Prineville, Ore. – The Crook County Fair will kick off its 2025 festivities with the 24th annual Greg Merritt Community Scholarship Fund Barbecue on Wednesday, August 6th. The event begins at 5:00 p.m. under the Main Stage big tent and is open to the public.
The popular BBQ dinner helps fund the Greg Merritt Community Scholarship, which has awarded $69,800 to 78 Crook County High School graduates since its inception. This year’s scholarship recipients are Aspen Cross, Sawyer McDonald, and Ruby Snider.
The scholarship honors the legacy of Greg Merritt, a well-known local farmer, agri-businessman, and community advocate who passed away from cancer in 2000 while campaigning for Crook County Judge. The fund was established by family and friends, and Greg’s wife, Gail, remains active on the Crook County Fair Board.
Dinner will include tri-tip beef, potato casserole, salad, rolls, drinks, and dessert. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under, with all proceeds benefiting the scholarship fund. Admission to the fair and parking are free.
Local favorite Brady Goss & Band will provide live entertainment during the event.
Mr. Alderman is an investigative journalist specializing in government transparency, non-profit accountability, consumer protection, and is a subject mater expert on Oregon’s public records and meetings laws. As a former U.S. Army Military Police Officer, he brings a disciplined investigative approach to his reporting that has frequently exposed ethics violations, financial mismanagement, and transparency failures by public officials and agencies.
