HAMILTON — The Butler County Agricultural Society is planning a $1.7 million facility that will expand events at the county fairgrounds.
The Butler County Fair, which starts Sunday, will kick off the fundraising efforts for the new building that will replace the current two buildings that house arts hall and county fair board offices, said Dan Martin, Butler County Fair secretary manager.
About $1 million — which $800,000 is secured via a loan — is currently available for the projected $1.7 million, 30,000-square-foot steel building. Fundraising efforts will generate the remainder of the funds, Martin said. Once the two 100-year-old buildings are razed, which will be after Aug. 15, construction can start, he said. The goal is to finish by spring.
The new building will incorporate a 400-seat banquet facility, new county fair board offices, space for art exhibits and shows, and an opportunity for the fair to be expanded. Martin said new categories — such as a chili cook off, barbecue competition or wine competition — are being considered.
The building will also provide an additional revenue source by renting out the banquet hall for events, Martin said.
Helping in the fundraising efforts is Hamiton-based Community Development Professionals.
“We have put together a comprehensive strategy that involves a couple different aspects,” said Sheri Lawson, Community Development Professionals director of special projects. “I think there’s a lot of people that went there through their 4-H clubs, or just go to the fair every year, that want to help.”
In addition to accepting donations, fundraising efforts include selling brick pavers and wall plaques, a dunking booth at this year’s fair, and selling naming rights.
“For $500,000, we’ll put your name on the building,” Lawson said.
Another fundraising opportunity will be on Oct. 8 with the Butler County Fairgrounds Fall Festival, which Martin said could become an annual event.
Until the building is completed, the Butler County Fair Board will operate out of the junior fair board building.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 or mpitman@coxohio.com. Follow at twitter.com/mdpitman.
Fundraising opportunities
There are a number of ways to help the Butler County Agricultural Society
raise money to fund the new fairgrounds building.
Naming rights to the building for $500,000.
Brick pavers for $50 or wall plaques that start at $100.
The Building for the Future Campaign will have a dunking booth at this
year’s fair. It’s $1 for three balls (winners receive a Dunkin’ Donuts gift
certificate for a free coffee or doughnut.
Butler County Fairgrounds Fall Festival on Oct. 8.
For information or to donate, call (513) 858-1738 or visit the dunking
booth during the fair.
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