For the Asotin County Fair marshals it was a quick turnaround
Apr. 26—ASOTIN — In the blink of an eye, this couple went from hauling their youngsters to the Asotin County Fair to leading the parade.
Jeff and Denise Hammrich, of Asotin, have been active participants at the fair and rodeo for almost four decades. In their new role as grand marshals, they will be presiding at events throughout the weekend at the Asotin County Fairgrounds.
A new generation of parents are juggling kids, 4-H projects and animals at the most popular and frenzied event of the season, but Jeff, 67, and Denise, 63, haven't retired to the sidelines yet.
On Thursday morning after Denise entered her flower exhibits, Jeff took a break from shoveling wood shavings to talk about what the Asotin County Fair and Hells Canyon Rodeo mean to their family and this tight-knit community.
"We do this for the kids," he said. "That's why I got involved. Every April we're excited to see all of the exhibits and watch the kids show their livestock and horse projects. We appreciate all of the hard work and dedication that makes our fair a great event."
The Hammriches have two daughters — Cami Browne and Nicole Triplett — who continue to contribute lots of time and energy to the fair and rodeo, carrying on the family tradition.
Cami is the Clarkston High School agriculture teacher and head of the Future Farmers of America, plus a 4-H leader and mother of three kids, Caylie, Cady and Carly. Her husband is Dustin Browne, of Asotin.
Nicole, who is the secretary of the Asotin County Fair Board and a 4-H leader, is the mother of Loghan and Avery. She is married to Gavin Triplett, and the family resides in the Clemans Addition.
"Both of our girls were involved in royalty and 4-H," Denise said. "This fair and rodeo have been a big part of our lives for nearly 40 years. Raising animals for the livestock sale teaches the kids great compassion and responsibility. Three of our grandchildren are showing animals this year."
Denise is a longtime educator and administrator at All Saints Catholic School in Lewiston. She taught fourth grade for 16 years and has served as principal for 16.
Jeff retired three years ago after working at Potlatch for 20 years and devoting the next 24 to the ammunition industry in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley.
The couple spends many hours on the bleachers following their five grandkids' sporting events. The oldest is a sophomore at the University of Idaho, and the other four all attend Asotin-Anatone High School.
"We are honored to be chosen as grand marshals," Denise said. "We plan to be at the barbecue, cowboy breakfast, parade, royalty luncheon and rodeo this weekend."
Jeff has been hard at work on the tractor getting the rodeo arena in top condition. One of the town's favorite events is the kids' rodeo on Sunday, and he made sure the dirt is soft for the mutton-busting contestants.
The grand marshals also plan to be at the livestock sale Saturday afternoon. Jeff and Denise are past members of the sales committee, so they know the ropes. It can get emotional when the kids have to say goodbye to the animals they've raised, the couple warned.
But overall, the Asotin County Fair and Hells Canyon Rodeo should bring lots of smiles to the participants and folks who visit. From the carnival to the chaos, it's a fun family event, according to the Hammriches.
"One of the things we both appreciate is how this community comes together to make this happen every year," Denise said. "We're looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend."
Sandaine can be reached at kerris@lmtribune.com.
