Wayne County Fair board provides a new venue for area 4-Hers

Because a lot of passion and care went into the Wayne County Fair board’s newest endeavor, the youth who raise livestock for the Wayne County Junior Livestock Show will have a new place to perform.

The Wayne County Fair will take on a new feel with the completion of a new livestock building and an event center. The Wayne County Fair board recognized a need and quickly stepped into action designing the two buildings, which will be ready to use during the 2019 Wayne County Fair Sept. 7-12.

What began as an idea quickly blossomed into a huge positive for the fair. The fair board was totally committed to the project, to the youth and to the community, a community that also recognized the need for building a livestock barn due to overcrowding as well as the show barn that limited spectator space availability.

What grew out of this concern was a project that included a 14,080-square-foot livestock building and a 26,100-square-foot event center. To show its commitment, the Wayne County Fair board initially committed $250,000 toward the funding and then spearheaded a community effort to raise the additional funds to complete the $1.9 million project.

What took place in a fairly short time period was nothing short of inspiring as the community came together to support the effort.

Matt Martin, Wayne County Fair board secretary and fair manager, said as the two buildings near completion prior to the fair, the buzz surrounding the project continues to grow.

“It was a leap of faith, but it was something that we all absolutely believed in. It has definitely created an air of excitement and electricity,” Martin said of the new event center and livestock barn, which will give the Junior Livestock fair participants a new home to showcase their showmanship skills as well as their animals. “There has already been a lot of really positive talk around the community about the possibilities these buildings will create for us in the future, and especially what it is going to mean to our Junior Livestock kids. It is going to play a big role in the fair as well as providing a venue for future events all year round.”

Martin said they already have 13 events booked, and they expect that once word spreads about the availability of the expo center, things will really take off.

Local contractor Campbell Construction took the reins in constructing the two buildings.

Martin said seeing the project being finished in time for the 2019 Wayne County Fair is both inspirational and not surprising.

“A lot of people stepped up and delivered,” Martin said. “We knew what needed to be done, and we knew the timeline, and we felt we could get this done on time for the fair this year. The project began to take root probably four or five years ago, but it has been the last two years that we have seen things really kick into high gear with the fundraising and the construction. We had a tremendous partnership with so many people and businesses in the community. This has been an amazing thing to see as people realized the need. They focused on the need, and they supplied.”

Martin said the board has been very diligent making fiscally responsible decisions with donors’ money while at the same time getting things ready for this year’s fair and keeping an eye on the long-term possibilities.

He said the youth are extremely thrilled about what the new buildings will bring to the fair. The livestock barn is located to the immediate west of the event center, allowing quick and easy access to the show arena in the event center.

A large bleacher area provides ample room for the Junior Livestock Show, so the 4-Hers will show their animals in a brand-new facility.

“The kids have been great, and they are excited,” Martin said. “They were a big part of our fundraising effort because they saw the value and the need too. Some of them gave back some of their funds from the sale of their animals last year. The Junior Fair board has been extremely supportive and done what they can to promote the new buildings. They have provided a lot of energy and excitement.”

The event center will host the Junior Livestock Show in two separate show rings, which will help alleviate the late nights being experienced during the Junior Livestock Show, as has been the case over the past years.

There also will be local entertainment there when the livestock shows aren’t taking place, meaning it will get plenty of use throughout the fair.

“What better way to christen these new buildings than at the fair,” Martin said. “People are starting to believe in the possibilities as we move forward. It has truly been driven by the volunteer force and the many people who provided financially. We can‘t wait to actually see the event center filled with people and with kids showing their animals at the Junior Livestock Sale. It is something that I think everyone in our community can take great pride in creating, and it is something that will be here for a long, long time.”