Yellowstone County board hears Montana Fair update; Metropark names new facilities director

The Yellowstone County Board on May 13, 2025 received a status report on Montana Fair operations and was introduced to the fairgrounds' new facilities director, Billy (Facilities Director, Metropark).

The update matters because the fair is under 100 days away and county and Metropark staff described several changes intended to shift the visitor experience, reduce operational overtime during the event and complete infrastructure needed for the season.

Tim (Metropark staff) introduced Billy and said Metropark “unanimously selected him with a lot of enthusiasm.” Billy told the board, “I got pretty good plans going forward, trying to get everything back on track,” and said he expects the facilities team “to be good” as the season approaches.

Metropark staff described several operational changes for this year’s Montana Fair. The county will relocate 4‑H club exhibits and many community fair displays (quilts, flowers, quilts and similar fine‑arts entries) into the Pavilion building at the fair entrance so visitors see those exhibits on arrival. Commercial vendors who previously occupied that space will be moved to the Small Bay; Cedar Hall will retain fine arts displays. Cody (Metropark marketing) said the change is intended so “when people come to Montana Fair that you're gonna be taking something away from the fair with you” rather than encountering mostly commercial trade booths.

Staff also said the expo building will be reset for animals to simplify overnight transitions around pig‑day and other livestock events. Metropark reported new irrigation work in the Heritage Park garden funded by a grant described to the board as coming from Big Sky Economic Development; staff said they planted eight fruit trees around the garden perimeter last Friday. Tree removal on site will be handled in part by staff using an on‑site wood chipper; some chipped wood will be used on grounds and some portions may be made available as firewood for staff.

On infrastructure, staff reported footings for new bleachers at the outdoor arena began being poured but said weather could interrupt the schedule: “Their plan was to pour all week, but I think it's gonna get interrupted because we've been watching the weather,” Tim said. Staff said they will meet Friday for a further status update.

On operations and revenue, Cody said most fair tickets and sponsorships are on sale; rodeo box seats were not on sale yet. He reported early sales for three headline shows: “The August 8 show of Flo Rida is just under a thousand sold,” Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias on Aug. 9 is “just under 2,000 tickets sold,” and Russell Dickerson is “just under 800 tickets sold.” Cody said advertising (billboards, magazine placements) has started and the larger push on social media, television and radio is scheduled to begin in May and June. He added Metropark was “getting right up against” its sponsorship goal and credited Darcy (staff) with much of the sponsorship work.

Staff also described the existing camping model: 4‑H coordinates and reserves camping spots during the fair and pays Metropark a lump sum at the end of the event; staff said Metropark uses the same model for many events to avoid managing individual vehicle permits.

No formal board action was taken on any of these items; the presentation was an informational update and staff said they will return with further details at a follow‑up meeting.

Board members thanked staff and welcomed Billy to his role; the meeting moved on after the update.