Celebrate Homegrown.

It sounds so simple.

But Enumclaw Expo Center Marketing and Event Manager Kristen Damazio is finding some folks aren’t quite getting the local twist on the King County and Enumclaw Fair.

“We want to celebrate all that we have on the Plateau,” Damazio said. “We want it to showcase all of the talents of all of the people.”

Celebrate Homegrown will have all the bells and whistles that make up a traditional fair, but Damazio and crew also want local artists, crafters and farmers to display too.

“It’s celebrating everything that makes the Enumclaw Plateau great,” she said. “What we really need, really wanted, were arts and crafters and backyard gardeners.”

An area of the Expo Center grounds, right down the midway, will be called Main Street and will feature Plateau area artists and growers. Damazio said, for example, it’s a great opportunity for neighbors to pool together and sell their produce for three days, or someone who makes soaps or candles in their basement to come on out.

Local vendors will have their space too, in the Exhibit Hall with other commercial sellers.

Damazio has loaded up on local entertainment including former Plateau resident Rae Solomon, Bonney Lake’s Michelle’s Studio of Dance, and Enumclaw-based performers like Phil Hansen, Emily Pratt, Anya Holte, Allegro Women’s Ensemble and Fire Brigade.

The event will feature a water park, car show and chili cookoff, which she is also encouraging Plateau folks to join.

Local nonprofit organizations are also encouraged to volunteer at a number of Celebrate Homegrown’s many tasks. Volunteers will earn money for their respective groups. It’s a way, again, Damazio said, to get the community involved. Organizations that are interested can contact her at 360-615-5631.

Plus, like the fair Plateau residents and visitors have come to expect, it will highlight 4-H groups, their livestock and projects and offer them an opportunity to compete and qualify for state.

“We’re trying to keep something going that’s been going for almost 150 years,” Damazio said. “We want to keep it going two more years so we can celebrate 150 years.”

For decades King County ran the fair, but after years of declining attendance and rising costs, decided to pull the plug the past couple years. The city of Enumclaw, with financial help from the county, stepped up and agreed to take charge of the fair and its grounds. A smaller version of the fair drew good-sized crowds last summer and this year, the city is hoping to see 11,000 visitors or more through the gates for Celebrate Homegrown Aug. 12, 13 and 14.

For more information, visit the Web site www.enumclawexpocenter.com.