Quilcene Fair and Parade canceled this year

QUILCENE — The annual Quilcene Fair and Parade is canceled this year after seeing a decline in volunteers, said Greg Brotherton, president of the fair.

He said there just isn’t enough help to make what would have been the 35th annual Quilcene Fair and Parade possible this year.

“For the last two years we’ve been rallying to get more volunteers,” he said. “With 15 people, it’s fun and easy to do.”

He said with only five people it becomes much more difficult.

The annual tradition is usually set for the third Saturday each September and benefits scholarships for local students and other charities. It features a parade, live music, art and other activities.

“We as a board, collectively and individually, have been searching for new blood to shore up fatigued volunteers for years, and while we have some great new volunteers, we don’t have enough to mount a fair this coming year,” Brotherton said.

“We appreciate the opportunity we’ve had to continue this long tradition, but frankly until the next generation steps up and decides they want the fair enough to make the fair, there won’t be a fair.”

The fair is still donating this year to Dollars for Scholars in Quilcene and to 4-H for their contributions to the Quilcene School and the Quilcene Food Bank.

“We are rushing this money over to help with their worthy mission of making sure Thanksgiving is a holiday of abundance, not hunger, in Quilcene,” Brotherton said. The fair is also still donating to the Quilcene School.

He said if others step up to make the fair happen there is enough money in the fair’s bank account and he’s still willing to help out if others join him.

He said a fair could still be possible this year if enough people will help, but the board is not planning for one this year.

“Waiting a year might be the best thing for it, honestly,” he said.

“I know it’s going to happen again; This isn’t an ending. I hope to help put the fair together in 2019.”

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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.