Explore Stanwood Camano Fair 2022

STANWOOD CAMANO FAIR

AUGUST 5, 6 & 7

Ticket to ride

TONS OF TALENT

Each day packed with entertainment, exhibits and excitement Carnival returns with new rides & old favorites INSIDE: Maps, prices, music lineups + more!

BACK & BETTER THAN EVER!

There are two words that stand out in that greeting, to my way of thinking: “Friends” and “Community.”

Both represent all the best that this wonderful fair has to offer all of us, and for most of my lifetime, so far, it’s been all that, and all good.

I first participated in the Fair as a high school student, introducing alpacas in a pen to passers-by and trying to finish an ice cream bar every now and again without wearing the drips down my shirt in the hot sunshine.

I loved alpacas, I loved ice cream and I loved the Fair.

I still do.

Then, I watched the entertainment on the old stage from my booth for Austin’s Lend-A-

Hand, and now I watch it with all of you on the new stage.

I showed up for every work party I knew about, moving bleachers and cleaning or repairing facilities, and now, I still do.

It’s a labor of love.

The Fair has grown, prospered, and improved over the years while maintaining a uniquely local flavor and small-town charm. It’s an all-American tradition that we treasure and love sharing with new visitors every year. COVID-19 put everything into a tailspin for almost three years, but behind the scenes, while there “was no Fair” due to COVID, the board was working tirelessly to come up with ideas to dive into what makes our Fair great, and what could make it even greater.

Privileged as I am to serve as your Fair

Board President, it is my honor to welcome you back, along with the entire Board and the countless volunteers who make the Stanwood-Camano Community Fair possible, with open arms, to your local community Fair, an event that will be remembered by your children and grandchildren when they are bringing their own to “their Fair.”

I’ll be here with my own small daughter, making new memories, that someday maybe she will be sharing with your children when they are grown.

It’s time to cut loose and have some fun again!

See you at the Fair!

— Austin Bougie President, Stanwood-Camano Fair Board

3 DAYS OF SKY-HIGH EXCITEMENT!

Thrill

Here are some highlights of contests, performances, and shows at the fair. See more events on Pages 10 and 28.

AUG. 5

◆ Opening ceremonies, 9 a.m.

◆ Horse events start, 9 a.m.

◆ Dog show, 9 a.m.

◆ Lego building contest, 11 a.m.

◆ Make It and Take It demonstration, noon and 6 p.m.

◆ Grandparents Cookie Contest, 2 p.m.

◆ Hog calling contest, 6 p.m.

AUG. 6

◆ Dog show, 9 a.m.

◆ Stanwood Camano Fair Parade, 11 a.m. (downtown city)

◆ Make It and Take It demonstration, noon and 6 p.m.

◆ Chicken agility, 1 p.m.

◆ Threshing demonstration, 2 p.m.

◆ Swine obstacle course, 3 p.m.

AUG. 7

◆ Dog show, 10 a.m.

◆ Demonstration Superbowl, 10 a.m.

◆ All Barn Bowl, 11 a.m.

◆ Large Animal Round Robin, noon

◆ Animal Dress Up Contest, 1 p.m.

◆ Small Animal Round Robin, 2 p.m.

◆ Threshing demonstration, 2 p.m.

◆ Style Show, 3 p.m.

See StanwoodCamanoFair.org for full schedule of horse, swine, alpaca/llama, dairy and beef cattle, sheep, goat, rabbit, cavy, chicken and other small animal exhibitions and awards.

seekers wanted! See Page 7 for info on what rides are coming to town

STAFF

EDITOR: Evan Caldwell, ecaldwell@scnews.com

PHOTOS: Stanwood Camano News file

DESIGN: Evan Caldwell

courtesy

ADVERTISING: Derek Smith, dsmith@scnews.com, 360-629-2155

DISTRIBUTION: Randi Armstrong

2022 Explore: Stanwood Camano Fair, Copyright 2022, a supplement of Stanwood Camano News, SCnews.com; and Skagit Valley Herald, goSkagit.com; 9005 271st St. NW, Stanwood, WA 98282; 360-6292155

FUN AT THE FAIR

The Stanwood Camano Community Fairgrounds stand south of the city of Stanwood, an hour north of Seattle and 45 minutes south of Bellingham at 6431 Pioneer Highway, Stanwood. By car, take Exit 212 from Interstate 5. Travel west 3 miles on Highway 532. Turn left on 64th Avenue and continue about half a mile. The fairgrounds are on the right.

SCHEDULE AUG. 5-6

• Ticket office, vendors & exhibits: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

• Carnival: noon to 10 p.m.

• Entertainment: noon to 9:30 p.m.

SCHEDULE AUG. 7

• Ticket office, vendors & exhibits: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

• Carnival: noon to 6 p.m.

• Entertainment: noon to 6 p.m.

PARKING

For $5 for a day, park across the road from the fairgrounds at 64th Avenue NW.

SHUTTLE SERVICE

For free parking, try the parking lots at Stanwood High School, 7400 272nd St. NW. From there, ride the free shuttle bus to the fairgrounds gate — every 15 minutes starting at 8:30 a.m. Friday through Sunday. The shuttle runs until 11 p.m. Friday, midnight Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday.

HOW TO HAVE FUN

Tickets for the fair and the carnival are for sale at a discount through Aug. 3. Fair admission for children age 5 and younger is free.

PAY AT THE GATE

• Fair admission: $10 adults; $7 ages 6-17 and seniors; $20 for a 3-day pass.

• Carnival wristband: $40 for unlimited rides during one of two shifts — either noon-5 p.m. or 5 p.m.-10 p.m.

PAY IN ADVANCE*

• Family pack: $95 (admission for 2 adults and 2 youth, 2 carnival wristbands and one-day parking pass) — a $119 value.

• Carnival wristband: $35 for one shift of unlimited rides

• Gate admission: $2 off until Aug. 3

• Fair T-shirts $10 during July

* Buy advance tickets by Aug. 3: stop by the Stanwood-Camano Community Fair office, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, July 23 and 30, or call 360-629-4121; or buy them at Stanwood Country Store, 8815 272nd St. NW; or shop online at StanwoodCamanoFair.org.

LET’S RIDE

Paradise Amusements has offered these rides in past years:

CAROUSEL: Hop on a horse and go for a relaxing ride.

FERRIS WHEEL: Get a great view of the fair from the top of the Ferris Wheel. Hope you’re not afraid of heights.

GIANT SLIDE: It’s like a slide at a playground, but a lot bigger.

ROLLERCOASTER: Get strapped in, put your hands up and close your eyes.

TILT-A-WHIRL: Go up and down and spin side to side.

ZIPPER: It’s like a Ferris Wheel except scarier.

OCTOPUS: This ride, which resembles an octopus, allows the rider to spin around in a car that is held together by a large arm.

YO-YO (SWINGS): If you combined a carousel and a swingset, you would get the yo-yo.

GRAVITRON: The gravitron spins around so fast you will be stuck to the walls.

Other rides and attractions might include Dive Bomber, Quads, Mardi Gras and Truck Stop.

MAKE SOME NOISE

After a two year hiatus, “It’s Back,” is the theme of this year’s Stanwood Camano Parade.

Stanwood Camano’s biggest parade of the year will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, through downtown Stanwood.

There is still time for local organizations to join. For participation and sponsor forms, visit stanwoodrotary.org or email hans@tomasins. com.

The parade will feature a grand marshal, along with numerous parade entrants — dignitaries, politicians, commercial entries, nonprofit organizations, churches, school groups and clubs, music groups, animals and floats.

The parade starts with a rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” at 11 a.m. Saturday near the Country Store.

The parade travels west down 271st Street NW to Josephine Caring Community on 272nd Place NW. Some parade entries loop around via Lovers Lane to return to the Country Store.

Trophies for entrants will be awarded in nine categories: Floats, Auto, Youth, Band/Musical, Drill/Marching, Equestrian, Animals, Service Clubs, and Best of Show.

The animals and service clubs were new categories in 2018.

Businesses and groups sign up as financial donors and sponsors for the parade with the proceeds benefiting the

Applications are available for download at: STANWOODROTARY.ORG Find Home Page Downloads, click on 2022 Parade Application

community through such local Rotary service projects as: Operation Warm Coats, Stanwood Camano Food Bank, Imagination Library (supplying books to children), education scholarships and programs in Honduras and in Guatemala.

The parade offers sponsorships of all sizes — from supporting sponsorship ($500) to major sponsors ($1,000).

EXPERIENCE LIFE IN THE FASTLANE

Get ready for 3 days of live music and fun on the Viking Main Stage, including Fastlane, an Eagles tribute band

PLUS!

The

THE LINEUP

Stanwood Camano Community Fair presents a varied line-up of entertainment Friday-Sunday, Aug. 5-7, on the Viking Main Stage at the fairgrounds, 6431 Pioneer Highway, Stanwood.

Rock n’ Roll hypnotist Ron Stubbs is featured each afternoon, along with the popular Lip Sync contests tucked in between such well-known local musicians as Chance McKinney, Whiskey River, Southbound and Fastlane.

popular Big Bubbles Show will be roving the fairgrounds daily.

FRIDAY

1 p.m. - Sunday Speedtrap

2 p.m. Salt Grass Band

3 p.m. Ron Stubbs - Rock n Roll Hypnotist

4 p.m. - Lip Sync Competition

6 p.m. - Southbound

8 p.m. - Chance McKinney

Saturday

12 p.m. - Dance Project NW

1 p.m. - Sunday Speedtrap

2 p.m. - Minimum Wage

3 p.m. - Ron Stubbs - Rock n Roll Hypnotist

4 p.m. - Lip Sync Competition

6 p.m. - Fastlane - A Celebration of the Eagles

8 p.m. - Whiskey River

Sunday 11 am - Voices of the Village 12 p.m. - GoldRush Band

1 p.m. - Sunday Speedtrap

2:00 p.m. - Sirens of the Wood

3:00 p.m. - Ron Stubbs - Rock n Roll Hypnotist

4:30 p.m. - Lip Sync Finale

DONATE FOR SHADE!

In an effort to fund a shade project in front of the Viking Stage, the StanwoodCamano Area Foundation will match every dollar raised up to $10,000 from the Floyd & Delores Jones Endowed Fund. To donate toward the effort, visit s-caf.org/fair

WHAT TO PERFORM?

 Catchy tunes, preferably something well-known.

 Songs must be less than 4 minutes.

 Only one song, suitable for all ages, is allowed per contestant.

 Contestants are judged on ability to follow the song, appropriateness of costumes, choreography and audience participation.

SINGIN’ TO THE MUSIC

Nearly anyone can perform on stage to win cash and small town fame in the annual Spane Buildings Inc. & Cascade Lumber Lip Sync contest at the Stanwood Camano Community Fair. Lip sync is the art of silently singing in synchronization with a recording.

PRIZES

Solo performers — adults 18 and older and youth to age 17 — $100 first place, $75 second place and $50 third place.

Groups of adults and/or youth performers can win $200 first place, $100 second place and $50 third place.

Spane Buildings Inc. and Cascade Lumber are the contest sponsors.

HOW IT WORKS

To enter, start by recording your performance. Music must be submitted on a CD by mail and postmarked by July 25, to SCCF Lip Sync, PO Box 901, Stanwood, 98292.

All Lip Sync performers must present their entries during dress rehearsal on Thursday, Aug. 4, or be disqualified. They can pick up discount fair admission passes before leaving.

All performances are held on the Viking Main Stage on the fairgrounds.

Semi-finals begin at 4 p.m. Friday for individual youth and group adults, at 4 p.m. Saturday for group youth and individual adults.

Finals begin at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, with winners announced after the last performance.

To inquire, call contest organizers, 360-629-4121, or visit stanwoodcamanofair.org

SWEET & SAVORY TREATS ON THE MENU

SWEET

Shishkaberry: Freshly dipped fruits served on a stick with unique, delicious toppings.

Mini donuts: The popular fried treat is back! Perfect for sharing with a hungry crew.

Strawberry shortcake: Sweet cake covered with sweetened strawberries and topped off with sweetened whipped cream.

Crepes: Very thin sweet or savory pancake, served with a variety of fruit or hearty fillings.

Funnel cakes: Cake batter is poured through a funnel, deep fried and sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Elephant ears: Flattened dough that is deep fried and sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon.

Kettle corn: Popcorn sweetened with sugar.

Cotton candy: Fluffy, colored, spun sugar served either on a stick, in a cone, or by the bag. Certain to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Shave ice: Shaved ice covered in sweet, colorful syrup. This dessert looks almost as good as it tastes.

Ice cream: I scream, you scream, we all know the rest.

Cotton candy, elephant ears, corn dogs and a variety of other fair foods will be ready to try at the Stanwood Camano Community Fair. Bring an appetite to sample the classics or be adventurous in trying the only-at-the-fair delicacies. Here are a few of the offerings: sliced to

Smoothies: Enjoy a smoothie from Camano Island’s Frozen X-plosion.

SAVORY

Corn dogs: Among the most traditional of all the fair foods.

Tacos: Also an easy-to-eat festival meal.

Burgers: Grilled up how you like it.

Philly cheesesteaks: Mixture of thinly sliced steak, cheese and veggies tucked into a long bun.

Caribbean Cuisine: Featuring food from the Central American country of Belize, such as stewed meats and tamales in banana leafs.

Brats: Get a German-style sausage

Hawaiian BBQ: Flavorful meats, rice and more

Plus more (mostly perfectly deep-fried) offerings to explore!

Scratch made artisan food and beverages made using

SAAL rhymes with ale

As one of the largest community fairs in the state, yet smaller than a county or state fair, the Stanwood Camano Community Fair offers plenty of action for exhibitors of all ages. Kids don’t have to be in 4-H, FFA or a special group to show animals or projects at this community fair. Adults can exhibit in any indoor categories and in equestrian showing and gaming. Because of space, however, the fair limits the other animal departments to youth exhibitors.

ENTRY CHECK IN

Entries for all indoor exhibits are accepted 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3.

Animal exhibits are accepted from 3:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, or 7-9 a.m. Aug. 5-7, depending on department.

WINNING EXHIBITS

Premium money is claimed at the pay-out booth (located at the Bonnie Susan Cole Youth Exhibit Hall) from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4. Cash must be picked up on Saturday or Sunday during the fair hours listed. Premium money will not be mailed.

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BACK ON TRACK

The popular 70-foot long, scale model railroad and working train will return to the fair.

The detailed exhibit will be on display Aug. 5-7 in the Stillaguamish Grange Hall on the fairgrounds during the Stanwood Camano Community Fair. Members of the Moose Creek Logging Co. Club built the model train diorama and will demonstrate how it operates on Friday and Saturday.

The 1930s replica train runs logs from the “logging camp” to the miniature sawmill and lumberyard through a tableau of mountain wilderness, trestle crossings, and past sidings, towns and a log pond.

Train construction began in 2011 with 14 modules each 5-feet long, according to Ron Nelson, a former Bellevue-area physicist now living on Camano. The club’s 12 members, from British Columbia to Marysville, each built a module of the working 0 gauge model train.

See it in action in the Stillaguamish Grange Hall at the fair!

Stillaguamish Grange a year round hub for community

The white Stillaguamish Grange Hall at the Stanwood Camano Community Fair started as a dance hall.

The Grange purchased the small, wooden building along Pioneer Highway in 1935, then started the fair on the surrounding land to honor local agriculture.

Although the Grange handed management over to a fair board many years ago, members continue one of its biggest fundraisers: Serving breakfast and lunch at its booth this year.

The Grange uses food sale proceeds to give dictionaries through the Words for Thirds program to all third-graders in the Stanwood Camano School District and scholarships to graduating seniors.

The Grange celebrated its 80th birthday in 2015. It was chartered in 1935 with help from the Masons to create a unified voice about a proposed railroad through the Stillaguamish River Valley. To honor that history, the Grange is exhibiting an operational 0-scale replica logging company railroad again this year. (See facing page.)

The Grange hall has been used for many community and family events through the years, from theater and dancing to celebrations and events, such as the Stillaguamish Grange Holiday Fair in November.

The building was closed this spring for repairs after a car crashed into the building but recently reopened.

For building rentals and programs at the local Grange call 360-629-4602 or email stillaguamishgrange1058@gmail. com.

50 YEARS AGO ...

The fair dates back to 1932 as a one-day harvest celebration.

It takes about 300 volunteers to get the fair open and running for the three-day event.

The fair is a nonprofit organization, meaning money collected at the gate and from donations is used to pay exhibitors.

The fair typically has 1,500 or more exhibitors that bring 3,275 exhibits — from small and large animals to baked goods, agricultural products, clothing, horticulture, flowers, arts & crafts, tractors and various other items.

The fair pays out some $12,000 in premium money and awards to its exhibitors.

Carol Wiley of Warm Beach won the prize for largest bubble gum bubble at 6.75 inches before it popped on her face in 1972.

STANWOOD CAMANO NEWS FILE PHOTOS Pat Shaughnessy of Camano Island is crowned the 1972 fair queen.

John Ravnik won the $1 award for “messiest” in the fair’s 1972 pie-eating contest.

Steve Ludwick attracted a crowd with his pet horned owl as he walked throughout the fairgrounds in 1972.

CALLING ALL ARTISTS

2022 Coloring Contest open to kids 12 and younger

HOW TO ENTER

1. Use any medium (crayons, watercolors, markers, colored pencils, acrylics, macaroni, etc.)

2. Age categories:

• Up to age 5

• 6-8 years old

• 9-12 years old

3. All work must be done by the entrant.

4. DEADLINE: entries must be turned in by July 31.

5. Return entries to: Stanwood-Camano Community Fair Coloring Contest PO Box 901 Stanwood, WA 98292

Or bring them to the Fair Office, 6431 Pioneer Highway, Stanwood. For more information, call 360-629-4121 or email info@stanwoodcamanofair.org

PRIZES ENTRY FORM

FIRST Carnival wristband good for one shift and a fair T-shirt

SECOND 1 adult & 1 child ticket to the fair and a fair T-shirt

THIRD Stanwood-Camano Fair T-shirt

NAME:

AGE:

PHONE NUMBER:

ADDRESS:

CITY:

STATE:

PARENT EMAIL:

CONTEST SPONSORED BY:

STAY & PLAY

Welcoming shops, a variety of events and historic buildings greet locals and visitors alike all year long.

Stanwood acts as center stage for several popular annual festivities, including the Great Northwest Glass Quest, the Twin City Idlers Car Show in June, Stanwood’s Summer Concert Series, Stanwood Farmers Market and the must-see Lights of Christmas in December.

Camano Island offers a rich array of outdoor activities, a pair of commercial hubs and a thriving arts scene. Even something as simple as the leisurely 40-mile drive around the island is worth the trip.

Read more about what the area has to offer by perusing our “Explore: Stanwood & Camano” magazine at SCnews.com/ magazine.

If you choose to stick around a bit, here’s a few places to stay:

Stanwood Hotel and Saloon

26926 102nd Ave. NW Stanwood, WA 98292 stanwoodhotelsaloon.com 360-629-2888

Lake Goodwin RV Resort & Cabins 4726 Lakewood Road Stanwood, WA 98292 360-652-8169

Cama Beach

Camano Island State Park 1880 W. Camano Drive Camano Island, WA 98282 parks.state.wa.us Reservations: 360-387-1550

Camano Island Inn 1054 W. Camano Drive Camano Island, WA 98282 camanoislandinn.com 360-387-0783

Beach House at Tyee 3167 S. Shoreline Drive Camano Island, WA 98292 tyeebeachhouse.com 425-869-1920

Paradise Found Waterfront Vacation Rental Camano Island, WA 98282 vrbo.com/54816

Angel of the Winds Resort Hotel & Casino 3438 Stoluckquamish Lane Arlington, WA 98223 360-474-9740

Tulalip Casino Resort Hotel 10200 Quil Ceda Blvd. Tulalip, WA 98271 360-651-6565

Arlington Motor Inn 2214 SR 530 NE

Arlington, WA 98223

360-652-9595/360-652-9597

Arlington’s River Rock Inn 15425 133rd Ave. NE Arlington, WA 98223

riverrockinnbnb.com 360-403-7014

Best Western Plus 3721 172nd St. NE Arlington, WA 98223 360-363-4321 or 800-5281234

Quality Inn 5200 172nd St. NE Arlington, WA 98223 520-733-4630

Smokey Point Motor Inn 17329 Smokey Point Drive Arlington, WA 98223 360-659-8561

Comfort Inn 3611 33rd Ave. NE Marysville, WA 98270 360-658-1339

Best Western Tulalip Inn 3228 Marine View Drive NE Marysville, WA 98270 360-659-4488

Holiday Inn Express & Suites 8606 36th Ave. NE Marysville, WA 98270 360-530-1234

Village Inn & Suites 235 Beach Ave. Marysville, WA 98270 360-659-0005

Wyndham Garden Hotel 16710 Smokey Point Blvd. Marysville, WA 98223 360-657-0500

2022 STANWOOD CAMANO

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS FOR HELPING TO PROVIDE A QUALITY FAMILY EVENT FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Austin’s Lend-A-Hand

Cairus

Construction

COMMUNITY FAIR SPONSORS

PAUL & MELANIE SOBOTTA

Special thanks also to:

Cascade Lumber for roofing material and colored tin

Hamilton Lumber and John Bodin for surveying tools

Dale Tepley for the logging bell

Holtum Co

Robert Box for milling lumber for display building, cedar tree

Al Erickson estate for new electrical lights and outlets for five display buildings

Bob Cole for building extension

PLENTY TO SEE

More Animal Events

AUGUST 2-3

Indoor exhibits accepted.

AUGUST 4

Animal entries check in at designated time during the afternoon. Health and vet checks required.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5

9 a.m. Horse Events start, horse arena; dog show; dairy fitting challenge

9:30 a.m. Fitting and showing, poultry, followed by waterfowl and pigeons, in small animal show area; swine fit & show, then type judging, in swine arena

10 a.m. Poultry type judging; fiber goat fit & show, then type judging, goat arena

12 p.m. Wild mustange performace; alpaca/llama fitting and showing

1 p.m. Sheep Bowl, sheep arena

2:30 p.m. Pygmy / meat goat fit & show, type judging, goat arena

5 p.m. Rabbit & Cavy, then poultry judging, small animal show area

6 p.m. Goat judging contest, goat arena; hog calling contest

6:15 p.m. Lads and ladies lead, sheep arena

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6

9 a.m. Rabbit type judging, small animal show area; dog show; alpaca/llama scavenger hunt; horse events start; sheep fit and show

10 a.m. Dairy fit & show, then type judging, cattle arena; dairy goat fit & show, then type judging, goat arena; parent fit & show, small animal barn

11 a.m. Over the hill swine fit and show

1 p.m. Chicken agility, small animal barn; rabbit/Cavy fit & show, small animal show area

2 p.m. Alpaca / llama handlers class, alpaca / llama pen area

3 p.m. Beef fit & show, then type judging, cattle arena; fleece judging school and contest, wool display area; swine obstacle course followed by swing show, swine area

6 p.m. Llama / alpaca public relations; hog calling contest

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7

8:30 a.m. Livestock judging practice, swine arena

9 a.m. Livestock judging, swine arena

9:30 a.m. Horse events start, horse arena

10 a.m. Cavy judging contest, small animal barn; dog show; parent fit and show, small animal barn

11 a.m. Small animal game day, small animal show area; All Barn Bowl, small animal barn

12 p.m. Large animal round robin, cattle arena

1 p.m. Large and small animal dress up, cattle arena

2 p.m. Small animal round robin & awards ceremony; sheep exhibitor awards, sheep barn; cattle barn exhibitor awards, cattle arena; swine exhibitor awards, swine area

4 p.m. Small animal barn awards, small animal barn

5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Animals and indoor exhibits released

A STORY TO TELL

Historical buildings continue to provide display space at the fairgrounds

Visiting the Stanwood-Camano Community Fair is the next best thing to time travel.

Not only because the fair is such a traditional American phenomenon, but also because the growth of the fairgrounds through the years tells Stanwood’s story in its buildings, with views into the way things were through the 20th century.

ERDAHL CABIN

For example, the fairgrounds provide a home for a nearly 150-year-old Erdahl Cabin, built by K. K. Erdahl before the 1870s in Cedarhome, on the south side of 77th Avenue NW near 276th Street NW.

It has been said the Erdahls hired Native Americans to work for them and it is presumed they did the “split log cabin” work. The structure is technically not a log cabin because it was built of split cedar planks

about 8 inches thick – the same technique the northwest Native Americans used to build their long houses.

Some local historians believe it may be the only split cedar log cabin left in the state.

At some point, the cabin was moved to school property in the flat area south of Lincoln School (now Stanwood Community and Senior Center) to be used as a school.

When the school district decided to build the high school stadium there, the log cabin was given to the city of Stanwood and moved to Church Creek Park.

After a few years, the city realized it had neither the money nor manpower to maintain the log cabin and the responsibility was handed over to the Stanwood Area Historical Society, which then passed it on to the Stanwood Lions Club.

In 1974, the Lions Club had Red Faulkner move the cabin to the fairgrounds

for use as a museum. Up to that point, it had no floor, but for the dirt it sat upon. A floor was built and a small room removed. Some timbers were installed for a possible attic that never was completed.

The cabin/museum now contains exhibits of old tools, logging equipment, fishing tackle, cigar-making equipment and other historical displays.

SETTRE CABIN

Another structure on the fairgrounds, called the Settre Cabin, was built around 1880 by Rasmus L. Settre and his wife. The Settres arrived in Stanwood in June that year, and their fifth child, Josephine, was born in the cabin. Their eldest daughter’s name was Maria and their three boys were Lars and twins Jacob and Andrew.

The cabin was built with timber cleared from land where the Settres farmed, on 284th Street NW, a few miles north of

where it is now. It was moved to the fairgrounds in 1965.

The cabin is owned by the Stanwood Area Historical Society and maintained by the Stanwood Lions Club and fair board.

BLACKSMITH SHOP

A blacksmith shop built by Porter Garrison out of telephone poles is also on display at the fairgrounds. Originally a playhouse for his family, Erny Landry set up the house as a working blacksmith shop for fair demonstrations in the 1950s and ’60s.

LOG CABIN

The Pachur family donated a log cabinstorage shed to the Stanwood Lions Club in 1991. The building was used for several decades as an actual working post office during the fair, which was of interest to stamp collectors because of the registered cancel and envelope cachet. More recently, it serves as a gathering place for the local Boy Scouts who pick up trash at the fair.

CRANE TRUCK

Another historical monument that found a home at the fairgrounds is a 1919 crane truck that was used to log much of Camano Island.

According to the display on the Stanwood Area Historical Society website, the truck was assembled at Portland Iron Works in 1919 for the Washington State Bridge Building Union and had a role in building many bridges in Western Washington.

In 1930 it was sold to Walt Garrison of Camano Island, who used it while logging the entire south end of Camano Island, Society officials say.

“The rusty, historic hulk serves as a monument to the work horses of the past,” according to documents created by fair volunteers.

OTHER STRUCTURES

A display building was built in 2000 to house buggy wagons, plows and other farm implements. And, perhaps most intriguing of all, a cedar stump house is now most often used as a prop for family photos.

Obviously, the Stanwood Lions Club has been cooperating with the StanwoodCamano Fair for a long time. To this day, the club offers a chance to win big at the fair in bingo.

— Dick Loutzenhiser, Jim Lund, Ken Christoferson Sr., Bruce Miller and Jack Hare researched and wrote this story, originally published in the 2001 Stanwood Camano News fair guide. Minor updates have been added.