Etchepare Hall and Memorial Garden were in full bloom last week during the 2023 Colusa County Fair.
Positioned near the main gates, visitors had the opportunity to see “what’s growing on” at the fairgrounds – during the Fair and throughout the year.
The building and garden, home to the Fair’s horticulture show, are named for the late Leon and Fran Etchepare, of Maxwell.
Now, the presentation stage in the garden bears names that are synonymous with the most successful exhibit at the Colusa County Fair: the Garden Club of Colusa County and Diane and John Vafis.
The Garden Club, with Diane and John as founding members, was formed on Aug. 28, 2007. The group is responsible for maintaining the garden area at the hall and organizing the floral show during the fair.
“The Garden Club and the Vafises are such a big part of this,” said Shiela Etchepare, who oversaw the dedication with sister-in-law Jeanmarie Etchepare. “From the inception of this garden, they were part of the direction, the plant selection, the planting, and the oversight. We, as a family, can’t thank them enough – either individually or as a group.”
The 44th District Agriculture Association, who oversee the fairgrounds, were unanimous in their support of the dedication, said Director Sue Gibbs, who attended the dedication.
Allen Etchepare and grandchildren, Cade and Lena, also attended the dedication, along with a number of members of the Garden Club, including Cindy Libbee, president.
Founding Garden Club President Cynthia White said the initial response from the community to form a Garden Club was wonderful.
“Everybody knew we were going to be about service to the community and making Colusa the place that we all hope it can be,” White said.
The Garden Club of Colusa is affiliated with the Garden Club of California. The club has about 60 members, who have been responsible for beautifying the county libraries, the Colusa County Courthouse, and other public spaces, in addition to maintaining the Fran Etchepare Memorial Garden.
“I think I can speak for the members of the Garden Club members in saying that it is such a pleasure to garden – and garden here in this beautiful garden the Etchepares have provided,” Diane Vafis said. “It was just a gravel pit when we started, with dead plants and trees. It was hard to imagine that it could be turned into such a beautiful place.”
Thanks to the work of the Garden Club and the dedication and support of the Etchepare family, the hall and memorial garden is one of the most beautiful and welcoming places on the Colusa County Fairgrounds, Vafis said. ■