2026 Grand Marshall
Lee & Becky Dale
Lee Dale was born and grew up in Spokane, but the family had a land connection to Hunters. In the 1950's, Lee's dad, Don and his partner, Clive Price, invested in property along Hunters Creek. They raised registered stock and grew hay. During the summers, Lee and his siblings and Randy Price would gather the hay bales and stack them in the barn. This became a love and connection to this land and way of life. Becky (Marsh) Dale was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, but grew up in Riverton, Wyoming. She went to a church out in the country, knew some dairy families and cattlemen and rock hunted with family. Lee and Becky both attended the same Idaho college where they graduated with degrees in education, however they met via Lee's sister Bette. Lee, an army translator stationed in Germany, had asked Bette to ask Becky if she would like to write him. Bette begged Becky to write Lee. Becky said, “Well okay, but he has to write first.” So, Lee wrote. The letters became more frequent, then started flowing to and from Idaho/Wyoming & Germany. A country wedding soon followed in Becky's church in Wyoming. An emergent midyear vacancy in the music department was Becky’s first call to service as teacher where she finished the 1976 year out at Columbia. That summer Lee & Becky made Hunters their home as they both accepted teaching positions at Columbia. Lee taught English among other classes while Becky taught all the music classes and an art class. Becky isn’t the only music lover in the family; Lee not only blesses Cedonia Church with his amazing pianist skills he also plays at the Presbyterian Church monthly. They taught together until they welcomed Lisa their first child to the World; Becky stepped away to raise their daughter. When not working as a teacher or helping his dad on the ranch, Lee started building their first log house in 1979. Lee, Becky and Lisa were soon joined by Hannah to help them fill this new house. Lee worked hard building them a ranch from building a log chicken house to milk area for their cow “Mooscow”. Lee continued substitute teaching and then worked at the Community College in Colville. Becky’s love of music has stretched far beyond her teach years to include directing a Christmas choir from the churches in the community to writing music of Bible scriptures to help the kids at Cedonia VBS memorize them. Lee and Becky started homeschooling Lisa and Hannah and Luke joined the family in 1987. To support the ranch needs and their ever-growing family Lee took on the task of building another log home, in November of 1996, the family moved in. All three kids were involved in 4H, AAU, Junior High and High School volleyball, basketball, football and baseball. In 2002, Lee and Becky were hired as the music teachers at Columbia. Becky taught elementary music and theater arts. Lee had grades 5-12 music plus graduation counselor. Two times being a part of the school was a blessing to them and feel like the staff and teachers are lifelong friends. Lee served on the School Board and is still a volunteer on the District 2 Fire Department. The fair has always been a part of the Dale Family, from 4-H steers, sewing to all 3 kids in rifle target shooting. Both Lisa & Hannah were Fair Royalty and enjoyed representing the Fair in parades & other fairs. Of course, there was participating in the nail driving and crosscut saw contests. Lee still volunteers running the horseshoe competition & Becky oversaw the kids’ games for years. Lee enjoys his small herd of cows and making hay.
Life in this community is a blessing. Our neighbors & friends can live a few miles away but seeing them and catching up with them in Colville, Chewelah, Spokane & yes, the fair, is great. In 51 years of marriage, three kids and five grandchildren, we know that God has guided, protected, provided, and given His son Jesus so that we have the sure hope of heaven. They count it a privilege to be a part of this community.
PAST GRAND MARSHALLS
2025 Neil and Donna Jo Smith
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2023 Dan & Linda Somerlott
PAST GRAND MARSHALLS
