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Dodge County Fair Looking For More Funding
By Pat Hahn for the Daily Times
February 7, 2003
BEAVER DAM - Dodge County Fair Association stockholders Saturday agreed to explore the possibility of establishing a foundation to provide additional financial support for the fairgrounds.
During the annual stockholders meeting at Beaver Dam, Fair Association President Jim Schoenike said significant improvements have recently been made to fairgrounds in surrounding areas, including Jefferson and Washington counties. He noted Dodge County's fairgrounds also needs a way to fund projects too costly for the annual budget.
"You all know we have some needs," Schoenike stated. However, in light of current economic conditions and state and county budgetary constraints, he said there's little likelihood of obtaining additional monetary support from those sources.
As a way of obtaining the necessary funding, Schoenike suggested establishing a foundation aimed at raising funds to pay for expensive projects which can't be financed in the annual operating budget. "It's very much in the concept stage," he said. He suggested forming a committee, perhaps including several fair board members as well as others from the general public, to investigate the possibility.
Fair board member Steve Hannan indicated a 5013C foundation would be a separate legal entity, with contributions tax deductible. "It would be geared to accept money from the smallest of the small to the largest of the large," he said, adding there have been some offers of people willing to make contributions.
Schoenike listed rest room improvements and land procurement as potential priorities for any funds which are raised. "Our rest rooms have been severely tested in the past, and we need room to expand beyond our present 60 acres," he said. He estimated rest room updates would cost in the neighborhood of $250,000, adding, "There's no way we can afford that without some type of financial assistance."
"We need to educate the general public," board member Dale Norenberg suggested, commenting the majority of people erroneously believe Dodge County provides most of the fairgrounds' funding. Instead, the fair association operates the fairgrounds, with limited contributions from the county.
The fairgrounds land is currently zoned agricultural, with the fairgrounds a legal nonconforming use. Some suggested pursuing rezoning the land to facilitate future growth. "It would be ideal for the county to give us a special classification," Hannan stated.
The 2003 Dodge County Fair is scheduled for Aug. 13-17, and Schoenike said the board is putting together a slate of country and western entertainers to headline evening grandstand performances. Lorri Morgan will perform on Thursday, Phil Vasser on Friday, and Keith Urban on Saturday. Wednesday's performer has not yet been finalized.
Admission for the 2003 fair will be the same as for 2002. Season tickets will cost $22 before the start of the fair and $27 at the fair. Daily admission will be $6 before 2 p.m. and $8 after 2 p.m. Exhibitors' tickets will increase from $18 to $20. Grandstand shows and parking are included in the price of admission.
The fairgrounds also hosts a summer racing program. This year's schedule includes IMCA stock, IMCA modified, and IMCA Hobby Stock races. IRA sprint races are set for April 26 and Sept. 13. Other race dates include May 10 and 24; June 17, 14, and 21; July 5 and 19; and August 2 and 23.
Motorcycle races are slated for June 28, and Schoenike said the association is also actively pursuing other types of racing and grounds use.
Others events scheduled at the fairgrounds include an August tractor pull, two John Deere events, the Bethesda Country Fair, and the Old Time Gathering. Schoenike said the association is able to reduce maintenance and upkeep costs because John Deere mows the grounds.
In reviewing 2002 fairgrounds events, Schoenike termed the racing season "less than desired," noting weather had not been cooperative.
Among improvements made to the grounds during 2002 were sealcoating and blacktopping roads, adding electrical service to the western part of the grounds, purchasing an updated bucket truck, and cementing the open area of a building north of the grandstand.
Schoenike said events on the WBEV/WXRO stage enhanced the fair's 2002 program. "They kept people in the park, and I look for bigger and better things there this year," he added.
Norenberg showed stockholders a collection of fair memorabilia he purchased at an auction. Some of the items date back to 1889, the second Dodge County Fair. The items have been mounted and framed, and they will be displayed in the office at the fairgrounds.
Bill Christian and Sharon Keil were re-elected to three year terms on the fair board. Doug Ninmann was elected to replace Audrey Zanon, who chose not to seek another term.
All association officers were re-elected in a brief reorganizational session after the stockholders' meeting. Schoenike will continue to serve as president, Dave Hanefeld as vice president, and Mary Hanefeld and Sharon Keil as co-secretary/treasurers.
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