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 According to information from Carissa Akpore, those
who volunteered or donated to the project included Monsanto, Farm
Credit Illinois, Logan County Fair Foundation, 4 Corners 4-H
Clovers, Mike and Lori Word, State Bank of Lincoln, Topper 4-H Club,
Hollanders 4-H Club, Lula & Lace-Esther Farmer, Naughton Auction
Service, Central IL Feed & Supply and Croft Fertilizer.
Thursday evening some of those involved gathered at the show barn,
joined by Logan County Fair Board members to do a walk about and
talk about the work that was done.
According to Cole Baker, who was part of the project, volunteers
began on Friday morning, continued their work on Saturday, and
wrapped up on Sunday evening.
The biggest chore they accomplished was possibly the removal of all
the wood shavings on the floor of the barn, and the spreading of new
crushed limestone and wood shavings. Baker said they had learned
that it had been decades since the existing wood shavings and lime
were completely removed. Each year before the fair, new wood
shavings are spread lightly on top of what exists, but taking it all
out and starting fresh doesn’t happen all that often.
To complete that part of the project, the volunteers secured and
spread 55 tons of limestone and topped it off with 315 bags of wood
shavings.
The bleachers where parents and grandparents excitedly sit and
watched the kids show their animals also got some attention. Baker
said the bleachers were tipped out and fresh wood bark mulch was
laid underneath and new limestone was laid in the walkways.
The interior walls of the building were peeling and dirty, so the
group set to painting all the block walls inside the building along
with the baseboards where the cattle panels and other fencing is set
up to separate animals from audience.
Baker said that Ace Hardware in Lincoln had helped out by connecting
the group with Valspar Paints. Valspar in turn donated ten gallons
of white paint for the project. Baker said that was more than the
group had asked for, and more than was needed for the interior work
planned.
So, the group expanded their work project to include
painting the exterior block walls on the north side of the building
and cleaning up the entrance on that side that is where the swine
show participants exit their animals after showing, and also where
the business office is located for the livestock shows.
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Baker said new wood shavings and limestone was added
to the sheep show barn as well.
On hand on Thursday evening from the Logan County Fair Board were
President Dean Bruns, along with Vice-President Kevin Kurtz, and
Board Secretary Mike Maske. Herman Schwantz is also on the Fair
Board, as well as being an active member of the Heartland Beef
Association, and a fully involved 4-H parent. On this evening he was
present as one of the volunteers who did the make-over of the barn.
As the group gathered for a picture, Maske and the others took the
opportunity to speak to the volunteers and express appreciation for
their hard work.
Maske talked about the many visitors who come to the Logan County
Fair and those who claim ownership of the fair and the fairgrounds.
He noted their value, but said that the real value came in those who
are the “care takers.” He said he was addressing this group as care
takers who invest their time and efforts into the fair and the
fairgrounds each year. He said they were valuable to the fair and to
the community.
Maske went on to talk about the success of the Logan County Fair,
and how our fair and fairgrounds are one of, if not the nicest and
cleanest fairs in the state. He said that while the visitors, and
sometimes even those who claim ownership, are the ones who will drop
their trash on the ground fair week, it is the care takers who will
walk by and stop and pick it up, because they care and want our fair
to be the cleanest and nicest in the state.
It was also mentioned that having the building kept in good order is
particularly important when the fairground is located right in town.
Many people live around the fairground, thousands drive past it, and
the impression left with those folks needs to be a positive one.
Maske concluded saying that the Logan County Fair is strong and
successful, and it will be for years to come. He said that he wanted
to see the Logan County Fair and the fairgrounds in place for future
generations so that those there on Thursday would be able to enjoy
seeing their grandchildren participate in fair events.
Kurtz also spoke, talking about the financial benefit of the work
that had been done. He noted that like many other entities within
Logan County, the fair has been negatively impacted by the State of
Illinois financial woes and budget crisis. He said that dollars the
fair should have received were not, and the likelihood that the
money will ever be recovered from the past is next to none. He said
that the fair and the fairground needs people like this group who
give, and give time and again, and he wanted them to know that it is
greatly appreciated and never goes unnoticed.
Bruns was the last to speak, “How great is it that everyone helps!”
Bruns went on to say that the fair cannot keep on going without the
people who invest their time and volunteer to do anything that is
needed. Bruns talked about when he was younger, when someone would
say something needed done at the fairgrounds, he would gather up
people and materials and get it done. He said that the volunteers
had a heart for the fair, and that people love to come because it is
such a great fair, and it is thanks to the people who work to keep
it nice. He ended saying, “Thank you all…and keep paintin’!”
Maske and Kurtz also had additional comments after the photo. The
men talked about the work that is being done by the fair board.
Painting is going to be done in the exhibit barns behind the
grandstand. Some new asphalt has been added, and of course, the new
shower house and restrooms were constructed last year by the
livestock barns. Much of what the fair board is able to accomplish
comes from funds earned through the Logan County Fair Foundation.
Maske told the group that every year, the board spends that money
for fairground improvements. He said he wanted everyone to know
their donations to the foundation are not sitting in a bank account;
the money is being put to work, to make our Logan County Fairgrounds
a well-kept facility.
Those on hand Thursday evening included Cole Baker, Marcia Bregar,
Keri Anne Short, Marc Short, Marcia Short, Melissa Short and Herman
Schwantz. Other volunteers not available for the evening included
Dan, Amy, and Reed Naughton, Bruce Davis and Carissa Akpore.
The 81st Annual Logan County Fair opens on Sunday, July 30th with
the Downstate Classic Harness Racing and will run through Sunday,
August 6th.
[Nila Smith] |
