The intrepid Sanders County Fair Board is quickly picking up steam. With mostly new membership and an acting manager, and with the help of experienced locals, they are pulling together contracts, agreements, sponsors, grounds maintenance, and all that’s needed to ensure another successful fair this year.

Randy Woods has been serving as acting fair manager. An offer was made to hire Melissa Cady-Petersen of Libby for the fair manager position. According to Jennifer Ekberg, Sanders County Board of Commissioners Executive Assistant, Cody-Petersen accepted the position. She will become fair manager Monday, May 6.

Paradise Amusements was again contracted to provide the carnival at the 2019 Sanders County Fair. This year, Thursday night will be “Family Night,” with all rides $1, and no wristbands required. This will include a food drive for local food banks.

The concessions contract was approved with the same details as last year.

Seasonal employees are being contacted to see if they wish to return to work the fair. They can be brought back on without new-hire paperwork.

Matt Jaramillo of Big Sky Networks was brought in last year to help solve problems with Internet connectivity and speed, and provided Internet service for vendors. The Fair Board voted to use Big Sky Networks for phone and Internet service this year, including increased Internet speed for four Months during fair season.

Julie Thurston, Sanders County Extension Agent, expressed concern that the 4-H barn needs work before the new paneling is added, so the paneling isn’t ruined. This was to be further discussed at the April 22 4-H meeting.

Woods was voted as Fair Board chair, and Jim Newman as vice chairman.