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Lincoln County Ag Society updates commissioners on fair, attendance dip and building plans
Summary
The Lincoln County Ag Society gave an update on the 2025 Lincoln County Fair, reporting lower 4‑H entries than last year, event scheduling, fundraising and a pending betterment grant tied to a proposed new building.
Representatives of the Lincoln County Ag Society updated the commissioners on plans and status for the 2025 Lincoln County Fair.
Amanda Carr, promotion secretary, and James VanArsdale, society president, told the board the fair would begin in about a week and reviewed the schedule: a 4‑H horse show and 5K on the 19th, 4‑H exhibits in the middle of the week, open class events, livestock shows Thursday–Friday, a concert Friday night and a ranch rodeo Saturday. The society said pig wrestling will not be held this year because volunteers and appropriate pigs were not available.
Carr told the board that overall fair enrollment (open-class and 4‑H combined) fell from about 400 entries last year to approximately 230 this year, with animal numbers down except for dairy goats, which increased. "I don't know. I know some of the animal numbers are down," Carr said, noting possible reasons including fewer places to keep animals and higher costs for show animals.
The Ag Society described off-season uses of the fairgrounds, including race-track events, demo derbies, weddings, and community classes. Carr said Centennial Hall has new floors and the Egg Building renovations are nearly complete. The society is working with the STEM program at Mid-Plains Community College and plans to apply for a betterment grant tied to classroom or building improvements; the society has raised private funds and reported a $500,000 grant commitment contingent on breaking ground by a deadline.
Board members asked about outreach to schools and 4‑H recruitment; Carr said promotion is done through the extension office and extension-supported 4‑H programs. Commissioners also discussed whether FFA programs should be more intentionally included in fair participation.
The society requested continued county support for fairground maintenance and for staff help as needed. No formal county action was recorded at the meeting; the briefing was informational.
