Lincoln County Fair and County Commons

Our Fair Board resigned as a group in early 2009. I accepted appointment to a reorganized Fair Board and have worked steadily for a decade to find a sustainable path to redevelop the Fairgrounds property, which we have since renamed the Lincoln County Commons. The new name is designed to recognize that while the fair is a primary tenant at the site, the facility has to be attractive to many tenants throughout the year in order to be economically viable.

The master plan we’ve approved calls for construction of a new barn, covering the existing outdoor arena to make it usable for more events and in more varied weather conditions, and converting the thrift store building to a new location for 4-H. We’ll also replace the existing 15,000 -square foot exhibition hall with a modern building of similar size. The estimated $9.3 million cost of this project will be paid for with funds we’ve already set aside and future room tax revenues.

The new grounds will provide a home for years to come for the fair, 4-H activities throughout the year, the winter farmers’ market, sportsmen’s shows, gem and mineral shows, RV and car shows, conferences, concerts—community events of all kind