A 90-day emergency call

In 2012, Kathy Kramer's boss at Northlands, a large nonprofit in Edmonton, Canada, asked her to take over running the provincial fair with just 90 days' notice. The previous manager had to step away for personal reasons.

“Kramer, I don't know who else can jump in and do this.”

From conventions to fairs

Kathy had experience in conventions and events at Northlands, but running an entire fair was new territory. She shifted her other responsibilities and immersed herself in every detail of the upcoming celebration.

The magic of tradition and innovation

As Kathy coordinated thousands of details with countless staff members, she discovered what made fairs special: the balance between honoring year-after-year traditions and finding what could be new, fresh and exciting.

It was about community

Beyond the logistics and entertainment, Kathy realized what truly made the fair business special was its power to bring communities together and create lasting memories for families.

Nebraska fair memories shaped her

Growing up in Nebraska, Kathy attended the Lincoln County Fair with her family and watched her sister win prizes for her seamstress creations. Those childhood moments quietly became part of her understanding of what fairs do.

Fairs celebrate hard work

Kathy's sister's fair demonstrations taught her that fairs celebrate hard work, bring families together, and create memories that stay with you for life.

Each fair reflects its community

Every fair has rides, food and entertainment, but no two are alike. Each one reflects the people, history and traditions of the community it serves.

Now leading Central Washington

Kathy eventually became president and CEO of the Central Washington State Fair Association. Over 10 days, about 275,000 people come through the gates, making it the largest annual event in Central Washington.

Year-round work behind the scenes

More than 60 food vendors, countless staff members, volunteers, exhibitors and community partners work throughout the year to bring the fair together. Planning for future fairs happens years in advance.

Agriculture is the fair's DNA

The Central Washington State Fair has deep roots in Yakima Valley agriculture dating back to the late 1800s. Agriculture remains central to the fair's mission of education, commerce and community.

FFA and 4-H showcase learning

FFA and 4-H students spend the year working on projects and displays before bringing them to the fair. Young exhibitors compete with livestock and creative exhibits they've poured months of hard work into.

Granges celebrate the harvest

Nine local granges transform the perimeter of the historic agricultural building with elaborate displays celebrating the Valley's harvest. Inside, visitors find floral displays and thousands of exhibits showcasing the community's agricultural heritage.

New: The Farmer's Garden

This year, the Central Washington State Fair is adding The Farmer's Garden, an interactive agricultural display where children can discover crops grown throughout the Yakima Valley and learn where their food comes from.

Preserving traditions for next generation

Kathy believes fairs do best when they preserve traditions while finding new ways to make them meaningful for the next generation. She sees her role as caring for something that belongs to the entire community.

Watching families create memories

One of Kathy's most rewarding experiences each year is finding a place to sit and watch crowds create lifelong memories with their families, learn and have fun together, and celebrate what makes their community special.

“One of my most rewarding experiences each year is simply finding a place during the Fair to sit and watch the crowds as they create lifelong memories with their families.”