The Decatur County Fair Committee convened on August 7, 2024, at 6:00 PM, engaging in a productive discussion on improvements for the 2025 fair. The committee focused on several key areas needing attention, including scheduling changes, facility repairs, and operational enhancements.
Key Discussion Points:
- Fair Parade and Ride Scheduling:
- The committee debated the possibility of moving the fair parade back to its original time of 5:00 PM. Another suggestion was to negotiate with the ride company to start operations earlier in the day. Also, it was discussed if the parade should be the same route or routed back through the fairgrounds.
- Facilities and Maintenance:
- Horse Arena Audio: The sound system issues in the horse arena have been resolved.
- Track Lighting: A quote for the track lighting is pending.
- Water Leak in Poultry Barn: The leak has been repaired.
- Roof Leak in Rabbit Barn: The roof leak remains an issue.
- Wi-Fi: Persistent connectivity issues were reported and are being addressed.
- Parking and Vendor Concerns: The committee discussed the need for painted parking spots and addressed safety issues with vendors using glass bottles, which were found shattered in various areas, including toilets filled with sawdust and broken glass.
Financial Update:
While final figures are still pending, preliminary financial results were shared:
- 2024 Sponsorships: $38,100 (plus 3 in-kind donations)
- Track Events & Parking: $12,651.00 (this figure is not final as the Tractor Pull cancellation is still being settled)
- Luehr’s Settlement: $37,661.09
The committee noted that irregular weather, including three nights of rain and one night of rain and hail, significantly impacted attendance and revenue.
Acknowledgments and Future Plans:
- Mark Koors thanked all volunteers for their dedicated work during the fair and behind the scenes.
- Christopher Fogle, Decatur County Extension Office Executive Director, praised the smooth execution of the fair and acknowledged the positive feedback received.
- Bill Metz expressed his gratitude to the 4-H council and volunteers for maintaining the barn’s appearance post-fair.
Upcoming Projects:
Mark Koors presented an $82,793.00 estimate for remodeling the Farm & Home bathrooms, including the addition of heating/air conditioning and the removal of showers. The committee agreed to seek additional quotes before proceeding.
Looking Ahead:
The meeting concluded with a forward-looking question: “Where do we go from here?”
Jeremy Pasel responded by announcing that he has the list of who will be a part of the new Fair Committee and plans to release that information in time for preparations to begin for the 2025 fair in December.
Fair dates for the Decatur County 2025 4-H Fair are July 10th-16th.
The meeting was adjourned.
