Clark County Fairgrounds uses $50K in state funding on renovations

The Clark County Fair Board has invested more than $50,000 in upgrades to the Clark County Fairgrounds as it prepares for a full fair later this month.

The coronavirus pandemic limited the 2020 fair to five days, few food trucks and only allowed 4-H and FFA exhibits.

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“We’re so excited because it’s going to be better than normal. We’ve taken the time during the pandemic to improve some things. It’s not just going to be a full fair, but it’s going to be a very special fair,” Clark County Fairgrounds Executive Director Dean Blair said.

This year’s fair will include 4-H and FFA exhibits, new and returning food vendors, fair rides, live entertainment and other new and returning attractions. The fairgrounds is currently undergoing renovations and reorganization, in part funded by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

The $50,000 comes from $.4.7 million ODA divided among the state’s 94 county fairs. The money was authorized by a bill in the Ohio legislature and signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine in May.

The Clark County fairgrounds is using this money towards a concrete floor in the goat barn and improvements on campsite and barn roads, Blair said.

“Unless you are there physically showing animals, I can’t tell you how big a deal it is to have that concrete floor. Besides making the building multipurpose, it also creates an environment that is cleaner and better for both the visitors that are coming to see the animals and the animals that are being displayed there and spending a week living there,” Blair said. “It just makes for a so much nicer environment.”

Credit: Bill Lackey

Credit: Bill Lackey

In addition to putting concrete in the goat barn, the campground roads will be upgraded, an important part of the fairgrounds to the over 550 families camping there during the fair.

The road upgrades and concrete in the goat barn cost over $30,000 each. Combined, this exceeds the $50,000 from the Department of Agriculture. The fairgrounds will make up the difference, Blair said.

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The projects are expected to be completed before the fair opens at the end of July.

On top of these new renovations, the fairgrounds has updated and modernized six of its restroom facilities with new floors, touchless faucets, toilets and towel dispensers. These restrooms are located in the three-building complex that houses the Arts and Crafts, Annex and Mercantile buildings. These improvements are funded by a $6,000 grant from the Della Selsor Trust.

Credit: Bill Lackey

Fairgoers can also expect to see some returning events in different places.

The banquet center has turned into retail store space and is no longer available, according to Blair. The 13 programs previously in the Champion Center will be relocated into the Arts and Crafts building. The opening ceremonies, the queen contests and commission meetings are just a few of the relocated programs.

Because of this, the businesses and Heritage Museum display previously located in the Arts and Crafts building will move to the Mercantile Building.

“I think it’s a win for everybody,” Blair said. “It’s still a work in progress, but it’s the first time in our 70 year history that its being done this way.”