Manager asks to make county fair more inclusive

Alexis Barker
NLJ Reporter
 
“We are trying to do things to get more people to show up, to show people that fair is not an exclusive thing for kids that have animals or are involved in 4-H,” said Kara Brown, Weston County Fairgrounds manager. 
Brown approached the county commissioners on Jan. 15 to discuss the upcoming 2019 fair and the commissioners’ involvement in the week full of festivities. 
“I would like the commissioners to have more of a presence. I have a couple of ideas of things you guys could do that are relatively simple and would benefit the community,” Brown said. 
She explained that before last year the commissioners hosted a fun night with different activities and contests for children. Last year, the commissioners made a shift to a movie night because fun night attendance was starting to dip. 
“Movie night was not well attended. I don’t think it was a bad idea. I just think it was not the right choice of movie,” Brown said. 
Brown reported that she has a lady in Spearfish who does “Messy Mania,” STEM (Science, technology, engineering and mathematics) stations for kids. She would bring 10 to 15 family-oriented and hands-on stations. 
“Another thing I have talked to people about is having a talent review or competition,” Brown said. “I would like to do one of these the same night as the farmers market since everyone is already here.” 
According to Brown, “Messy Mania” would cost about $700 for the day and she suggested that the commissioners could pay for the STEM activities and be present during the event. 
“I think it is something that would draw people down to the fair. The fair needs to be for everybody, not just 4-H kids,” Brown said. 
Commissioner Marty Ertman expressed support for the idea, although she said that the topic should be discussed with a full board of
commissioners. 
“The thing I have with this is commissioner involvement. I would like to see commissioners be a part of whatever,” Ertman said. 
Chairman Tony Barton said that with something like the STEM activities, the commissioners could be present and “roam around.” 
“It is a good idea, thinking outside of the box. I love to get my hands dirty with my kids,” Commissioner Nathan Todd said. 
Brown also suggested reinstituting “commissioners’ awards” for static exhibits and the commissioners’ cookie jar baking contest. 
“The commissioners’ cookie jar has been around forever. I found it in the 1948 fair book. It is a cool contest, and I think we can get more people to participate,” Brown said. 
According to Brown, people bake cookies for the commissioners to judge and then the cookie jars, full of cookies, can be auctioned off to help pay for the prizes. 
“I wanted to bring some ideas forward. I know we want to come up with something to do for the commissioners,” Brown said. “I just do not know if you were interested in something like this.” 
No decision was made by the commissioners on exactly what they will do for the 2019 Weston County Fair. The topic will be discussed again when all commissioners are present. 
“It is nice to see the expansion. There is some pretty cool stuff going on at the fairgrounds,” Ertman said. 
“I have heard nothing but good about what is going on down there (the fairgrounds). It is a refreshing change,” Barton added.