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Written by Staff Reports
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Thursday, 11 March 2010 20:00 |
The Allen County Fairgrounds Board of Directors hopes to establish the fairgrounds as a community destination that offers more than animal shows and kiddie rides during one week each summer.
The board is doing just that in booking events like the Indiana Quarter Horse Association in July that features a concert by Indiana native and Nashville recording artist Corey Cox, along with 2010 Building Contractors Association Construction & Design Expo in September.
“We’re looking for more things to do away from just the fair,” said Jerry Hammon, president of the Allen County Fairgrounds Board of Directors.
Hammon and about 50 others were out at the fairgrounds Feb. 16 for the board’s annual meeting and dinner. The meeting takes place once per year and its main purpose is to elect new board members and adopt a budget for the new year.
Along with new board members Michelle Love, Greg Reider and Diane Townsend, the fairgrounds also got some good news about one of its buildings.
The 20-year old show barn - where thousands of people display animals each year - needed a new roof. Understanding the $18,000 job would’ve forced the fairgrounds to make cuts in other areas, the Allen County Farm Bureau said it would pay for the new roof.
Other improvements out at the fairgrounds include chipping and sealing the drive along the east side of the fairgrounds.
The fairgrounds board allowed extra dirt removed from the expansion at Parkview Hospital on Dupont Road to be dropped at the fairgrounds by Fox Construction. In exchange, Fox Construction will repair current drives and parking lots as well as create a handicapped parking lot at the fairgrounds.
The board also is looking to increase youth involvement with the fairgrounds. Hammon said he’d like to start a junior fair board. The members would be between 16-21 years old.
“What we’re hoping for is that we’ll get some younger people from the junior fair board right onto the fairgrounds board,” Hammon said. “It’s time for us to get on board and get younger blood in and get their ideas.”
New to the 2010 Allen County Fair will be a corn hole tournament on Saturday. Ticket prices also will remain $5 for an individual and $20 for a family.
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