By Jennifer Stultz
Tri-County Tribune Editor
jstultz@cherryroad.com
The 2024 Pratt County Fair is over this year, but for Lori Montgomery and other members of a special Pratt County Fair building committee, big plans are underway that will support 4-H youth and the agriculture community for years to come. A generous donation from the Jack and Marge Blodgett family has spearheaded a massive fundraising effort to build a new Pratt County Fairground livestock pavilion. The end result of all the planning is in sight, but a few more donations are needed to finish this phase and move into construction.
“We need a total of $600,000 for this project which will replace the oldest and most decrepit buildings left at the fairgrounds,” said Montgomery. “With the generous Blodgett donation and other fundraising efforts, we are only $100,000 away from being able to begin construction. We would welcome any and all size donations at this point to be able to order our new building by September 1. That’s our goal.”
Montgomery said that in addition to the Blodgett support many local 4-H families and area businesses have already made commitments to give money to this project which will provide benefits to the surrounding community.
“This new building will make it possible to support our local youth with a bigger and better fair experience, but we will also be able to host agriculture events that are not even part of the fair, like lamb jackpots or school-sponsored livestock judging contests,” Montgomery said. “The new show arena and open buildings with full concrete floors will integrate and improve the already existing facilities.”
Montgomery said the old fair buildings which house the swine, bucket calf, and poultry and rabbits during the annual county fair will be demolished and replaced with a new building that will encompass all of those needs and add in a family gathering area with places to sit and watch comfortably. This will improve traffic flow through all the livestock exhibits and provide a special row of champions for the grand livestock winners, with room for educational displays.
Bigger buildings, updated electrical specs, and room for expansion – this project called the Blodgett Livestock Pavilion will be a win-win for the community, the county, and the wider state and region for livestock and agriculture promotion. Montgomery said anyone with questions or interest in making a tax-deductible donation could contact the Pratt County 4-H Foundation at 620-672-6121.
