On Wednesday, Feb. 15 the Sanders County Fair Commission held their monthly meeting to discuss the last meeting, non-agenda items, old business, new business, and the current financial situation. Present for the meeting were; Fair Manager Dede Steinbach, Vice Chairman Jenny Garrison, Chairman Chris A. McGuigan, Wade Rehbein, Secretary Ruth Hamilton, Jim Newman. Roberta Smith was not present for the meeting.

At this time there has been only been one bid on doing work to the Home Economics building on the Sanders County Fairgrounds. The foundation near the banquet room is starting to crumble. It was discussed on if the size of the building had to remain the same and the requirement of notifying other individuals downstream, as they are on the same flood plain. There was also mention of looking into the building possibly qualifying for some assistance due to the age of the building and if it meets guidelines for historical status. An email will be sent to County Commissioner Carol Brooker to learn more about historical status guidelines.

Jim Newman stated, “We need to look into doing more signage to let people know that there is camping available here at the fairgrounds during the summer. The electronic sign that bank has for us okay if you time it right when you go by there. Maybe we need to have a huge banner hanging there or put up posters in local businesses.” The issue was not resolved or voted on and was tabled for future meetings.

A late spring project that was briefly discussed was the roof over the bucking chutes being completed to keep the rain from reaching the cowboys walking below or anyone opening the bucking chute gates.

Ron Warren of the Plains Lions Club spoke about the Demolition Derby event. “We are needing to raise $13,500 from it, which is $4,500 more than last year. We made $9,000 in 2016. We can go as low as $5,000 from the event if we need to. With the Calcutta last year we did make $4,000 off of it. There were some concerns that three people had bid on one car and when it was eliminated in the Calcutta heat we were very relieved. We did have three people approach us about the winning car and were concerned that they each had all bid on it. We lucked out, as they had pooled their money on that one bid and won the car.”

Rehbein discussed how he would like to have other sponsors help with the cost of the Demolition Derby. “I would like to have other local sponsors fund the derby with me if possible. I am not sure if it can be just a few sponsors or something like 50 sponsors who will be donating the money.” No motion was made and the issue was tabled for discussion and a vote in future meetings.

The new rules for demolition cars have impacted the number of drivers and cars entered into the event. Ron Warren stated, “We did have to turn away several drivers in 2015 because the cars did not meet the rules. We lucked out last year and one driver did bring 9 cars here and we paid him $1,000. All of the drivers last year were very happy with the way things turned out.” Rehbein, McGuigan, and Warren discussed if the derby was slowly dying and if it would need to be changed or replaced.

The issue of dogs on the fairgrounds and midway was discussed. Newman stated, “I think we either need to either enforce no dogs or allow them. Some vendors do have their dogs in their RVs or motor homes and it could become a problem. Rehbein and McGuigan suggested changing the wording that no dogs are allowed on the fairgrounds. No motion was made and this issue was tabled for future meetings.

The Sanders County Concessions group was discussed and if they will be returning under the same contract as last year or if there will be an increase in the amount they receive. It was mentioned that 20 or 30 percent of the net is being considered. Newman suggested that there be a set percentage of the gross total. This was another issued that was tabled for future meetings.

Vendor prices for spaces was discussed and if this fair is charging higher or lower than the fairs in Missoula and Kalispell. McGuigan went online to see the vendor’s rates for both fairs. Steinbach mentioned that it may be good to do an increase in the spaces for vendors. It was discussed that a slight incremental increase for vendor’s spaces could happen this year. That increase could be approximately $10 more. The issue was tabled for more discussion in future meetings.

There was discussion that there are some concession booths and vendors who close their booths early. McGuigan stated, “We don’t have the same work ethic as we had 20 years ago. It seems that no one wants to work the fair and give up their weekend. It is hard work. That one weekend puts between 4-7 million dollars into this county.”

The fair commission discussed possibly changing the meeting to another day of the week. Friday was ruled out because of sports events. Monday was ruled out, as it is the same night the Plains School Board has a meeting. A motion was made and passed that the Sanders County Fair Commission will meet on the third Wednesday of every month except December in the pavilion at 7:00 p.m. The next Sanders county Fair Commission meeting will be held on March 15, 2017.

Reporter Douglas Wilks can be reached at dwilks@vp-mi.com or 406-826-3402.