Broadwater County Fair Board foregoes Wednesday concert, accepts resignation; sponsors and vouchers to support family activities

The Broadwater County Fair Board voted to forego a Wednesday-night concert at this year’s fair and accepted a board resignation, and members discussed sponsors, a proposed vendor voucher program and the fairbook production schedule.

Why it matters: The board’s decision to drop the ticketed concert reduces near-term entertainment costs and frees sponsor benefits to be redeployed for family-focused activities. The resignation starts a public-notice appointment process that will leave the seat vacant until the county’s selection timeline is complete.

At the meeting the board formally moved and seconded to accept the resignation of Lauren Reiser; the motion was carried by voice vote. The board also moved and seconded to forego the Wednesday concert this year; that motion likewise carried on a voice vote. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally or named aye/no votes for either motion.

Board members led a broader discussion about how to use sponsor funds if the concert is not held. Members proposed keeping sponsorship solicitation on schedule and offering alternate perks to sponsors, such as logos in the fairbook and a voucher system for attendees. One idea, informally called "Howdy Bucks," would be $5 vouchers distributed to visitors and redeemable with on-site vendors; the board discussed a no-cash-back policy so vendors would accept full voucher value without returning change. Board members said they would contact vendors to confirm whether they would accept vouchers and how to reconcile vouchers at the close of each day.

Fairbook and schedule: The board set a target to have the printed fairbook ready by May 9, 2025, and confirmed that online entries will open May 15. Sponsor letters are expected to be sent in April with a requested return date close to April 25 to allow printing and scheduling.

Appointment process: The board read a resignation letter from Lauren Reiser (dated Feb. 11, 2025) and formally accepted it. The board said a public legal notice will run for 30 days; one letter of interest from Denise Thompson has been received and will be reviewed at the board’s April meeting before the board forwards a recommendation to the County Commissioners. The board noted the timing means a replacement would likely not appear on the commissioners’ agenda until late April or May.

Logistics and sponsorship follow-up: Members discussed sponsor benefit options if the concert is cancelled (for example, VIP tent signage and public announcements) and suggested reallocating some concert funds to youth-focused activities such as bounce houses, a pie contest, craft demonstrations or grants to 4‑H or FFA projects. Several members volunteered to coordinate sponsor outreach and to prepare an editable sign-up list and sponsor letter for distribution by email.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to accept resignation of Lauren Reiser (resignation dated Feb. 11, 2025): moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified in record). Referenced documents: resignation letter; 30-day legal notice for appointment. - Motion to forego Wednesday concert at the fair this year: moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified in record). Notes: board discussed potential artist offers (one band had quoted $4,000 in writing; the board referenced a prior band payment of about $1,500 for a smaller act). The board instructed staff to reallocate budget lines as appropriate when preparing the 2025–26 budget.

Next steps and schedule: The board asked staff to draft updated sponsor letters and a shared assignment list for outreach, and to include revised sponsor benefit language reflecting alternatives to a concert. The board will review letters of interest for the vacant seat at its April meeting.

Ending: The board scheduled a joint meeting with the rodeo organizers April 7 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall and set its next regular meeting for April 10 at 5:15 p.m.