Yelm’s Dawn Lantz and Neil Tolstead were recently honored for their dedication and involvement in the Thurston County Fair. Lantz has served at the fair since 2006, while Tolstead has been a part of the fair since 2014.
The criteria for the lifetime achievement honor state candidates must have at least five years of involvement in the Thurston County Fair, have made a sizable one-time or ongoing contribution at the fair, are not members of the current Thurston County Fair Board and participate and contribute to more than one area of the fair.
Lantz began her time with the Thurston County Fair as a goat superintendent in 2006. In 2010, she transferred to become the open class superintendent. Tolstead began his work with the Thurston County Fair in 2014 and has been involved with the market sale. The two also set up and tear down animal pens.
“I was going out with Dawn about nine years ago before we got married, and she got me involved in the Thurston County youth market as a spotter to help the auctioneers,” Tolstead said.
Lantz was instrumental in getting goats featured in the market sale at the Thurston County Fair, as it only featured beef, sheep and swine until her efforts opened up for goats in the market.
“We’re honored to get this award,” Tolstead said. “We volunteer for so many things. When you put a lot of time into community events and FFA activities, so many times people don’t get recognized. So we feel honored for all of our volunteer hours and time.”
Lantz said it was nice to see the many photos of previous fairs set out at the award ceremony. “To see so many of those people that have helped out in the past was amazing,” she said.
Lantz and Tolstead were both involved again at the Thurston County Fair this year, where they continued their typical routines at the fairgrounds.
“They had some major changes at the fair this year because they tore down a bunch of the buildings,” Lantz said. “The fair attendance this year was also over last year, which is always a great sign. It’s a community out there at the Thurston County Fair. It’s fun to see everyone you know but only see once a year. The exhibits are great, too. I enjoy seeing what everyone is working on.”
Tolstead, along with his praises for the attendance of the Thurston County Fair this year, had nothing but good things to say about the food at the fairground.
“You could start a restaurant with just fair food there at the fairground,” he said. “But anyways, the weather was perfect this year. Every day that I was there, it was full. This year, especially with Kya (Ramirez) on the board, it was really successful.”
Ramirez, a former Yelm High School FFA member and current Thurston County Fair board member, described the impact that Lantz and Tolstead have had on her and the fair.
“As both have had a significant impact on the fair itself, they are a massive contribution to the Yelm FFA Chapter,” Ramirez said. “They are both so giving and caring of the kids within Yelm and are a huge help to the exhibitors throughout the busy week at the fair.”
Ramirez, a former Yelm High School student, said Lantz has had a tremendous impact on her life and interest in FFA.
“Dawn Lantz has been a part of my life ever since I walked into her second period science class during my freshman year. She was the first Yelm FFA advisor I had ever met and is the reason why I am where I am today,” Ramirez said. “I would not have been a part of the Yelm FFA chapter without her drive to get me involved.”
She also described Tolstead as being a great human and said he plays a big part in the market sale at the Thurston County Fair.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Neil while I have been a part of the fair, both past and present,” Ramirez said. “Neil is a great inspiration to the exhibitors within the market sale, and anytime I see him, he always has a smile on his face and is always willing to give a helping hand to me if I need it.”
