Fair Board discusses upcoming events, repairs

In addition to discussing progress on a number of repairs going on at the Great Northern Fairgrounds, the Great Northern Fair Board and Fairgrounds Manager Frank English discussed upcoming events at the board’s monthly meeting.

Among the events discussed was an Aaron Tippin concert for the Police Protective Assocation that will be at the Bigger Better Barn April 6 from 7 to 9 p.m.

He also said he’s working on setting up opportunities for local schools to use the grounds for art projects, as well as a photo and logo contest for next year’s fair.

He said he hopes the latter two will help with publicity.

English said he’s also working out the details for next year’s fair, and board Chair Michelle Burchard said their Events Committee will be meeting in the next few weeks to discuss that and draw up contracts.

As for events in the less distant future, Hill County Extension Agent Colleen Pegar said they have some events coming up next month including a cropping seminar Jan. 12 at the 4-H Chuckwagon from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. which will count for three pesticide credits in dealer, ag plant pest, demo and research, and private applicator.

A release about the event asks attendees to register by Jan. 6 by calling the Extension office at 406-400-2333 and says lunch will be provided.

Pegar said this will be followed by a two-hour educational session on trusts at 4 p.m. by Marsha Goetting, Ph.D, a well-known Extension professor of family economics.

Jan. 24 at the Chuckwagon from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., she said, a Real Colors Class about personality types will be held.

A flyer for the event also asks for attendees to register by Jan. 6 by calling the Extension office.

Pegar said that, this coming year, Extension will have 34 market steer and seven breeding beef so they will need the horse stalls removed from the Beef Barn so they can all fit.

After discussing upcoming events the board also talked about recent progress made on ongoing projects and maintenance at the grounds.

Board Vice Chair Bob Kaul said the new toilets for the new bathrooms in the Bigger Better Barn are on order and should be there soon, hopefully before the first of next year, after which they will need to work on the stalls to complete the project.

Kaul said they also need to put the project to replace the roof of the Horse Barn out for bid.

He said the structure has been thoroughly sealed so the lack of a permanent roof shouldn’t expose it to the elements in the meantime.

Pegar said Extension will have 10 horses this year so they will need the Horse Barn done by next year’s fair, which English said it should be.

As for a project already out to bid, he suggested the board vote in favor of a bid from James Albertson Construction for $8,800 to install new ceiling tiles and insulation in the former office building.

English said he worked this month on structural repairs so the building as well.

Kaul said there is still a little more work to be done on the building outside of the tiles and insulation, but the fair can easily take care of that itself in relatively short order.

The board voted unanimously to accept the bid Kaul suggested.

Kaul also said they have an architect working on drawing up designs for new bathrooms on the west side of the grounds and he’s hoping they will be prepared by the first of the year, and the whole project done by next year’s fair.

Outside of those projects, he said, it’s just “maintenance, maintenance, maintenance.”

After discussing those projects Burchard said the fair’s financials look good and she has no concerns at the moment.

After the meeting, which only lasted about 10 minutes, Kaul wished everyone a merry Christmas and cautioned them to be careful while traveling.

“It’s pretty nasty out there,” he said.