps and services them. “Every morning we take a look at them, the fluids and lights and everything,” he said.

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New clock tower stands in same central spot Previous tower was blown down in 2016 windstorm; this one is bigger and stronger

The new Northwest Washington Fair clock tower will be about 30 feet tall.

“Meet me at the clock tower” can be a commonly heard phrase on the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds as individuals hustle and bustle amid the crowds there.

For more than 20 years, an iconic clock tower, originally a project of the Mount Baker Ro-

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Ferndale Record tary Club, has served as a primary landmark and meeting place for visitors to the fair. It was erected at its central spot in honor of fair manager Rich Waldemar, who died of cancer in 1991.

During a windstorm in the spring of 2016, however, the clock tower fell.

“It just literally sheared the legs off,” said Nate Kleindel, vice president of the fair board of directors and a Rotary Club member. “It just tipped over.

But there was nothing in the area at the time. A lot of times the grounds are full of trailers, so fortunately there was nothing like that.”

Prior to the damage to the clock tower, the Rotary club was already considering doing some repairs or upgrades to it, but the windstorm made a complete overhaul necessary.

Kleindel said the new structure is bigger and stronger.

“We’re going real heavyduty with six-by-eight treated Continued on page 52

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2017 Fair Magazine

Preparation of the site for a new clock tower was happening just a few weeks ago.

Actual tower construction was off site.

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Stremler Concrete created the concrete base for the new fairgrounds clock tower.

timber,” he said. “It’s an old windmill style, about 30 feet tall. It’s really beefy.”

That’s part of the idea — to incorporate the fair’s focus on agriculture into the clock tower. Local architect Mark K. Bratt did the design work, and the club added more beams to make the tower even stronger.

“It’s something that’ll turn with time and look rustic and like something you’d see in agriculture on the farm,” Kleindel said.

The clock tower represents a strong partnership between the Rotary club and the fair, one that has existed for a long time. The Mount Baker Rotary Building on the northeast side of the fairgrounds is further evidence of that.

“There’s just been a great working relationship between the two,” Kleindel said.

Ground was broken on the clock tower project on July 27 and it was expected to be completed for the 2017 fair’s opening on Aug. 14.

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New street lights and a reskinned Haggen Expo Building are a couple of other improvements that have been made at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds.

Good Clean Fun. The fair and rodeo are great places for summer fun.

Keep it clean this year with PeaceHealth’s hand-washing stations conveniently located throughout the fairgrounds.

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Matt Aamot named new superintendent of poultry

Matt Aamot, spent time in the poultry barn of the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds as a child involved in 4-H.

Being here also brings back memories of time shared with a departed brother

Matt Aamot’s recognition in the community comes from a variety of ways. Some know him from his involvement in 4-H as a child. Others may know him as the “tackler” of the 2011 fair shooter, although he says he did more “pointing out” to the authorities than anything physical involving

“

the assailant.

Now Aamot is the new superintendent of poultry for the Northwest Washington Fair, taking on a role some might say he was meant to be in.

Progress has been made in cleaning the poultry barn and freshening it up with Continued on page 56

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A new system will keep the barn cooler and mitigate the hotter days that can be tough on birds.

Aamot is also in charge of processing all the poultry entries and making sure the barn is set up to handle the number of contenders that have been submitted thus far.

A plan is already in place to sort the poultry by class and by breed, making it easier for the judges to go through and pick out the top placing birds specifically within each category.

This isn’t new territory for Aamot. He has extensive experience in poultry care. He showed poultry at the Lynden fair as a child in 4-H. “There weren’t very many kids doing poultry at that time,” Aamot said. “I was doing chickens and the cool kids were doing beef and dairy.”

But Aamot stuck with poultry. It’s where he was able to have some success and make a mark, he said. While others would showcase their Holsteins and Jerseys, Aamot prided himself on entering his various birds into the fair competitions. He exhibited turkeys for the first time during the late 1980s. From there, he moved into showing chickens.

“Poultry was my forte,” Aamot said. “And so it is a little bit like coming home [being superintendent of the poultry barn].”

Things have changed a bit since his childhood experiences at the fair. He’s noticed a decline in fanciers, people who specifically invest their time into raising poultry and improving different breeds of the pecking and clucking type. But Aamot remains hopeful that more people will become interested in focusing their attention on domestic fowl.

“We’ve lost most of that older generation that did really have a unique hobby,” Aamot said. “And it’s definitely turned more into the open

2017 Fair Magazine class, more of the backyard hobbyist. Chickens aren’t necessarily bred to be shown and have more of a pet quality.”

Although some show breeders do remain, Aamot hopes to inspire the backyard hobbyist to get further involved and try to raise the bar in chicken breeding.

What has improved, he said, is the number of 4-H poultry entries. That number used to cover one half of the end wall of the poultry barn.

Now over half of the entries will be 4-H kids.

“I love the growth in 4-H poultry and want to help encourage that in the future,” Aamot said. “I would like to make it more open, but a little more challenging for the kids — challenge the ones who have been in it for a little bit, but open and welcoming enough for those deciding if they want to show poultry or not.”

Being in the barn also brings Aamot closer in spirit to his brother Aaron. This is a place where the two brothers spent time together, and it brings back memories. They were similar in their interest in chickens and other poultry.

Aaron was killed at age 22 in action in Afghanistan in November 2009.

“Out of all my siblings, Aaron was the one most like me,” Aamot said. “He loved poultry the most and showed poultry the most. Being able to be superintendent of the barn he showed in is pretty neat for me. I think of Aaron a lot and miss him. This is a way to keep a connection with him.”

In his off time, Aamot has been raising milking sheep.

He and his business partner purchased a sheep flock from a dairy in Whatcom County and by next spring they hope to be sending the sheep’s milk down to Skagit County to be turned into cheese.

But for this summer, his sights remain on giving children experiences similar

Lynden Tribune

A boy in the poultry barn shows his bird to a fairgoer. to what he and his brother shared.

“I love the poultry barn and the history and my memories of it,” he said. “I want to

make sure it’s a great place to continue to make memories for kids for many years to come.”

— Ashley Hiruko

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Sardis Raptor Center teaches fairgoers about birds

Bird rescue and rehabilitation effort began in 1989 Even the world’s most majestic birds need a little tender loving sometimes, and the Sardis Raptor Center exists to provide it.

Founded in 1989 by Sharon Wolters, the Ferndalebased center will once again bring some of its feathered friends to the Northwest Washington Fair this year, giving fair visitors the opportunity to get close to birds of the wild.

“We answer a lot of questions. We also do two programs a day where we bring the birds out from under the display,” Wolters said. “We do a program with them and we talk about them more indepth.”

The presentation, titled “Hunters of the Sky,” covers the birds’ natural history, how they came to be cared for

by Sardis Raptor Center, the challenges they may face in the wild and why it’s important for people to be educated

about them.

The talk lasts about an hour, followed by a questionand-answer portion.

When Wolters founded the center in 1989, it was focused on the rehabilitation of all species. However, soon after, one of the largest eagle poisonings in history took place.

“That pretty much took care of the whole year’s budget,” Wolters said.

So the center narrowed its focus to raptors, as there was plenty of work to be done in that area.

Now the center has about 30 unreleasable permanent residents, many of which are the ones seen at the fair.

Those are in addition to rescued birds receiving ongoing rehabilitation.

Sardis specializes in the rehabilitation of endangered or threatened species while also providing emergency trauma care for all raptor species, with the goal of releasing these birds back into the wild once they are fully capable.

For more information about Sardis Raptor Center, visit www.SardisRaptor.org.

— Brent Lindquist

The Sardis Raptor Center near Ferndale has a “Hunters of the Sky” program that educates about large Northwest birds.

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Matt Koetje brings lifetime of fair connections to board team Newest board member has horse and dairy interests, worked backstage at grandstand Matt Koetje, the newest member of the Northwest Washington Fair board of directors, has always been a part of the annual Lynden event in some capacity.

In fact, the fair has been such a staple in his life that it feels like destiny carried Koetje to his new position.

After running for a board spot twice previously, Koetje was finally voted in at the annual Northwest Washington Fair Association meeting last November. He will serve a three-year term.

Matt Koetje with his family: wife Rachel, son Lincoln and daughter Haylee.

“Three’s my lucky number, I guess,” Koetje said.

He has lived in Lynden all his life, growing up in a family with connections decades old

in the fair.

Koetje’s grandfather, Neal Koetje, used to bring a sixhorse hitch to the fair back in the 1960s. Matt’s father, Larry

Koetje, eventually became interested in horses as well, sparking the son’s enthusiasm in fair livestock at a young age.

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the 4-H club Nooksack Valley Jr. Riders to further pursue his interest in horses. Upon graduating from Lynden High School in 1997, Koetje began working on a neighbor’s dairy farm. He still helps out on the farm when he has the time.

“Between horses and dairy animals, those are the animals I’m usually around,” he said.

For the past 16 years, Koetje has worked backstage in the fair, getting it ready for horse shows and handling the responsibility of watering the ground prior to shows to keep the dust down.

“I enjoyed every bit of it,” Koetje said. “We have a good crew of people and I made great relationships back there.

It’s going to be hard this year — I’m still going to help them out, I just won’t be able to be as committed as I was before.”

If being on the board of directors isn’t participation enough, Koetje’s 10-year-old daughter, Haylee, is taking

a dairy calf to the fair for the first time, adding extra meaning to this year’s festival for the family.

“I’m helping her get her calf ready, which is fun for her,” Koetje said. “She’s getting the experience I had in 4-H. She’s going to make new friends who are in that 4-H department. She’s going to meet new people. My wife (Rachel) is going to meet new moms (with dairy animals).”

The Koetjes also have a 7-year-old son, Lincoln, who enters Legos at the fair.

Meeting new people and learning their stories is one of Koetje’s favorite things about the August event. He also believes the fair is something that simply brings people from all over — not just Lynden — together. “(The fair) is a great place for people to come and be together and have a good time,” Koetje said. “When you see family members with their kids and see nothing but

smiles, that’s just great. You draw people in from Seattle and past Seattle. You draw people in from Canada.”

Koetje took over for longtime board member Verlyn Korthuis, who served for 11 years.

The focus of the board remains set on remembering what the Northwest Washington Fair is all about — providing a fun, safe place for people to come together and enjoy one of the great events Lynden has to offer.

“As a board, we’re trying to make the fair a better place,” Koetje said. “We want to make it better overall for everybody and make it so everyone enjoys coming to the fair. It’s not any easy job and you’re not going to please everybody, but you try to please the majority.”

The 12-member board meets the second Monday of every month throughout the year to prepare for the grand spectacle. Subcommittees for

the fair also meet monthly.

Aside from his fair duties, Koetje has worked in operations at the BP oil refinery for the past 13 years.

“I got interviewed three times and the third time I got hired,” Koetje said. “That’s why I think the number three is a good number.”

Now with a three-year board term on his plate, the number three will likely continue to be a favorite.

Others on the fair’s board of directors are president Chad Chambers (13 years of service); vice president Nate Kleindel (three years); secretary Deane Sandell (25 years); treasurer Marv Tjoelker (13 years); past presidents Lauren Meenderinck (27 years), Jim Hale (19 years) and Steve Vander Yacht (13 years); Bill DeGroot (11 years); Randy Smit (10 years); Lloyd Bos (five years); and Ron Polinder (two years).

— Nick Elges

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Wenatchee Youth Circus, leaping dogs and Small Animal Experience all back The Wenatchee Youth Circus will be back at the Lynden fair again this year, but with a new troupe of kids to wow the crowd with their high-wire and acrobatic acts.

These young performers continue to build their own self-esteem and skills through the opportunity to work together as well.

The Wenatchee Youth Circus was featured at the Smithsonion Folklife Festival 2017 and has also been on the PBS NewsHour and in TeenVogue magazine this summer.

Continued on page 64

The young performers of the Wenatchee Youth Circus were constantly drawing large crowds for their fair shows last year. It often meant looking up at their high-wire acts.

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Catch them this year, as they will not be back in 2018, said fair manager Jim Baron.

• The spectacle of dogs leaping off a dock into water — their splash on a hot fair day can be very refreshing — comes with a little different name this year.

The X-Treme AirDogs show is making its way along the West Coast this summer.

In their performances, dogs participate in different events of jumping off a platform into a pool of water, following their instincts and competing for the best time or distance.

Sit in the bleachers and cheer on the dogs.

• Small Animal Experience is a popular destination in the big Jansen agricultural barn. It has been a project of the Vander Veen family and the Barn Buddies 4H Club.

SAE is back and will look much as in the past, with an assortment of farm animals especially of the small and

X-Treme AirDogs is the company bringing canines leaping into water to the fair this year. cute type.

Brooke Vander Veen, now a high school ag teacher in eastern Oregon, said she is taking over more of the coordinating from her mom, Debbie. Brooke has done some shuttling this summer

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Advertising Index: Agricultural Sponsors..................... 39 Alvord-Richardson Construction Co. Inc...................................................34 Arne Hanna Aquatic Center........... 50 Ascending Tree Service..... 32, 45, 63 Bellingham SeaFeast 2017............ 36 Birch Bay Waterslides.................... 32 Blossoms........................................ 40 Bob’s Burgers & Brew.................... 72 Bode’s Precast Inc......................... 14 Business Directory......................... 66 Chad Chambers Auto Sales........... 60 CHS Northwest................................. 4 Community Pages........ 55, 57, 59, 61 Country Financial, Len Corneto...... 52 Cruisin Coffee................................. 13 Diehl Ford....................................... 65 Downtown Lynden Page................ 41 Elenbaas Company........................ 49 EPL Feed LLC................................ 64 Espresso Directory......................... 43 Farmers Equipment Co.................. 21 Ferndale Ready Mix & Gravel Inc.. 34 First Federal................................... 47 Grandview Golf Course.................. 22 Green Earth Technology................ 70

Haggen........................................... 71 Heston Hauling............................... 44 Homestead Farms Golf Club.......... 20 Les Schwab Wallgren Tire Center.. 69 Louis Auto & Residential Glass...... 47 LTI Inc............................................68 Lynden Door................................... 45 Lynden Human Life........................ 33 Lynden Performing Arts Guild........ 12 Lynden Pioneer Museum............... 48 Lynden Tribune..............................20 Lynden’s Fairway Center.................. 3 Maple Leaf Autobody..................... 18 Mark K. Bratt, Architect.................. 42 Mt. Baker Roofing, Inc.................... 62 Mt. Baker Vision Clinic................... 51 MyShan Dairy................................. 13 New York Life Insurance.................. 8 Nooksack Valley Disposal & Recycling Inc.......................................... 46 North County Christ The King........ 33 Northwest Farm Credit Services.... 27 Northwest Propane LLC................. 11 Overhead Door............................... 44 PeaceHealth................................... 53 Pizzanini Express........................... 63

Preferred Freezer Services............ 52 Premier Dental Center.................... 54 Rairdon’s of Bellingham................. 38 Ralph’s Floors................................ 10 RE/MAX Whatcom County Inc....... 30 Roger Jobs Volkswagen Inc............. 6 Scholten’s Equipment Inc............... 67 Silver Reef Casino.......................... 31 Skagit Bank...................................... 2 Sky High Pot Shop......................... 58 The Oostema Farmstead Inn......... 44 Tupper Dentistry............................. 40 Van Loo’s Auto Service.................. 46 Van’s Plumbing and Electric Inc..... 50 Vision Plus Lynden......................... 17 Walls & Windows Inc........................ 5 Western Travel Sales..................... 42 Westside Building Supply............... 46 Whatcom Builders Inc.................... 24 Whatcom Community College........ 37 Whatcom County Dairy Women..... 35 Whatcom Conservation District...... 25 Whatcom County Public Works...... 26 WRS Asphalt Paving...................... 68 WTA................................................69

Why choose Diehl Ford? Because we live where you live.

We’ve proudly served Whatcom County for over 108 years. Family owned since 1908.

DIEHL

Mike Diehl, General Manager

1820 James St., Bellingham I-5 Exit 254 360-392-7000 • 800-628-9331

www.DiehlFord.com

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WHATCOM COUNTY HOPES YOU ENJOY THE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY BUSINESSES

DIEHL

Have Fun at the Fair!

Family owned & operated for 4 generations!

1820 James St. • Bellingham I-5 Exit 254

360-392-7000 • 800-628-9331 QUALITY SALES AND SERVICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS SINCE 1908

www.DiehlFord.com

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!

FAMILY OWNED

WE NEVER START YOUR MEAL WITHOUT YOU.

Your food is always made to order. Our salsa is made fresh daily.

Our Guacamole is made from scratch using whole ripe avocados.

Our chips are made fresh daily. We use only trans-fat free soy bean oil.

We never use MSG. Now serving Black Beans! - Paso del Norte

758 Peace Portal Drive, Blaine • 360-332-4045 • www.pasodelnorte.net

R E PA I R S • VA C U U M S • PA RT S / P R O D U C T S

“Keeping Whatcom County Homes Clean Since 1943!”

www.rectorsvacuum.com 2731 Meridian St. (Across From Haggen) Bellingham | (360) 733-5792

MECHANICAL Serving Whatcom County for 24 Years

Air Conditioning | Furnaces | Heat Pumps Boiler Systems | Commercial Refrigeration

(360) 384-0212 • 5610 Barrett Rd • Ferndale, WA 98248

6146 Portal Way • Ferndale

Original Jewelry Designs 14k Gold, Sterling Silver, Genuine Gemstones

CANDI’S JEWELRY & Gift Gallery

10 AM - 5:30 PM Thursday - Saturday

360-366-0121 • 360-384-3187 1371 Paradise Rd. Ferndale, WA www.candisjewelry.com

Facility Hrs: 6AM-10PM Access 7 days a week and all major Holidays

•

384-3203

5480 Nielsen Ave. Ferndale, WA (Road to Hovander Park)

(360) 384-3022

www.ferndaleministorageinc.com

Ferndale Record

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6 YEAR POWER TRAIN WARRANTY Per

$421 Month

$0 down

0% & $0 for 60 months

Kubota L2501HST with Kubota loader, Land Pride 1260 Rotary Cutter, Land Pride BB1260 Box Blade, Chains and binders & double axle trailer. Package cash price without financing is $22,585.* Monthly payment of $421 includes sales tax of 8.7%. Sales tax rates may vary depending on delivery.

Payments of $421 per month on new L2501HST based on sales price of $22,585 at $0 down, 0% A.P.R. for 60 months. Financing available from Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A.; subject to credit approval. Payments 9/30/2017. See dealership for details.

Credit Corporation, U.S.A.; subject to credit approval. Some exceptions apply. Example: 60 monthly payinformation.”

Only terms and conditions of Kubota’s standard Limited Warranty apply. For warranty terms, see Kubota’s Limited Warranty at www.KubotaUSA.com or authorized Kubota Dealers.

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Lynden Tribune

Asphalt Paving Quality with Integrity Locally Owned & Operated Since 1982

360-366-3303

Asphalt Paving • Driveway & Road Building • Parking Lots • Site Prep & Clearing • Environmental Cleanup Utility Installation & Repair • Retaining Walls & Rockeries • Vacuum Excavation • Excavation & Demolition 2380 Grandview Rd., Ferndale 98248 • Residential & Commercial • wrsweb.com

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We’re proud to be a sponsor of the Lynden Jr. Livestock Auction.

We offer a great selection of tires:

Good luck kids!

Our trained technicians offer:

LOCALLY OWNED • GREAT SERVICE • COMPETITIVE PRICING!

WALLGREN TIRE CENTER – LYNDEN 210 Birch Bay-Lynden Road • 354-1446 www.lesschwab.com

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Be A Champion In Everyth ing You Do!

Clean Green solutions, Clean Green items include:

YARD DEBRIS All compostable yard debris:

grass, weeds, leaves, branches & seasonal items.

PAPER All food-soiled compostable items including pizza boxes, to-go cartons, napkins, paper towels, plates, cups & bowls.

*NO Metal, Plastic, Lumber or painted material should be sent to composting.

• We accept any size of yard waste • We accept sod & soil • Pay Your Way: Cash, Debit, Credit...

• No minimum charges • Convenient Hours

NO Trash Bags,

pet waste, plastics or litter of any kind …Thank You!

Questions? Call 360.354.4936 774 Meadowlark Rd Lynden OPEN M-F 7:30-4:30 • Sat. 8:00-3:00

Only 15-20 min. North of Clean Green!

Located just North of Hinote’s Corner

Meadowlark Rd. Hannegan

FOOD All compostable food scraps.

us!

Pole Rd.

N

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