Allamakee County Fair Board kicking off “Building New Traditions” capital campaign for new All-Species Show Barn, other fairgrounds improvements

by Lissa Blake

Building new traditions.

That’s the driving force of a new $500,000 capital campaign under way to revitalize the Allamakee County Fairgrounds.

“With an aging fairgrounds and a strong community that is heavily involved in agriculture, it’s time to make some improvements,” said Allamakee County Fair Board Treasurer Bobbi Baxter about the initiative.

Back in 2019, the Fair Board took a good look at the buildings and had many discussions on the best way to revitalize the livestock buildings at the fairgrounds. The board decided on a project that will benefit all youth exhibitors of all livestock species.

The project, which has had some initial preparation steps already completed, includes a number of renovations and upgrades to several current buildings, in addition to construction of a new one. Some of the improvements listed below are also labeled in the photo at right in an effort to further visualize the project.

Step 1. Take down the current dairy barn.

“This barn is in need of costly repairs and is no longer able to accommodate the dairy program in our county. Both the size of the cattle and the numbers are growing,” said Baxter. The current show barn at the fairgrounds will be transformed into the dairy barn.

Step 2. Relocate the cattle barn currently located behind the pavilion. That existing building that houses some of the beef cattle during fair time will be moved and set on a new foundation. It will become the new sheep and goat barn.

“Sheep and goats are currently housed in the east side lean of the current show barn,” Baxter outlined. “With growing numbers in this area, it’s time for them to have their own space. Once this plan is complete, they will have their own barn, as we will relocate the cattle barn that is where this new show barn will be located, and that will become the sheep and goat barn.”

Step 3. Build a new all-species show barn. This will be centrally located behind the pavilion.

In addition, the Fair Board plans to expand its swine pens to accommodate continued growth in that program. “Currently, the swine show ring is housed in the swine barn,” Baxter elaborated. “This puts a limit on the number of swine pens we have room for. By locating the new All-Species Livestock Show Barn near the swine barn, swine will now show in the new building. This will allow for more pens to be purchased and less overcrowding.”

NEW BARN SPECS
Baxter explained the new all-species show barn will measure 80’ x 180’ and include a 56’ x 118’ show ring. It will have handicap accessible, air-conditioned bathrooms and an air-conditioned 4-H/FFA office and concession area. There will be new aluminum bleacher seating, and all work will be done by local contractors and building materials will also be purchased locally.

AN INSPIRED START
Fundraising is already in full swing with a $50,000 commitment from Waukon State Bank and a $20,000 grant received from the Allamakee County Community Foundation. The fundraising committee will continue to reach out to other organizations for support.

In addition, a local youth’s spontaneous philanthropy quickly blossomed into over $16,000 for the project.

Jacob Grangaard, son of Pete and Katy Grangaard, is a freshman this year at Waukon High School. It was his first year of showing any type of animal at the fair this year, showing a rabbit as a member of the local FFA chapter. During this year’s livestock auction, he announced he would donate the proceeds from the sale of his rabbit at the annual fair-ending livestock auction to the new show barn project.

“Luana Savings Bank bought the rabbit for $675 and from then on, an overwhelming amount of excitement took over. People started jumping in and matching his donation. It was really an emotional thing, as the generosity became contagious,” recalled Baxter.

In just a few moments, 23 others had matched young Grangaard’s gift, resulting in $16,200 in donations thus far. Those joining the donation effort included Sema Equipment, McCormick Motorz, Dennis and Sherri Lyons, Broker Leather, The Iron Mine, Pete and Katy Grangaard (Jacob’s parents), Jet’s Cafe, Jet’s Meat Processing, Skyline Construction, Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank, Nan Grangaard (Jacob’s grandmother), RW Pladsen, NEIA Sales, Village Farm and Home, Sweeney Auction, Waukon State Bank, Distant View Farms, Monroe Auction, Larry and Mary Jo Moore, Croell Redi-Mix, West Side Lumber, Bodensteiner Implement and Bodensteiner Body Werks.

“If any businesses or individuals want to jump on board the train that Jacob started, contact me for the form, and they will be recognized with their name on a plaque above the bleachers in the new building,” said Baxter.

DONATION LEVELS
The Fair Board has established several donation levels to choose from for individuals, organizations or businesses to make contributions to the project, and all donations are tax-deductible. Commitments can be made as a lump sum or annually over five years.

The following levels will be recognized with appropriate signage in the new facility:

• Five (5) payments of $20,000, or a lump sum of $100,000
• Five (5) payments of $10,000, or a lump sum of $50,000
• Five (5) payments of $5,000, or a lump sum of $25,000
• Five (5) payments of $1,000 or a lump sum of $5,000.

Donations between $500 and $5,000 will buy membership into the Livestock Fan Club, and that money will go toward new aluminum bleacher seating in the new barn. Baxter said donations can even be made from the harvest this fall when rolling over the scales, for example, by designating bushels of corn or soybeans to be sold in the Allamakee County Fair’s name.

For more information about the project or about the donation process, contact Baxter at 563-380-0696. Further details and donation forms can also be found on the Allamakee County Fair website, www.allamakeecountyfair.org.