[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 3513-3514]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WALLA WALLA FRONTIER DAYS

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 21, 2016

  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 150th 
Anniversary of the Walla Walla Frontier Days.
  I am extremely proud to represent Walla Walla in Congress. The Walla 
Walla Valley is one of the most fertile agricultural areas in the 
nation, producing crops such as wheat, asparagus, strawberries, and of 
course, Walla Walla Sweet Onions. Yet, with more than 100 wineries, the 
area is also known as world-class wine country.

[[Page 3514]]

  The Walla Walla Frontier Days is the oldest fair in the state of 
Washington. According to the history of the Walla Walla County Fair and 
Fairgrounds:
  In 1866, the Walla Walla Agricultural Society staged a large 
agricultural and industrial exposition to showcase the valley crops and 
the latest farming methods. This event, the first county fair, was held 
on the horse-track racing grounds which had been built in 1862 three 
miles west of the then city limits. Throughout the years, the fair was 
known by many names, hosted at many locations throughout the county, 
and governed by many civic organizations in the area.
  In 1906, the historic pavilion was built for a fruit exhibit and 
concert hall. In 1913, the management decided to inaugurate a new order 
of business and as a result the ``Frontier Days'' came into existence 
with its spectacular display of bull dogging, relay races, stagecoach 
races, cowboys, cowgirls and other local participants representing one 
of the last stands of the ``Wild West.''
  Walla Walla County purchased the present Fairgrounds in 1923 and 
after two years of the successful pageant ``How the West was Won,'' the 
fair came back under sponsorship of the Walla Walla County Farm Bureau. 
The next year, the Farm Bureau was joined by the Chamber of Commerce as 
the two sponsoring groups.
  In 1935, Fair royalty was an added element and young ladies from the 
region competed and this tradition has continued to date, with the 
exception of the World War II years. In 1939, as an acknowledgment of 
commitment to the Fair, the committee added an annual parade marshal to 
the Frontier Days parade.
  In 1974, world class country entertainment was added to the annual 
fair. In 2008, the Rodeo Legends award was implemented acknowledging 
the outstanding men and women of the valley who have attained a high 
level of achievement in the sport of Rodeo.
  Throughout the years, the 4-H and Future Farmers of America programs 
have become the annual showcase of the region's younger population, 
fostering the next generation of the agricultural community.
  The remarkable legacy of the Walla Walla Frontier Days would not have 
been possible without the dedication and commitment of the Fair's board 
members and managers, elected officials, community leaders, businesses, 
sponsors, and most importantly, thousands of community volunteers who 
collectively have maintained a steadfast commitment to ensuring its 
success. Although much has changed about the Frontier Days over the 
past 150 years, its importance to communities throughout Southeastern 
Washington has remained constant.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that all of our colleagues join me in celebrating 
the sesquicentennial anniversary of the oldest fair in the state of 
Washington, the Walla Walla Frontier Days.

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