Fair Board discusses future projects after successful fair

The Great Northern Fair members said they look forward to the next year after a successful Great Northern Fair last month, discussing ongoing projects at their regularly scheduled board meeting Tuesday evening.

Fairgrounds Manager Frank English said the numbers aren't finalized yet, but based on what he's seen this year's fair went very well and the board members said it seems like it has been a very successful year.

Board Vice-Chair Bob Kaul said, based on the reports they've gotten, it seems like people responded positively to this year's fair, particularly all the rides and games that were available for children.

Montana State University Hill County Extension Agent Colleen Pegar said 4-H had 724 entries this year compared to 585 last year and their numbers for their livestock sale were very good, so this was a great fair on their end as well.

Beyond discussing this past fair, members of the board also discussed projects coming up.

Kaul said, now that the roof on the horse pavilion is complete, all but two buildings on the grounds now have updated roofs that will last 15 to 20 years, and he'd like to do some work on the remaining two before either of them start seeing issues.

He said the board is also looking to have some updates done to the commercial building, but they don't have price estimates just yet.

Board member Ken Erickson said they will also be installing another set of bathrooms next week.

During the meeting the board was given a memo from Clay Vincent, who, despite his retirement, is still doing some sanitarian work for the county, which said the Bigger Better Barn can't have wooden doors on its bathroom stalls unless they are painted or sealed.

Board members said that's an easy fix, and they will make sure that gets done as well.

Even with the fair over, Erickson said, the fairgrounds have a busy few months ahead with rodeos coming up Aug. 21, 23, 24, 26 and 27.

He said next month will have The Friends of the Havre Animal Shelter Woofstock fundraiser Sept. 23, a circus Sept. 26, and another rodeo Sept. 30.

In October, he said, the Beaver Creek Jam will be Oct. 21, another rodeo Oct. 26, and a Trunk or Treat event Oct 31.

Erickson said the Hi-Line Rodeo Team will also have events at the grounds throughout October and November.

Hill County Commissioner Sheri Williams, who attended as a member of the public, said the fair needs to get its budget to the commission by the end of the week or they won't be able to finalize the county's budget.

Williams said the entire county is waiting on the fair and has already delayed things longer than normal.

Board members said they would get the budget done in time and Board Chair Michelle Burchard said she wasn't aware that Friday was the deadline and all she'd received was an email asking her to contact the commission about it as soon as she could.

Erickson said the budget is mostly nailed down, they're just trying to find room for a few more expenses at this point.

Williams also asked the board to start getting contracts to the commission quicker so they can be assigned numbers.