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The Fair is back

It has begun.

This year marks the 87th year for the Warren County Fair, which began even before that as a one day agricultural show in Sugar Grove. It also marks the 50th year that the Warren County Fair has been held at the Barton Run fairgrounds so familiar to county residents today.

Members of the media and community representatives gathered at the Key Bank Pavilion on Monday afternoon to celebrate the ongoing success of the Warren County Fair and learn about what’s new this year. Among the improvements made to facilities include electric provisions to the hundreds of campsites available at the fairgrounds.

Around 500 or so families camp on the fairgrounds during fair week, said Kent Sanden of the Warren County Fair Board of Directors. The $20,000 improvement was provided by a grant from Scott Electric, according to Dale Bliss of the Board of Directors.

In addition to the campground enhancements, a permanent structure was constructed over the seating at the main show ring. Previously, said Sanden, canvas covers were stretched over the seating but they were not entirely weatherproof and had to be removed each year.

The permanent structure, said Sanden, not only provides cover from sun and inclement weather, but includes an entire section of seating that meets ADA requirements for fairgoers with limited mobility who are unable to take advantage of the bleacher seating at the show ring. Around 90 percent of the fairgrounds, said Sanden “you can see without ever getting you feet dirty,” should fairgoers confined to wheelchairs or scooters need to get around.

The structure over the show ring seating was made possible, said Sanden, by a $10,000 grant from the Community Foundation as well as matching funds secured from Representative Kathy Rapp and Senator Scott Hutchinson for $10,000.

Finally, Northwest Bank became the sponsor for the Motor Sports Arena at the fairgrounds, and Landpro became an additional in-kind sponsor, taking on the Motor Sports Arena’s events, said Sanded. “You don’t think in-kind sounds like a lot,” explained Sanden, but really, he said “we couldn’t do any of it without in-kind sponsors.” Those sponsors, explained Sanden, provide thousands of dollars worth of heavy equipment rentals for free year-round as the fair conducts maintenance and upkeep projects in exchange for displays on the fairgrounds during fair week.

For a full schedule of events for fair week visit warrencountyfair.net.

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