WLCF Wampum auction returns Saturday

Another night of fun, food and fundraising is slated on Saturday, April 28, for the annual Wampum auction. Wampum serves as the primary fundraiser for the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair.

The family-friendly event provides an opportunity for community members to gather together and spend a night supporting the local fair by bidding on auction items and enjoying a catered meal.

The doors open at 6 p.m. in the Knuth Building on the fairgrounds, and tickets are available at the door for $25. Presale tickets are available through April 27 at the Ritzville Drug Company, Java Bloom in Washtucna and Jim’s Market in Lind for $22.

Following the social hour, dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. with a meal, catered by Classy Country Catering.

The meal included glazed baked ham, triple cheese potatoes, cheesy broccoli soup, Caesar salad, Italian veggie pasta salad, rolls, cherry cheesecake cobbler with whipped cream, lemonade and coffee. A full no host bar is also available at the event.

Jerry Snyder will serve as the auctioneer for the evening. The auction will begin after dinner service is completed.

WLCF President Fritz Coon will provide updates regarding the upcoming fair and the grounds. The fair is currently looking for a groundskeeper to maintain the property.

Outgoing royalty Julia Klein and Rachel Nygren will make their final appearance as fair royalty, and welcome the new royalty to their upcoming roles. Klein and Nygren also donated items to the auction this year.

Incoming royalty members are Alycia Phelps, Ericka Koenig and Jersey Hamilton. All three candidates are from Washtucna and are looking to share in the experience as royalty.

The incoming and outgoing royalty members will assist with the auction by displaying auction items and handing out raffle drawing prizes.

A special guest at the event this year is 15-year-old Benjamin Clinesmith, who will be presenting his prize-winning speech “Why Did The Chicken Cross the Road?”

The speech has already earned him a first and fifth place finish during competitions.

Clinesmith is a homeschool student, participates in 4-H with a steer project, takes piano lessons and works on the family ranch in Benge.

This is his second year of competing in the National Christian Forensic and Communications Association speech and debate league.

Along with his “after dinner” speech, this year Clinesmith is competing in team policy debate, apologetics and impromptu speaking.

Because of his placements with his prepared speech, Clinesmith has been invited to compete at the Regional Championship Tournament in Bellevue this May. He will also compete at the National Championship Tournament in St. Paul, Minnesota, this June.

This year, there is an extensive auction items to bid on in both the live and silent auction. Auction coordinators are confident everyone in attendance will find an item they would like to bid on because of the diversity of products.

Highlighted auction items this year include a weather station, grass fed beef, quilts, custom-themed baskets, Pendleton Round-Up tickets, alfalfa, custom western artwork, Oregon strawberry freezer jam and a smoker.

The auction coordinators also want to extend their appreciation to all of the families and businesses that donate and support the annual event.

The auction always provides a wide array of items, suitable for children and adults.

Between the silent and the live auction selection, the event is expected to continue to provide an excellent opportunity for community members to help fundraise for the local fair.

Wampum helps provide vital funds to keep the fair running and directly supports the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair on Labor Day weekend.