On Tuesday, February 10, 2015, the Colusa County Fairgrounds broke ground on its newest improvement project at Etchepare Hall.
The Frances Dunning Etchepare Memorial Garden will feature raised flower beds, an outdoor demonstration stage, as well as various landscaping improvements around Etchepare Hall.
Etchepare Hall is dedicated in memory of longtime fair board member, Leon Etchepare, the Hall has featured the Floriculture exhibit during the Colusa County Fair and will soon feature an expanded outdoor garden exhibit.
“This is just the first step in making the fairgrounds usable year round,” said Colusa County Fair CEO, Jonathan Howard, “I am very excited about this project.”
Though the project recently broke ground, it has been a project in the making.
“Several years ago when Frances heard about the garden expansion she grabbed the plans and her Sunset magazines and researched all the plants,” said Shelia Etchepare, “She was very excited.”
When Frances passed away in 2013, it only seemed appropriate to dedicate the garden expansion in her memory.
“She loved to garden,” Shelia added.
The garden expansion project is a partnership between the Colusa County Fair Board, the Etchepare Family, the Colusa County Master Gardeners, and the Garden Club of Colusa County.
“Master Gardener, Diane Vafis has made considerable contributions to the project by selecting native plants that will do well and are water wise,” said Master Gardener, Gerry Hernandez.
Some of the plants to be featured in the garden include Fortnight Lily, Carpet Roses, Azaleas, Camellias, Heavenly Bamboo, Society Garlic, Crape Myrtle Trees, Japanese Maple, and Dwarf Pomegranates.
“The Master Gardeners will be able to use the garden a host for demonstrations,” said Hernandez.
The Frances Dunning Etchepare Memorial Garden is just one of the many projects that Fair CEO, Jonathan Howard has in store to help make the fairgrounds facility usable year round.
“I would like to see more projects like this one take shape,” said Howard, “It would be great to have a place for the community to use year around.”
