 The city of Lincoln is feeling the pinch on a daily basis, as money
the city has always counted on is being cut or taken away, and money
that is due is coming in slowly. Logan County schools are also
suffering from state budget cuts and slow payments.
So, it should come as no surprise that the Logan County Fair is
also feeling the crunch of a cash-strapped state budget. Mike Maske,
secretary of the fair association board, recently talked about what
the fair board is doing to keep revenues coming in that support the
activities at the Logan County Fair.
"We go to a lot of fairs," Maske said. "And we hear a lot of
people talking about how bad it is getting. We decided, though, that
instead of talking about it, we were going to do something."
Maske explained that the fair board already has several tools for
bringing in revenues for the fair association, including non-fair
events, winter storage and auctions.
They open the fairgrounds to other agricultural events as well.
Now, they have added another tool, a fair foundation. The
foundation is set up so that folks can make tax-deductible
contributions to the fair.
Maske explained why this was done.
"If a business writes a check to the Logan County Fair
Association, they can write that off as a promotion expense. But if
an individual wants to give to the fair, there is no deduction for
them. With the foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, that
changes," he said.
Maske said the idea came to the fair board from a couple of its
members. The first thought behind the foundation was that funds
could be used to restore premiums paid to junior and open show
exhibitors to the figure prior to 2010.
In 2010, premiums for all exhibitors were cut by the state of
Illinois. For the 4-H classes, some of the 4-H parents and
supporters came together and donated funds to the local 4-H
associations so those premiums could be paid, but for the junior and
open show classes, the fair association had no choice but to cut the
payouts.
Maske explained what happened.
"In the 1970s, for every dollar paid out in premiums, the state
(through the Illinois Department of Agriculture) paid 66 and 2/3
cents, and the fair association paid out the other 33 and 1/3 cents.
Over the years that has reversed. Now the fair association has to
pay about 70 cents and the state pays 30," he said.
In 2010, there was a gap between what the fair association needed
to pay and what they were able to pay. So they had to cut back on
the premium amount.
The fair board is hoping that with the formation of the Logan
County Fair Foundation, they will be able to raise enough money to
restore those premiums to the amount they used to be.
In addition, new ideas have come up since then for how foundation
funds can be used.
"We do several things to help 4-H, and we want to continue doing
that," Maske said. "We want to have the funding to do upgrades on
the facilities they use, such as updating their show spaces or their
bathrooms."
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In addition, he said there were things that need done in the
livestock barns, such as right now there is a need for new gates in
the cattle barns.
"We'd like to see some of our exhibitors help with that need,"
Maske said.
Again, the foundation will allow them to make a donation to the
project.
"The money can go to the foundation, and then we can put it in
the fund for the new gates," Maske said.
Right now the fair is doing OK financially, he said, and the
board intends to keep it that way. In addition to what they do to
bring money into the association, they are also working to be more
efficient with what they have.
"We have cut back on labor and are relying more on volunteers,"
he said. "There are areas where you have to have good (paid) help,
such as the office, but we're using more volunteers in other areas."
Maske said the volunteers who help out each year are an
invaluable part of keeping the fair going. He named off several who
freely give of their own time and even their own equipment for
working in the show barns, conditioning the horse track or even just
using their own vehicle and gas to go around the county promoting
fair events.
In its 76th year, the annual Logan County Fair is something that
is planned for and looked forward to all year long. Within a month
after the fair ends, the board will be looking at and working toward
making it another successful event next year.
With all that is going on in the world today, the county fair is
more important than ever. It gives young people a chance to show
their 4-H projects and earn an opportunity to move on to a state
fair exhibit. It brings agriculture and urban life together, as many
who live in town can become more acquainted with what the American
farmer does.
It offers a wide variety of entertainment where folks can spend a
day or an evening as a family. And, it is a great social time when
friends and neighbors can get together for a grandstand event, or to
watch the queen contest or the talent show.
It also offers the public an opportunity to meet folks such as
the antique tractor club or the local police departments and D.A.R.E.
officers.
There are special days dedicated to kids and seniors. There is
the carnival with its wide variety of rides, and the midway food
vendors serve up typical "fair food" that is generally available
locally only during that one week of the year.
In total, it is hard to imagine a summer in Lincoln without the
Logan County Fair. Thanks to a conscientious fair board, we'll
probably never have to imagine differently anytime soon.
If you would be interested in making a donation to the Logan
County Fair Foundation, speak to a fair board member. Donations will
be gratefully accepted any time of the year.
[By NILA SMITH]
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