Wednesday, August 01, 2012
 
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Logan County Fair Association introduces newly formed fair foundation

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[August 01, 2012]  Everyone knows that the financial condition of the state of Illinois has had serious effects on a lot of local groups and organizations.

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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