Supporters of a new Agricultural Education Center in Lynden hope a dinner and auction June 15 will raise the final funds needed to start construction this year. The Northwest Washington Fair Foundation is hosting the fundraiser in the Expo Building at the fairgrounds, 1775 Front St., Lynden. A social hour with a no-host bar will start at 5:30 p.m. June 15, followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and a live auction at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $30 apiece. Reservations are due June 5 by contacting Tarrah Jandoc at (360) 354-4111, ext. 210, or tarrahj@nwwafair.com. Major pledges from local individuals and businesses already have raised much of the $5 million needed for the Agricultural Education Center, but $450,000 still is needed to complete the project. Also, the Northwest Washington Fair & Event Center in Lynden will receive $1.8 million from the state. The state funds are included in the public-works construction budget passed this year by the state Legislature, said Jim Baron, general manager of the Northwest Washington Fair & Event Center. “We’re especially grateful for the support of state Sen. Doug Ericksen in gaining these funds,” Baron said. “State Rep. Vincent Buys and Rep. Luanne Van Werven, also of our 42nd District, played important roles as well.” The Agricultural Education Center will be a two-level, approximately 26,000-square-foot building that replaces several of the older structures near the primary Front Street entrance to the fairgrounds, Baron said. They currently hold 4-H, art, hobby, quilt and other entries during the fair. However, the new building also will include space for year-round display of the award-winning “Farming: For Life” presentation of photos and educational panels, according to Lynden berry grower Brad Rader, who is leading the fundraising effort with the Northwest Washington Fair Foundation’s board. “We need to highlight the importance of agriculture in our community year-round,” Rader said. For information about donating toward construction of the Agricultural Education Center, call the Northwest Washington Fair & Event Center at (360) 354-4111.
