Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Lanny Adams and his daughter Beka Compton were flag bearers honoring Veterans on Patriots Night.
(l-r), Fair directors Jodi Worden, Darren Goble, Amy Paolino, Julie McCubbins, WW commissioners Todd Kimball and Bertha Clayton, fair director Kevin Smith, Larry Elsey, and interim general manager Greg Tompkins stand as Elsey was honored.
Greta Hassler rings the bell at the "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" rodeo on Friday night.
Waitsburg student Oaklee Adams is all smiles as she earned Grand Champion in both market and showmanship.
WALLA WALLA - The 2026 Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days, held from September 2 through 6, offered five days of live music, a parade, racing, livestock competitions, and awards. The annual event also honored cancer survivors, veterans, and retirees.
Students garnered awards and numerous blue ribbons competing in FFA, Grange and 4-H youth livestock competitions.
The fair kicked off on September 2 with a concert by headliner Cheap Trick, on tour since 1974.
Thursday was a sold-out demolition derby. Next, the livestock competitors entered the ring to showcase their animals on Thursday and Friday. The FFA, 4-H and Grange participants competed in market and showmanship.
Friday through Sunday was the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeo. Fans came for the bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, and of course, everyone's favorite, bull riding.
Friday at the rodeo was "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" for breast cancer awareness, with a call for "Bucking Cancer". Greta Hassler, a four-time cancer survivor, was honored. Hessler, 93, a 2023 Walla Walla Fair Legend, has been a long-time supporter of the fair for over 60 years. She was a Walla Walla farmerette in 1951, and currently, she is a PRCA gold card member.
Hassler is one of the founders of the Pioneer Posse in Milton-Freewater. She was escorted by Lanny Adams into the arena to "ring the bell" for herself and for every person in the audience who has survived cancer. Ringing the bell is a significant ritual for cancer survivors, symbolizing the end of treatment and a moment of triumph.
Greta Hassler rings the bell at the "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" rodeo on Friday night.
Saturday's rodeo theme was "Man-Up Crusade for Domestic Violence Awareness," and during the rodeo, Walla Walla County Sheriff Mark Crider was honored for his eight years of service as he will soon retire.
At the rodeo on Sunday, veterans were honored at "Patriots Night." Waitsburg resident Lanny Adams rode his horse around the arena, carrying the American Flag. Adams was in the US Army active duty from 1990 to 1992 and reserves from 1992 to 1994, where he served as a medic.
Adams said he was proud that his daughter, Beka Compton, was with him to present the 250th anniversary flag in the arena. An experience he will always cherish.
Downtown Walla Walla hosted the parade on Saturday at 10 am with over 100 entries.
Before the livestock sale on Sunday morning, Larry Elsey was honored for his 25-years as the Fairground's maintenance supervisor. Elsey retired at the end of the 2026 fair.
The fair ended with the sale of projects and a few tears.
FFA awards: Carter Barron earned Reserve Champion Advanced FFA Swine Showmanship and Overall Reserve Champion FFA Showmanship. Stella Pearson was the Champion Novice FFA Beef Showmanship, and Sara Wilson received numerous awards: Reserve Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Overall, Superintendent Award, Herdsmanship Award, 1st Place Individual Poultry Judging, Grand Champion FFA Cock, Reserve Grand Champion FFA Cockerel, Champion FFA Pullet, Champion FFA Trio (2 pullets, 1 cockerel). The FFA group placed 3rd in pre-fair livestock judging.
Waitsburg student Oaklee Adams is all smiles as she earned Grand Champion in both market and showmanship.
4-H awards: Oaklee Adams earned Grand Champion 4-H Market for swine, Overall Champion Market, and Grand Champion 4-H Showmanship.
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