New all-species livestock show barn, other improvements ready for “Building New Traditions” at this year’s Allamakee County Fair
Aerial view of what is new ... Aerial view above the southeast portion of the Allamakee County Fairgrounds shows the new all-species livestock show barn (center of above photo) being constructed in time for use at the upcoming Allamakee County Fair scheduled for July 19-24 this year. The new facility is designed to be more centrally located than the original show barn, which is pictured at far left in the above photo, as well as being more spacious, as the new 80’ x 180’ structure houses a show ring measuring 56’ x 118’. Photo courtesy of the Allamakee County Fair Board.
Bird’s-eye view ... View from high above the eastern portion of the Allamakee County Fairgrounds shows the new, larger all-species livestock show barn that has been constructed during this past year in anticipation of usage at the 2022 Allamakee County Fair. The newly-constructed facility sits in the same area where the building most commonly known as the beef cattle barn once stood, with that beef barn having been picked up and moved to its new location just to the north (just below in the above photo) of the new show barn to now serve as the new home for sheep and goats. The former dairy cattle barn (which would have been located just to the right where the beef barn is now located in the above photo) was dismantled and eliminated due to its aging structure and need of extensive repairs, with dairy cattle now being housed in the former show barn immediately to the left of the new show barn and all beef cattle being housed in the barn in the bottom left corner of the above photo. Photo courtesy of the Allamakee County Fair Board.
More room to show, and grow ... A view from the elevated spectator balcony above the office area on the north end of the new all-species livestock show barn being constructed at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds in time for this year’s fair shows the larger show ring area, along with some of the accompanying bleacher seating and access points to the building and the show ring. The new building is a product of the “Building New Traditions” campaign implemented by the Allamakee County Fair Board within the past year to accommodate the growth trend within several livestock showing areas by local 4-H and FFA youth. Photo by Abigail Waters.
Office space ... One of the amenities of the new livestock show barn at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds is the office area located within the new facility that allows for more room to conduct the 4-H, FFA and other business during the Allamakee County Fair. The new show barn was constructed through the “Building New Traditions” fundraising campaign conducted by the Allamakee County Fair Board throughout this past year. Photo by Abigail Waters.
by Abigail Waters
Over the last few years, a trend of increasing participation in goat, swine and dairy showing exhibits has made the Allamakee County Fair Board take a good look at the facilities at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds and think about what improvements the board could make for the future.
That assessment has resulted in the construction of a new, larger all-species livestock show barn through a “Building New Traditions” campaign that has taken place throughout this past year. That new show barn is currently being completed in time for use during this year’s Allamakee County Fair in just a couple weeks.
Allamakee County Fair Board Treasurer Bobbi Baxter states that, “We never want the size of our facilities to limit what youth can participate in. With all this in mind, we made plans for a new show barn to be centrally located so that each species could easily get to the show barn and all kids, regardless of which species they exhibit, would be able to enjoy this building.”
The “Building New Traditions” campaign has brought out immense community support for the new all-species show barn, according to the fair board. The project had a financial goal of $500,000, and through many generous donations, the financial support has topped $400,000 so far. The board will continue to hold fundraising events and accept donations.
For those who would like to provide financial support for the new facility, forms can be found on the Allamakee County Fair website at www.allamakeecountyfair.org, under the Fair Improvements link. Donations are tax deductible and can be mailed to the Allamakee County Agricultural Society, P.O. Box 208, Waukon, IA 52172, or arrangements can be made by calling Baxter at 563-380-0696.
“Many have mentioned how nice the fairgrounds look and how great it is to make improvements for the future generations,” Baxter shared. “It really has been a rewarding process, and we’re so grateful for the generosity of the communities in Allamakee County. It has been motivating to know how much the Allamakee County Fair has meant to people over the years. Many families’ summer memories include the Allamakee County Fair; whether it be water fights at the wash rack, looking forward to seeing kids from another town for one week each summer, memories of the grandstand events, or simply a little break from the everyday grind.”
Allamakee County Fair Board Event Coordinator and Secretary McKayla Rethamel, who also grew up participating in and looking forward to the Allamakee County Fair each year, shares: “The new building is going to be a place where families will be able to make lasting memories for many years to come. I became actively involved with the fair about 17 years ago as a young 4-H member and I haven’t missed one since. Some of my favorite summer memories happened at the fair and I can’t wait for my family to experience those times as well. Being a younger member of this community, it makes me proud of where I’m from, knowing your community is always there to support you.”
Rethamel related how her experiences in the past are similar to many area youth, especially with involvement in the fair. Those experiences have provided her with a great sense of pride and anticipation that she wants her own children to experience.
“4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors put in countless hours preparing their animals at home for the big show,” she continued. “Similar to sports fanatics getting to watch or play games in the ‘big arenas’, youth livestock exhibitors will be able to feel that same excitement in the ‘big show arena’. I can’t wait to be able to share the same excitement I felt in that show ring with my children in the future.”
LOCAL 4-H’ERS SHARE THEIR PERSPECTIVE
Mason Byrnes will be a senior member in the Allamakee County 4-H program this year. He will be bringing pigs and dairy cattle to show at the Allamakee County Fair later this month.
“I am looking forward to the new barn because it will give us the opportunity to show in a larger facility and give judges a better look at the animals,” Byrnes shared. “The old show barn was smaller but this new, larger barn will provide more space and opportunities for more events. It will be a bigger, better facility. I am looking forward to showing in the years to come but this will especially be a great asset for the future 4-H’ers. I also want to thank all the people who made the new show barn possible!”
Claire Opperman is another local high school student who has been involved in the agricultural community showing dairy cattle at the fair since her “Pee Wee” days. She has been showing dairy cattle since the ages of four or five in the old show barn, up until this year.
“I am sad that they took down the old dairy barn (where the dairy cattle had been housed; they will now be housed in the former show barn, which has been remodeled), but I am excited for this new, larger show barn,” she said. “It will be nice to have all the shows in one place and to get to use a nice big arena. I think it was time for an upgrade and I am excited for the opportunity to show in this new barn. I think it will be a great thing for the new people becoming involved in showing.”
Brenna Berns is a now graduated high school senior who shows beef cattle and sheep through the 4-H program. This will be her last year to be involved in the fair in that capacity, but she is looking forward to having the end of her participation involve a new beginning for the fairgrounds’ showing facilities.
She shared, “I grew up watching my older siblings working hard to train their animals. I got to share in their satisfaction as they were handed a trophy with a smile and a handshake. I was fortunate enough to show alongside them in the ring of the old barn. I will cherish the memories I have made over the years, but I am excited to show in the new barn for my final year being a member of the Allamakee County 4-H organization.”
Berns also shared that the new facility will be a greater benefit for not just those showing in the ring. “I appreciate the fair board for putting in the time and effort to make all this possible,” she commended. “Their efforts will allow my grandparents to more easily enjoy the long, hot show days as well as provide the younger generation with a new show ring to make unforgettable memories in, just as the old show barn has done for me.”
BUILDING SPECIFICS
The new barn will stand at an impressive 80’ x 180’ in size with a 56’ x 118’ show ring accompanied by all new handicap accessible alleys and bleacher seating, air conditioned restrooms, a spectator balcony with a brand new sound system, a 4-H and FFA office space inside the building, and an area for the next event’s participants to wait comfortably inside the building. An indoor concession stand will host Aztec Parlor serving drinks and bakery products daily during the livestock events. The fair board encourages everyone to stop by to check out the new facility, grab a refreshment and enjoy their favorite livestock show.
Having events in this new barn will allow for more space in the other buildings and therefore provide more involvement opportunities for the community. For example, sheep and goats used to share space with the dairy cattle in the dairy barn. But now the former smaller beef barn has been moved and opened up specifically for the sheep and goat exhibitors in very close proximity to the new show barn, allowing for easy visitor access, with all the beef exhibitors now being housed in one larger facility that had only been partially used in the past.
All building materials and contractors used in the new show barn were local, so there has been a wide span of people from the local community who have played a part in this project. Those who contributed their skills, materials and experience in constructing the new building include Blake Excavating, Kelly Concrete, Tony Beneke Construction, West Side Waukon Lumber, Ashbacher’s Building Supplies, Kurth Plumbing & Heating, Ken Kerr Electric, Tri-State Doors, Schwartzhoff Logging and Trucking, Village Farm & Home, Cunningham Hardware, Tyler Sommer Dozing, Croell Redi-Mix, Bruening Rock Products, Oden Sign Service, Ceiling Pro Plus, Byrnes Landscaping, Light Source, Matt Marting, Dalaco and Lifetime Gutters.
The new all-species livestock show barn has been built from the bottom up and will now be put to use during the Allamakee County Fair hosting all the livestock shows during the July 19-24 event. A complete schedule of events can be found on the Allamakee County Fair website.
ADDITIONAL PLANS
A new event this year is a “Parade of Champions,” which will be held immediately prior to the traditional livestock auction Sunday, July 24 at 4:30 p.m. This parade will showcase all Grand and Reserve Champions, as well as static projects selected for the Iowa State Fair. That same afternoon, an appreciation meal will be held from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the new show barn for all the livestock buyers, fair sponsors and exhibitor families to enjoy. This is hosted by the 4-H Youth Development Committee as a “thank you” for supporting the fair.
Iron Ridge Church will also be hosting its Sunday Worship service in the new facility at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 24. The fair board said this was a big hit last year and looks forward to seeing everyone again this year.
With the idea of creating a new all-species show facility, the horse show will continue to be held in its outdoor arena more suitable to that show format, but the new show barn will now have the capacity to serve as a more accommodating back-up facility in the case of inclement weather. In the future, the fair board hopes to offer the new barn as a practice space for those involved in the horse show.
The building will also be available to rent throughout the rest of the year. Details are still being finalized and will be posted on the Allamakee County Fair website, www.allamakeecountyfair.org, and Facebook pages. Events may include youth livestock shows, rodeos, indoor horse practices, and more personalized events, like graduation parties, and more.
As a final note, the fair board states, “We are excited for Fair 2022, and the excitement that surrounds the recent updates! We invite everyone to come up and enjoy the fair, take in the livestock shows, free entertainment and grandstand events. There is a lot to enjoy right here at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds. We’ll see you July 20-24!”
