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Central Kansas Free Fair asks Dickinson County to keep $75,000 appropriation for 2026
Summary
Central Kansas Free Fair Treasurer Kylie Lee told the commission the fair’s revenues and donations have risen but the board still requests $75,000 from the county for 2026 to support ongoing capital and operating costs; commissioners discussed whether future subsidies could be reduced as the fair increases self-generated income.
Kylie Lee, treasurer for the Central Kansas Free Fair Board, asked Dickinson County commissioners to maintain the board’s 2026 appropriation at $75,000, saying ticket and donation revenue has increased and that capital work (barn construction, kitchen upgrades) is being supported by donors.
Lee highlighted new revenue sources — online ticket sales and a beer-garden expansion that provides income directly to the fair board — and said the board hopes to become self-sustaining over time. She also described an upcoming Stockyard Social fundraiser scheduled for Nov. 14 to raise money for ground renovations and stove replacements; she said the board had quotes from Sunflower Restaurant Supply in Salina for new stoves.
Commissioners asked how the board’s makeup is determined and whether growing earned revenue could allow a future reduction in county subsidy. One commissioner noted the fair’s operations now generate revenue but suggested the commission might consider reducing funding after capital expenses are complete. The board emphasized that weather-related fluctuations and one-time capital costs make it difficult to eliminate county support immediately.
What happens next: Commissioners will consider the budget request as part of the county’s broader budgeting process for the fiscal year.
