Delta County Fair Board Minutes 02.02.2024

Delta County Fair Board Meeting Tuesday January 2, 2024

Delta County Administrative Building 560 Dodge - Delta, CO 81416

Members in attendance: Jennifer Craig - President, Ryan Bates – Vice President, Cristen Chermak - Secretary, Robbie LeValley – Delta County Administrator, Phillip Hulet – Member, Kim Shea – Parade and Vendors, Kelsi Ward and Gary Peebles were not in attendance.

Jen called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.

Guests: Jackie Shea - Tri-County 4-H Extension Agent, Teresa Burns – Royalty Superintendent, Jolene Medill – Horse Superintendent

Minutes

Jen asked for a motion to approve the minutes submitted to the board for the November meeting. Ryan made the motion to approve the minutes. Phil seconded the motion. The minutes were approved after filling in a blank to add the last name of a guest at the previous meeting. Cristen requested that information prior to the motion to accept the minutes.

Treasurer Report

Kelsey had sent the treasurer's report. Bank of Colorado $75,335.96 money market account $20,597.15 for a total of $95,933.11

Additionally, the sale committee was invoiced for their share of the ice and beer for the beer garden. Phil made a motion to approve the treasurer's report. Ryan seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Extension Office Report

Jackie Shea reported that:

Nomination procedures have been sent out to families.
Producers in Delta County must sign and submit an affidavit.
Jackie received a quote from Sheridan Buckle for buckle awards for the 2024 fair. Kim Shea mentioned that she has a connection with Montana Silver Stock. She is willing to get prices for buckles for comparison pricing.
The 4-H Beef Roast is March 3rd. Leaders will have tickets next week.
Ryan and Jackie have been looking at fair board sponsorship money contributed to 4-H members during the fair. Jackie does not feel it would be out of line for families to pay a small amount for wristbands, for example $20. Looking at the amount of money the fair board spends on the fair for 4H members, Jackie feels it is reasonable to ask families to pay a portion of the cost for wristbands.
The late fee for 4H enrollment was raised for this year, but basic enrollment cost has not gone up.

Commissioners Report

Robbie LeValley reported:

The commissioners finalized purchase of the property south of the fairgrounds.
The bathrooms on the back side of the fairgrounds were vandalized extensively. She stated that the bathrooms will be closed if it becomes necessary. Commissioners are looking at programmable locks as a possibility for the bathrooms.
The commissioners approved their annual budget. The fair board can start working on items to purchase previously requested of the commissioners.

Guests

Kim Shea would like to raise booth space cost for the coming fair for the 2024 fair. She does not think it would be out of line to raise the fee. She does not have anything on paper yet, but she wants to get vendor information out right away to potential vendors. Mesa County charges $150.00 for a 10 x 10 booth space. Applefest charges $340 for a booth space.

Kim would like to change awards for the parade. She would like to have fewer categories and increase award amounts. A decision needs to be made prior to the fair book being printed so current information is included.

Royalty Report

Teresa Burns spoke for the royalty. She stated that fair royalty was supposed to be at the meeting. They have a meeting next week so she will address their absence. Fair Royalty attended the Mountain State Rodeo, CPRA finals, the Republican Party Lincoln Day event, 3 the FFA dinner, Colorado Fairs and Shows. Royalty members created a poster for the centerpiece of their table at Colorado Fairs and Shows. They participated in the Delta Parade of Lights and received third place. They received $15 and put the money back into their budget. Royalty participated in the Cedaredge Parade of Lights and received third place.

Jolene Medill – Horse Superintendent – reported that the Colorado State Fair posted a survey regarding changes to horse rules. Currently, nothing will be changed for this year. Correct rules and schedules will be sent for our fair book. Horse rules need to be updated from how they were printed in the fair book last year. Jen will send the document for the rules to Jolene so that they can be corrected. Jolene stated that Katy Greenwood/s daughter will show her horse at the novice level. There is not a novice level for showmanship. There is nothing in the fair book rules regarding novice showmanship. Jen clarified that we do not have novice showmanship in any category.

Old Business

Cristen reported that Mr. Clubb donated a significant number of items to the Fair Board. These items can be used for multiple events at Heritage Hall. Cristen requested that a Thank you card be obtained to sign and send to Mr. Clubb. Also, a tax deductible form with Fair Board letterhead should be sent to Mr. Clubb. He did not request one, but we should send one, nonetheless.

New Business

Kim Shea requested that the board consider providing hotel rooms for parade judges. Ryan and Kim will have a future meeting to discuss this idea.

The board participated in a discussion regarding the fair schedule. As budget numbers are going down and expenses increase - $19,000 ribbon cost this year significantly impacted the fair board budget. Sponsorship dollars went up. The board needs to consider options for activities.

Ranch Rodeo – well received. The board makes money on this event without a lot of cost.
Mini Broncs and Muttin’ Bustin - well attended. • PCRA Entertainer of the Year – Bobby Kerr and the Mustangs – side attraction.
Goat roping – popular event.
Adult Showmanship – should be made more interactive.
Ranch Rodeo could be a Calcutta event. 4
Junior Rodeo – move to Community Night? This event is costing us $4000. Is there a better day for the event that would draw additional spectators? Amy needs to be included in a conversation regarding the Junior Rodeo.
The dance - well received.
Demolition Derby - $70,000 worth of dirt was moved into the arena for rodeos. The dirt can be moved out of the arena and back in after the derby. The Demolition Derby is hands down a big money maker. Could the dirt be pushed to the side of the arena to make a berm for the event? Would not be taken completely out of the arena that way. CAT/Wagner would possibly donate equipment to manage moving the dirt.
Funnel cakes? Why were there not any funnel cakes at the fair this past year? Extremely popular item.
There is a big downtime after the pig show. Need to consider ideas for an event afterward.
The rabbit/poultry shows to Thursday afternoon. Jen spoke with Joyce Conger – superintendent – regarding these shows. Avian Flu is on the rise. These shows could be moved to Monday with set-up that day and entries in place between 6:00- 8:00 p.m. Shows could be on Tuesday afternoon and animals taken home after the shows.
The horse show may be moved to Saturday/Sunday. Jolene suggested that the English/Western show could be on Saturday and the Ranch Gymkhana could be Sunday. The schedule would be the same, just moved up a day.
Monday could be a set-up day.
Bring in a local to perform?
Corn Hole Tournament - $5/person to enter.
Ag Olympics • Review Beer Garden hours.
Yak rides – Free
Facebook – check insurance needs

Sponsorship packets are ready for distribution.

The sales committee will meet during February/March. New buyer recruitment will be a topic for discussion.

Phil made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ryan seconded the motion. The motion passed, and the meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Cristen Chermak with corrections introduced at the February Board meeting.