Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Events topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Central Kansas Free Fair board outlines 2026 budget, plans beef-barn and restroom projects; requests continued county support
Summary
Central Community Free Fair board told commissioners it expects a similar county allocation for 2026 while pursuing multi-year capital projects including beef-barn expansion and restroom/wash-rack upgrades funded partly by grants and fundraising.
Kylie Yee, a member of the Central Community Free Fair Board, presented the fair’s 2026 budget to the Dickinson County Commission on Tuesday and described a multiyear capital plan that includes an expansion of beef barns and a restroom/wash-rack project to improve handicap access.
Yee told commissioners the fair’s operating budget relies heavily on beer-sales revenue and weekend rentals; she said net revenue showed a loss on this year’s packet but described the deficit as “the norm” for nonprofit fair operations.
“Everything else kind of slowed,” Yee said of some revenue lines, and added that ticket sales increased after the addition of a new lumberhouse lot on the north end of the arena. She described the restroom and wash-rack project as a two-to-three year undertaking and said board members are pursuing grants from local foundations and a Kansas City–area group experienced in rural accessibility projects.
The board completed a beef barn replacement last year and plans additional stall and utility upgrades. Yee said volunteers and local fundraising remain critical: the fair board has “12 at least” members and relies on volunteer labor and grants to keep facilities updated.
Commissioners asked about the fair’s sustainability after the packet showed a net revenue loss; Yee replied the board balances grant funding, rental income and volunteer work and had recently increased rental rates to better align with other venues. She also described emergency-planning improvements after weather disrupted last year’s event and said fair organizers met with emergency crews and formed a subcommittee to develop an action plan.
The fair’s kickoff is scheduled for July 29 and runs through Aug. 3, Yee said. The commission did not act on the fair budget at the meeting; Yee said the board plans continued grant applications and outreach to county leaders.
