WAYNE – With just under four months until the 2023 Wayne County Fair takes over the fairgrounds, excitement was in the air on Monday with the demo of the old grandstand bleacher area in preparation for the new seating.
As Wayne County Fair Ag Society officials disassembled the bleacher boards and some prep last week, a crew from Wayne County started to break up the concrete and shave the dirt off the hill.
President of the Wayne County Ag Society, Doug Temme said work began Monday morning where brand new aluminum bleachers will be installed.
“The county guys were here and got them pulled out and started a little of the dirt work here,” said Temme. “The ground will be leveled off here and that’s where the new bleachers will go into.”
The trees were planted around 1975-76 but tree roots were starting to push underneath on the concrete even to the front of the grandstand.
Temme added there was also a safety precaution.
“If you come out here when we started working every summer to get ready for the fair you’d probably find a branch 3-4″ in diameter laying there in the seats,” Temme added. “Which most of us can carry a 3-4″ branch, but when it comes flying down out of the tree and you’re sitting there with your kids, that would not be a welcomed time there.”
This year’s Wayne County Fair is scheduled for July 27 – 30.
Wayne County ARPA funds will play a big role into the reason why this will provide an overall improvement for the main attractions in the grandstand area. Earlier this month, Wayne County Commissioners approved the two bids of $385,100 for bleachers as well as $10,800 for a new sidewalk.
Fair officials are still working on installing new LED lighting which will provide more light during the evening events.
Providing weather conditions, the crew from Wayne County will have everything torn out and leveled up this week. CBS Constructors out of McCook is the company building the bleachers which could arrive late April, early May.
An estimated seating would be 3,000 with roughly 24 handicap accessible seats. Handicap parking will be available right behind the new grandstand with an entrance in the middle of the bleachers along with two entrances on both sides. Also, the bottom rows will sit higher providing a great view no matter where you sit.
Also, with new handicap bathrooms being added a year ago, Wayne County Ag Society officials have completed a new kitchenette in the Wayne County Expo Center.
“So, if you’re having a function out there,” Temme mentioned. “You’ll have a spot where you can serve your food out of whether it’s a wedding, graduations or any other type of parity that you might be wanting to have out here.”
Presale Wayne County Fair season passes are available for $45 from April 1 – May 31. The price increases to $55 from June 1 – July 26 and then $60 during the fair.
“Every year we’ve tried to add something new and keep improving the fairgrounds here,” said Temme. “Making it a better place for everybody to come and visit and enjoy themselves. It’s a great place to come and meet new friends and get reacquainted with old friends.”
Visit thewaynecountyfair.com for complete schedule details and more information.
