The Umatilla County Fair appreciation dinner celebrated the fair’s first year in its new home, but speakers reminisced about history that went back much farther.

Introducing Rep. Greg Smith and wife Sherri Smith as the fair’s 2018 grand marshals, retiring fair board member Dan Dorran remembered meeting with the Heppner Republican in 2001, when both were still fresh to their respective governing bodies. It was a tough year for county fairs across the state as the legislature eliminated funding for fairground maintenance in the state budget, but Smith helped pass a bill that permanently allocated money from the state lottery fund to county fairs.

Smith would spend his ensuing years in the state House of Representatives lobbying on behalf of the fair, whether it was fighting further cuts to fair funding or helping secure a $6.4 million lottery grant to build the Eastern Oregon Trade and Events Center, where Tuesday’s dinner was held.

Smith wasn’t the only one remembered for his contribution to the fair. The fair board said goodbye to longtime board member Dan Dorran.

One by one, fair board members praised Dorran for his work ethic, his indefatigable spirit and his commitment to the fair, even as they razzed him for overusing words like “incredible” and “awesome.”

“Dan is the guy you go to when you want to get things done,” board Vice-Chairman Mel Keely said.

When it was his turn to speak, Dorran shared some of the things he took pride in, like the growth in the number of food vendors and the successful launch of Latino Night after a few false starts. One of his most vivid memories was watching Future Farmers of America students tear up as they washed their livestock one last time before the animals were auctioned off.

The theme of the 2018 is “Let’s stirrup some fun,” and the night’s honorees tried to stick to that theme by mixing levity with sincerity.

As he accepted his marshal badge, Smith said he recently visited Hermiston High School, where he was mistaken twice by a staff member, first for former U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith and then for U.S. Rep. Greg Walden.

“I told that story because we feel like a mistake has been made,” Smith said after the audience laughter died down. “Each of you are more deserving than we are.”

Smith and Dorran weren’t the only people honored Saturday night.

Alice Dyer was honored as the female volunteer of the year for her work helping out in the small animal area while Steve Kelsoe, a “jack-of-all-trades” who handles everything from hauling hay for livestock to welding, was honored as the male volunteer of the year. A-1 Industrial Hose & Supply won the business partner of the year award.

A new fair court was announced, with Bobbie Sharp, 17, of Echo, Olivia Warner, 17, of Pilot Rock, Laiklyn Fields, 15, of Hermiston, and Rebekah Miller, 15 of Hermiston taking the stage after the 2017 court was honored.

Teaser: For more photos from the event, see A17