Wabaunsee County Fair Association Improvement Fund

Goal: $15,000.00

Specific Need

The Wabaunsee County Fair Association Improvement Fund was established to continue ongoing maintenance, repairs and improvements to the fairgrounds. These may include updates to current facilities as well as additions of new buildings and/or facilities.

In 2026 and 2027, we are looking at both accessibility and drainage as major points of focus as well as long term sustainability. The beef barn was converted to concrete for fair 2026, allowing for a drier and cleaner space year around. We hope to showcase the rabbit/poultry barn as a concreted space by fair of 2027 as accessible to all! We are also respectfully excited to announce the promotion of our endowment fund. The endowment is designed for legacy gifts to sustainably protect the grounds for perpetuity. Please reach out to us if you are interested in more information on endowment.

Mission

The purpose of the Wabaunsee County Fair Association is to host an annual agricultural based fair for the residents of Wabaunsee County. In addition, the facilities are used year around for a variety of youth, public, and private activities.

Profile

The Wabaunsee County Fairgrounds continue to undergo a beautiful transformation! Since 2019, the renovation project has touched 8 buildings and has revitalized the fairgrounds into an important community epicenter for Wabaunsee County. Thank you to our donors and volunteers for making everything the Fair Association does possible. The grounds host new and returning events every year, with the facility expanding the events and their community engagement potential. An impact study completed a year ago reminds us that upwards of 15,000 people visit our facilities on an annual basis!

2025 was another hugely successful step forward in Fair history. Through a partnership with Community Care Ministries, the fairgrounds grew and gained new static exhibit space- providing much needed relief to our crowded exhibits. The renovation of the grounds has rapidly increased the number of entries into the county fair, encouraging us to look to new opportunities to display exhibits rather than limit them. “Fair Hall” hosted static exhibits as well as a working space for Extension at the 2025 fair. The space has received a new parking area, renovated floor and LED lighting, as well as a new door since last fair. Thanks to your support, the Fair Association also expanded its emergency asset protection fund, allowing for future maintenance to be completed without the need for immediate fundraising or negative impacts on the County Fair.

We are again seeking sponsors in the form of our “Clover Brands”. Sponsorship of a Clover helps with fairground improvement and maintenance, directly funds a portion of the fair, and awards 4-H seniors a scholarship to celebrate their efforts with the fair. Clovers are annually renewed and are recognized in KanEquip Arena with a name plate and a personalized message in the next fair book. We also continue to seek sign sponsors for our Arenas as well as a building sponsor for “Fair Hall”.

Wabaunsee County Fair Association

Mary Reed Spencer, President 785-410-7162

Jenny Howe, Brenda Meseke, Lisa Graham, Dean Imthurn, Travis Poovey, John TenEyck, Megan Breiner, Mike Mikos, Jacob Pletcher, Arturo Pacheco, Kelsey Stamm, Jason Evans, Adam Lukert, Spencer Jones, Tyler Cowan, Danny Davis, Tate Castillo