The Phelps County Fairgrounds has a new barn, but it hasn’t been easy.
The sturdy new barn was completed just two days before the fair begins Wednesday. Along the way, construction was hindered by the theft of lumber and vandalism.
“The old barns came down in mid-April and about the First of May we started on the new barn,” said Paul Hance, Fair Board member and chairman of the Barn Committee.
“We had our challenges with the theft of lumber, but we got it done — just this Monday,” Hance said as board members gathered for a photograph.
The 60-by-120-foot barn, which cost $36,000, will be used for cattle. Two other barns will be used for swine, goats and chickens.
The new barn will is the shining star for the fair. It’s clean with good lighting and lots of mulch and the balance due on the new facility is $4,000.
“More than anything it’s a safer building for the children to show their animals,” said Fair Board President Renae Hammon. “We did an assessment of the barn, and the wiring was just too old. The earth was built up around it so it’ll drain better, the location is more convenient with the reconstructed road, it has sectioned-off areas . . . It’s just better for the children. Just the whole nine yards, it’s better,” Hammon said.
An estimated 100 child exhibitors and the thousands who tour the facility will benefit from the new barn.
“4-H and the FFA (Future Farmers of America) children will benefit,” Hammon said, confirming that number with Hance.
Completing the barn has been a test of perseverance.
On July 4, $3,000 worth of lumber at the site was stolen. On another occasion, an estimated $14,900 in vandalism occurred.
“We were just devastated,” Hammon said. “The cattle washer was destroyed. Hydrants were backed into. It was just a mess,” Hammon said.
With the aid of the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, a suspect has been apprehended and things are looking brighter as the fair approaches.
“The suspect does not have insurance, so we can’t do anything there, but we’re hoping to get restitution,” Hammon said. “The fair begins this week, and we’re getting ready,” Hammon said before heading off to a meeting.
Fair gates open at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
Among the events scheduled Wednesday include the Fair Queen and Princess Pageant at 5:30 p.m., kids games, rides begin and the beer and wine garden open at 5 p.m. At 7 p.m., the NFPB Bull Rider competition begins in the grandstand area.
On Thursday, at 5 p.m. are the Teresi Dyno-drags, at 6 p.m. is the Amateur Talent Contest and more bull riding.
On Friday, beginning at 8 a.m. the judging of the sheep and swine begins. At 5 p.m. the carnival rides start and at 6:30 is the always-popular livestock sale. At 8 p.m., the truck and tractor pull commences in the grandstand.
At 9 a.m. Saturday, the Little Mr. & Mrs. Phelps County Pageant begins, Kids Games begin at 11 a.m., at 1 p.m. the Chainsaw and Sawing Contest begin, at 4 p.m. the Parent/Child Look-alike Contest begins and at 8 p.m. the big draw of the Demolition Derby gets under way.
Tickets for the fair are $15 for a daily adult pass. Season tickets, if purchased before Wednesday, are $25, $30 if purchased Wednesday at the Fair Gate.
Children’s (6 to 10) daily tickets are $10 and children younger than 6 are free.
Season tickets in Rolla are available at Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce, Bank of America, Country Mart, Dave’s Barber Shop, Central Federal Savings & Loan, Citizens Bank of Newburg, Kroger, Phelps County Bank, Rolla Farmer’s Exchange, The Family Center and Town & Country Bank.
In St. James, passes are available at the Country Mart, Phelps County Bank, Town & Country Bank and the St. James Visitor Center.
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The Phelps County Fairgrounds has a new barn, but it hasn’t been easy.
The sturdy new barn was completed just two days before the fair begins Wednesday. Along the way, construction was hindered by the theft of lumber and vandalism.
“The old barns came down in mid-April and about the First of May we started on the new barn,” said Paul Hance, Fair Board member and chairman of the Barn Committee.
“We had our challenges with the theft of lumber, but we got it done — just this Monday,” Hance said as board members gathered for a photograph.
The 60-by-120-foot barn, which cost $36,000, will be used for cattle. Two other barns will be used for swine, goats and chickens.
The new barn will is the shining star for the fair. It’s clean with good lighting and lots of mulch and the balance due on the new facility is $4,000.
“More than anything it’s a safer building for the children to show their animals,” said Fair Board President Renae Hammon. “We did an assessment of the barn, and the wiring was just too old. The earth was built up around it so it’ll drain better, the location is more convenient with the reconstructed road, it has sectioned-off areas . . . It’s just better for the children. Just the whole nine yards, it’s better,” Hammon said.
An estimated 100 child exhibitors and the thousands who tour the facility will benefit from the new barn.
“4-H and the FFA (Future Farmers of America) children will benefit,” Hammon said, confirming that number with Hance.
Completing the barn has been a test of perseverance.
On July 4, $3,000 worth of lumber at the site was stolen. On another occasion, an estimated $14,900 in vandalism occurred.
“We were just devastated,” Hammon said. “The cattle washer was destroyed. Hydrants were backed into. It was just a mess,” Hammon said.
With the aid of the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, a suspect has been apprehended and things are looking brighter as the fair approaches.
“The suspect does not have insurance, so we can’t do anything there, but we’re hoping to get restitution,” Hammon said. “The fair begins this week, and we’re getting ready,” Hammon said before heading off to a meeting.
Fair gates open at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
Among the events scheduled Wednesday include the Fair Queen and Princess Pageant at 5:30 p.m., kids games, rides begin and the beer and wine garden open at 5 p.m. At 7 p.m., the NFPB Bull Rider competition begins in the grandstand area.
On Thursday, at 5 p.m. are the Teresi Dyno-drags, at 6 p.m. is the Amateur Talent Contest and more bull riding.
On Friday, beginning at 8 a.m. the judging of the sheep and swine begins. At 5 p.m. the carnival rides start and at 6:30 is the always-popular livestock sale. At 8 p.m., the truck and tractor pull commences in the grandstand.
At 9 a.m. Saturday, the Little Mr. & Mrs. Phelps County Pageant begins, Kids Games begin at 11 a.m., at 1 p.m. the Chainsaw and Sawing Contest begin, at 4 p.m. the Parent/Child Look-alike Contest begins and at 8 p.m. the big draw of the Demolition Derby gets under way.
Tickets for the fair are $15 for a daily adult pass. Season tickets, if purchased before Wednesday, are $25, $30 if purchased Wednesday at the Fair Gate.
Children’s (6 to 10) daily tickets are $10 and children younger than 6 are free.
Season tickets in Rolla are available at Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce, Bank of America, Country Mart, Dave’s Barber Shop, Central Federal Savings & Loan, Citizens Bank of Newburg, Kroger, Phelps County Bank, Rolla Farmer’s Exchange, The Family Center and Town & Country Bank.
In St. James, passes are available at the Country Mart, Phelps County Bank, Town & Country Bank and the St. James Visitor Center.
