New Richland County Fair Building Doubles Event Space

In the style of the new cattle barn and the 4-H and school exhibit buildings, the new addition to the Event Center has the look of a barn on the outside. "It has the feel of the ag style, not industrial. It feels like a county fair," Richland County Fair Manager Pam Shelmidine explained. With B&B Builders as general contractor, and using local sub-contractors where ever possible, the addition was built using county oil and gas money, with no additional taxpayer funding.

Exhibitors at this year's fair will relish the air conditioning, as they show off their flowers, culinary skills, needlework, photography and fine arts as well as those famous community booths and seed pictures! New displays are being built for exhibits and old ones repainted to make them look a lot more at home. "Everything's getting a face lift," Shelmidine said. She added that they hope to have some tables and chairs available to give visitors a break as well.

The 20,000 sq. ft. building has the same capacity as the event center in a more-square configuration. It features a huge open area which cannot be divided, with overhead doors at each end you could drive a combine through. Entry doors on the north and south side feature a vestibule with air locks to prevent heat or cooling to escape. Be sure to look up when you walk in – the lighting is stunning! The cove lighting around the perimeter even changes color.

Three meeting rooms along the east side can be used for a multitude of events. One of those rooms is equipped for audio-visual presentations, making it a great choice for meetings. The other two are multi-purpose and could be used for birthday parties, showers, or as a staging area for caterers. "They have endless possibilities," Shelmidine said. There is also ample storage for tables, chairs and exhibit displays.

The spacious bathrooms, which are ADA compliant, feature troughs with two faucets and a hand dryer in each. Changing tables are included in both the men's and women's bathrooms.

Twenty-two-foot overhangs on each end of the building provide a lot of exterior space for vendors or a place to just get out of the weather. Dumpster enclosures have also been built to accommodate both buildings and keep trash from public view.

The building does not have a kitchen, but the one in the Event Center can be rented along with the east room for extra space. That would also give access to all the bathrooms, tables and chairs. The entire complex could be opened up to allow big fundraisers to accommodate more people. Shelmidine said both spaces are already booked for two conventions and hopes it will attract more. "It helps the restaurants, hotels, gas stations. It benefits the whole community. We all work together," she stated.

Shelmidine is also excited about the new extra-wide sidewalk which will run from the parking lot directly to the grandstand. Unfortunately, the sidewalk will not have lights for this year's fair but those will be installed as soon as possible. "The sidewalk will provide for better handicap access to all events, including the fair," Shelmidine said. "Everyone should feel included when it comes to the fair,"

The white gate which guarded the entrance to the fairgrounds for decades will find a new home at the end of the sidewalk on the west side of the Event Center.

Stop by and visit during the Richland County Fair & Rodeo. Doors open at 11 a.m. Gates open at 9 a.m.