The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG—The Waitsburg City Council has asked volunteers in the community to partner with Waitsburg Parks and Rec to put together a plan to increase usage at the fairgrounds. The city council would like organizers to submit the plan for review at its March regular meeting.

The first planning meeting was held on January 24, 2024, and included past Friends of the Fairgrounds advisory committee members, Parks and Rec commissioners, and fairgrounds advocates.

Recommendations from attendees included reorganizing the Friends of the Fairgrounds Committee as a project under Rural Youth Enrichment Services (RYES.) Under RYSE, the committee could raise tax-deductible donations and qualify and write grants under the non-profit’s 501(c)3 status.

The attendees also recommended drafting a memorandum of understanding between Waitsburg Parks and Rec and the City of Waitsburg to specify responsibilities; Parks and Rec would take over events and project management, and the city would continue maintenance at the fairgrounds.

Input and volunteers are needed to reboot the committee. Parks and Rec commissioners seek someone to chair the Friends of the Fairgrounds committee. Nominees should be passionate about the fairgrounds and able to provide leadership in organizing people and timelines. Please send self-nominations and recommendations to info@waitsburgparks.org.

Organizers would like those who regularly rent the fairgrounds, key stakeholders, and community members interested in the future of the fairgrounds to participate in the planning process. If you are a member of the following organizations, please attend the January 31, 2024, Parks and Rec meeting:

4-H clubs

Waitsburg FFA

Waitsburg Presbyterian Church

Waitsburg Lions Club

P.E.O.

Waitsburg Celebration Days

Snake River Little League

Patriots of Recovery

Touchet Valley Soccer

Waitsburg School District (junior high baseball)

Waitsburg Commercial Club

Waitsburg Alumni Association

Columbia-Walla Walla County Fire District No. 2

American Legion Post #35

Masonic Lodge #16

Junior Livestock Board

Valley Girls Barrel Racing Association

Waitsburg Garden Club

Waitsburg Tree Committee

Waitsburg Grange No. 1

The Collective

Friends of the Fairgrounds Planning meeting #2 at 7 p.m. on January 31 at TVAMP, 141 Main St. Waitsburg.