Fair board holds September meeting

The Hardin County Agricultural Society met Wednesday, August 27, 2025, for their September monthly board meeting. 20 Directors and 7 guests were present.

Jake McFadden, Board President, called the meeting to order.

Correspondence was read from the Miesse Family and a letter from Diamond M was read detailing who was responsible for each department during the fair.

Bryden Castle, representing the JR Fair Board, submitted a check for $1000 to the SR Fair Board to help offset the cost of ribbons and trophies. Sherri Beale, JR Fair Board Advisor, stated the JR Fair Board will hold 9pm nightly meetings during the fair. SR Fair Board is encouraged to attend if able.

At the latest Executive Committee meeting, discussion was held about a JR Fair Board member that was let go. Everyone from the SR Fair Board supported the JR Fair Board’s decision on the dismissal of the member.

Jake McFadden stated they have started soil boring for the 1st phase of the new buildings. Four quotes have been received for civil engineering and surveying of the project. Directors agreed to go with the proposal from Harral & Stevenson. $6,400 for the topographic survey and $28,500 for civil engineering for a total of $34,900.

Rob Wilson, Ground’s committee chairman, gave the Ground’s Committee report. The gazebo has been finished, the machinery building changeover has been completed, a new hot water tank was replaced in the Grange/Salsita’s Restaurants, and the floors in the beef and arts/crafts restrooms have been redone. The fair also received an $8,000 grant from Farm Credit of America to go towards the building of the gazebo. The grounds were sprayed today and the barns will be sprayed tomorrow. The county has patched some spots on the grounds roads and added some stone to the harness racing track. Ronnie’s Line Striping did some striping for handicap spots. Fair tent set up is tomorrow – August 28th and tents will come back down on Monday, Sept. 8th. The Arts/Crafts Bldg. will be put back together after the fair on Monday, Sept. 15th at 6pm. Winter storage begins Oct. 1st and runs through the 2nd Saturday in April. Rates continue to be the same as last year. Vehicles are $30 per month. Boats, trailers, campers, etc. are $15 per linear foot. First come first serve – no reserving.

Charlie McCullough, Camping Chairman, stated the new numbering signs will be placed in the East camping area tomorrow morning. The electric in the West Camping is being upgraded this week. There are currently 2 primitive campers. Fair campers can pick up their wristbands and hangtags during Fair office hours and campers need to be in place by Monday, Sept. 1st. Remember that fair campers can not move out until after 7pm on Sunday of the fair, or they lose their camping spot.

Tickets for the Diamond Rio and Confederate Railroad Fair Concert continue to be available for purchase by going to the fair’s website at www.hardincountyfair.org. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $35 for the party pit section. Rob stated there will be help needed in putting up the stage Saturday, for the concert on Saturday night.

Judi noted there are copies of individual sections of species from the fair book available for pick up in the secretary office. Otherwise you are to read your section on line. The preliminary livestock sale exhibitors is now available on the Fair’s website. The Annual Sale Committee Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 22nd at 7pm.

There are several new concessions and vendors coming to the fair this year. All indoor and outdoor spots are taken for this year’s fair. There are 27 vendors in the Community Building, 61 vendors in the Machinery Building, 31 outside vendors and 64 food vendors.

There are still copies of the 2025 open class Hardin County Fair Book available in the office. The full version, including JR Fair, is available on the fair’s website.

Under old business:

It was noted the digital sign at the front of the fairgrounds can not be updated at this time. Directors agreed to approve the Emergency Management Meeting minutes. The Prince and Princess contest sold 3,236 tickets for a grand total of $16,180. Winners of the contest are Michael Ralston selling 800 tickets and Liza Ruhlen selling 330 tickets. Open class entry tags can be picked up starting this Friday, August 29th from 9-5pm, Saturday, August 30th from 9-5pm, Sunday August 31st from 12-5pm and Monday, Sept. 1st from 9-Spm. Starting this Friday, August 29th – season ticket prices are $35, which can still be purchased in the fair office, online, and at the gates during the fair. On ground parking permits will also be available for purchase at the gates during the fair.

Under new business:

Judi gave a report on September and October rentals at the fairgrounds. Directors agreed to have one steer butchered from the livestock sale for the staff. They also agreed to have any champion hogs that are not being reclaimed by their owners, to be butchered and donated to food non profit organizations. Fair office hours during the week of the fair are 9-5pm, except on Sunday which is 12-5pm. Petitions for the November Fair Board Director Election are due by Friday, Oct. 24th at 4pm. Up for election this year are 2 director at large positions for a 3 year term, 1 director at large position for a 2 year term, Pleasant Twp., Liberty Twp., Jackson Twp., Hale Twp., Buck Twp., for 3 year terms. Petitions need to be picked up by Friday, Oct. 17th, one week before the petition needs to be turned back in. Reminder, if you are a new candidate running for a position, you need to attend the Oct. Board Meeting to state your intentions for running for a position. $2 membership tickets can be purchased after a season ticket is purchased until Wednesday, Oct. 15th and that will give you availability to vote for directors. JR Fair & Open class premium money can be picked up in cash form at the Grandstand ticket booth on Saturday of the fair from 1-4pm. If you don’t pick up your money on this day, you can still pick up your premium money in the Secretary’s office on Wednesday and Fridays 9-4pm until Friday, November 21st. Other possible dates to pick your money is Saturday, Oct. 4th from 9-12, which is also the first day livestock exhibitors can pick up their sale checks. Another date to pick up money is Saturday, Nov. 1st from 3-Spm, during the Fair Board annual election. The end of year wrap up meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 17th at 6pm in the Fair Office. So far, the Hardin County Ag. Society has given away 36 concert tickets, 680 day passes for entertainment at the gazebo and shelterhouse, 107 season tickets for media, honorary directors, elected county officials, county & city garage workers and auctioneers for the livestock sale, and 88 day passes for judges, opening ceremony attendees, harness racing workers, ticket booth workers and pit workers. This is a total of $10,890. There have also been 118 on ground parking permits given away, for a total of $1,770. The next monthly fair board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 1st at 7pm in the fair office.