LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Fair has compiled its annual wish list for equipment.

Businesses and individuals can write off the full market value of equipment, supplies or funds that they donate to the fairgrounds, just as they would any other donation to a non-profit or a government agency.

“We will happily supply the proper documentation for a donor’s tax preparer,” said fair chief executive officer Richard Persons.

Although the fair is operated by a state agency, the 49th District Agricultural Association, it receives no tax dollars.

“The association depends upon revenues it derives from activities on the fairgrounds and from donations by businesses and individuals in order to survive,” said Persons. “People often think that their state income taxes help to support the fairgrounds, but that isn’t the case. There are no tax dollars of any sort, all funds are generated locally.”
 
After the publication of the wish list in previous years, the fair received donations of thousands of dollars worth of landscaping equipment, painting equipment, a backhoe tractor, a bucket lift truck, fencing, 4-inch steel pipe, a 12,000 gallon water storage tank, more than 70 new 55 gallon drums, a strap banding tool with strap supplies, several hundred hours of labor, and some cash.
 
Items on the fair’s current wish list include a small refrigerator approximately 12 cubic feet in size, large two or three door commercial refrigerators, a turf vacuum, two weed-eaters, a commercial paper shredder, ten full sheets of exterior plywood, a commercial carpet cleaner/vacuum, 40 gallons of white latex paint, a small tractor with a bucket.

Also needed are 120 feet of 36” culvert pipe, fifty cubic yards of road base, 25 cubic yards of concrete, 200 yards of pea gravel, and various roofing materials. The fair will accept donations of most types of tools or equipment in good condition, supplies, labor, or cash donations.
 
Businesses or individuals interested in donating should stop by or call the fair office at 707-263-6181. Winter hours at the fair office are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The office is located at 401 Martin St. in Lakeport.
 
Buildings and outdoor areas at the fairgrounds are available for events all year round. The annual Lake County Fair takes place Labor Day weekend each year.