Life | The Daily Chronicle

A train speeds by the Lewis County Historical Museum as Director Michael Tippins, of Virtual Railfan, installs a camera on the second story in this Chronicle file photo.

Train Enthusiasts Hope to See Chehalis Railfan Cam Become a Park

With the installation of the Chehalis Railfan camera, tourists have started to visit to see the trains and try to get on camera. Now, local train enthusiasts are proposing that a Railfan park be … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 8/19/22

Braids of garlic hang from the side of the booth for Channing Family Farm, from Twisp, at Garlic Festival in this Chronicle file photo.

Garlic Festival Returns to Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Next Weekend

The Washington State Garlic Festival, once a backyard celebration held west of Chehalis, will make its grand return to the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds next weekend after a two-year … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 8/19/22

Emma Britton reacts to being named Little Miss Friendly Tuesday afternoon on the Saloon Stage at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds in Centralia.

Judges Smitten With Emma Britton, the New Little Miss Friendly

Emma Britton told The Chronicle on Tuesday morning she would be thrilled if one of her friends — the other four top candidates — won. Perhaps that attitude is what earned her the title of … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 8/17/22

Lights illuminate rides and carnival games at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Tuesday night in Centralia.

In Focus: Neon Lights and Country Nights at the Southwest Washington Fair

The Southwest Washington Fair started its six-day run on Tuesday. Here is a collection of photographs by Chronicle photographer Jared Wenzelburger. Find out more about the fair online at … more

8/17/22

Jordyn Navloynski, 7, holds on tight as a sheep busts out of the starting gate Tuesday at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds in Centralia.

Mutton Busting Provides Taste of Rodeo Fun Set for Later This Week at the Southwest Washington Fair

Youngsters looking to get a taste of rodeo life can try their hand at mutton busting at the Southwest Washington Fair this week. Set up between the horse barns and the grandstands, mutton busting … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/17/22

Nikki Atkins, watershed liaison, and Kelly Verd, special projects coordinator for the Conservation District, smile and talk to visitors at their table inside the Wildlife Building at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds in Centralia on Tuesday.

Lewis County Conservation District Giving Out Willow Cuttings at Fair

Visitors to the Southwest Washington Fair should never leave empty-handed. Of course, a bag of scones is a necessity. Fortunately, fairgoers only need one hand to carry home a willow tree … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 8/17/22

Natalia Hedgers, 15, of Girl Scout Troop 41050, smiles and runs with a box of flamingo lawn decorations Monday evening in Centralia.

Centralia Girl Scout Troop Unleashes Flamingos on Lawns as a Fundraiser

Girl Scouts flocked around Centralia on Monday night, unleashing a flamboyance — the term for a group of flamingos — upon the city. In the waning daylight, the six girls in … more

By Matthew Zylstra / matthew@chronline.com | 8/17/22

Emma Britton, a 9-year-old from Chehalis who attends Orin Smith Elementary School, has been named Little Miss Friendly at the SW Washington Fair. Emma comes from a friendly family: Her grandmother held the title many years ago. She’s the one at center wearing the iconic cape.

Britton’s Got Talent: Chehalis Girl Named Little Miss Friendly

Emma Britton told The Chronicle on Tuesday morning she would be thrilled if one of her friends — the other four top candidates — won. Perhaps that attitude is what earned her the … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 8/16/22

A flag blows in the wind as Maxwell Lloyd competes in the speed climb event inside the Morton Loggers’ Jubilee Arena on Sunday.

In Focus: Sawdust Flies in Morton Loggers’ Jubilee Arena

8/15/22

Morton Loggers’ Jubilee Queen McKenna Mathews waves alongside royalty on a float Saturday in downtown Morton.

In Focus: Loggers’ Jubilee Parade Cuts Through Morton

8/15/22

Addison Cox, 15, of Onalaska, smiles for a photo while walking pigs alongside Alex Nederlander, 16, Monday afternoon at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds in Centralia.

Community Calendar: Southwest Washington Fair; Business After Hours With Centralia Pharmacy; 'Cinderella' on Stage

To add upcoming events to the Community Calendar, email reporter Matthew Zylstra at matthew@chronline.com. Southwest Washington Fair Southwest Washington Fairgrounds The … more

8/15/22

Volunteers serve dinner to Bike & Build cyclists at Chehalis United Methodist on Wednesday.

Bike & Build: Chehalis United Methodist Hosts Cyclists Advocating for Affordable Housing

As the halfway point between Seattle and Portland, the Twin Cities are a popular stop for cyclists pedaling the about 200 miles between the two cities. But the cyclists who typically cruise … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 8/15/22

The Swon Brothers: 8 p.m.,  Thursday, Aug. 18

Free Musical Performances Among Highlights of the Upcoming Southwest Washington Fair

Note: The 2022 Southwest Washington Fair begins Tuesday, Aug. 16, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 21. Find out more at https://southwestwashingtonfair.org/. There’s a full … more

8/14/22

Magicians, Hypnotists More: Entertainment Attractions Abound at SWW Fair

Note: The 2022 Southwest Washington Fair begins Tuesday, Aug. 16, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 21. Find out more at https://southwestwashingtonfair.org/. In addition to … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/14/22

Gather Around the Midway ‘Music at Night’ Stage at the SWW Fair for Free Nightly Concerts

Note: The 2022 Southwest Washington Fair begins Tuesday, Aug. 16, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 21. Find out more at https://southwestwashingtonfair.org/. If the barns are the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/14/22

FILE PHOTO — Clara Turrentine, 13 months, smiles while racing to the finish line last year on the Community Stage at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds in Centralia.

Diaper Derby, Talent Show and More: Fan-Favorite Events Return to SWW Fair

Note: The 2022 Southwest Washington Fair begins Tuesday, Aug. 16, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 21. Find out more at https://southwestwashingtonfair.org/. Some popular, fan-favorite events … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/14/22

Southwest Washington Fair Demolition Derby

Demo Derby, Rodeo Set to Bring Thrills to SW Washington Fair Grandstands

Note: The 2022 Southwest Washington Fair begins Tuesday, Aug. 16, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 21. Find out more at https://southwestwashingtonfair.org/. Some might think food, animals … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/14/22

An image from the 1952 Southwest Washington Fair.

Southwest Washington Fair: A Celebration Dating Back to 1877

Editor’s Note: This brief history of the fair was first published in 2006. The 2022 Southwest Washington Fair begins Tuesday, Aug. 16, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 21. Find out more at … more

8/14/22

Erin Moriarty, 13, smiles while placing a seismometer in the ground outside the Mount St. Helens Science and Learning Center at Coldwater.

‘Demystifying’ Science: USGS Teams With Middle, High School Girls at Mount St. Helens

Volcanoes don’t discriminate when they erupt, so why should any one group of people be over-represented in further understanding their effects? Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 8/12/22

George Washington is pictured with his dog on a porch in this photograph from the Washington State Historical Society.

Looking Back at the Life of Centralia’s Founding Father George Washington as His 205th Birthday Approaches

The 205th birthday of Centralia’s founding father, George Washington, is coming up. At the Centralia City Council’s Aug. 9 meeting, local historian Heather Beaird gave the council a … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 8/12/22