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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

West Plains Fair planned this weekend

Jacob Jones Correspondent

CHENEY – MaryAnn Swift is busy getting her animals ready for scrutiny at the West Plains Community Fair this weekend.

As fair president, she also is busy preparing the Cheney Rodeo Grounds for the vendors, entertainers and hundreds of people expected at the 15th-annual fair.

“We are expecting more this year,” Swift said. “We think it’s a bigger draw.”

Animal judging, music and family activities will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday and at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Events are scheduled into the evening. Admission is free.

Many events involve animal competitions, such as dog herding and greased-pig contests, Swift said.

“The horse show is always a big draw,” she said.

Rabbits, dogs, cats, poultry and livestock are scheduled for judging during the weekend. Judges will rate llamas on Sunday morning.

Regional musicians will break out their bows for violin and fiddle tunes throughout the three-day fair.

Eun Song Koh, a violinist in the Cheney Middle School jazz band and the Spokane Youth Symphony, will start the music at 3 p.m. Friday.

In the first of three weekend performances, the five-person Red Wing Fiddlers will take over at 5 p.m. Friday with their upbeat, old-time swing and bluegrass songs.

“It’s really fun music and happy music,” guitarist Heather Ward said.

Ward plays with her fiddler daughters Amanda and Ashley as well as fiddler Beth Perry and bassist April Muhs.

Heather Ward said the group is looking forward to playing at the rodeo grounds for the first time.

“Cheney is kind of close to our hearts,” Ward said. “I think it will be a lot of fun.”

Kids games and a bike safety rodeo will be held Saturday. The bike rodeo will include safety information and a skills course.

Participants must bring their own bicycles and helmets.

A talent show, barbecue and family dance scheduled until 11 p.m. will wrap up Saturday.

The final event, the Just for Fun Dog Show, is scheduled to end at 5 p.m. Sunday.

The West Plains fair started as an educational opportunity, Swift said. The community wanted a place where young people and other residents could show off their accomplishments.

Swift said about 12 volunteers have spent the past year recruiting, scheduling, organizing and promoting this weekend’s event.

“It is a year-round project,” she said.

Swift said she will spend most of the weekend racing from animals to musicians to vendors. She has to keep everything on schedule.

Almost as soon as she is finished, it will be time to get busy making plans for next year.