Sponsors sought for new fairgrounds entrance
DOVER (WJER) (Aug. 23, 2024) – There’s a fundraiser at the fairgrounds Saturday for the new entrance being built along Tuscarawas Avenue.
The Fairgrounds Initiative Committee member is hosting a sponsorship drive from 1 to 3 at the red, barn-style entrance honoring Tuscarawas County’s agricultural heritage. Committee Member Rod Endsley says it’s on track to be ready for the fair but is nowhere close to being fully paid for.
“We’re still way under what we need to totally complete it. We’ve got some grants that have been received. We’ve got some grants that we’re still waiting on the answer to. Grants take some time.”
Sponsorships begin at $50 and are available at three fair-themed levels: Red Ribbon, Blue Ribbon, and Reserve Grand Champion. Endsley says they’re still figuring out the best way to recognize the top contributors, whose names will be etched into pavers.
“They still have to complete the design, how that’s going to be, if it’s going to be a little patio area of if it’s going to be by the sidewalk. We want to make sure we pass everything, that we’re not covering some area that we shouldn’t.”
The building replaces the decaying stockade entrance that the fair board had torn down earlier this year. Fair Board member Greg Kimble says it also has more power than its predecessor, which had two overhead lights running off a single 14-amp circuit.
“Now, we would like to have a little bit better lighting. We would like to have computers and internet service, heaters, and maybe a place for a coffee pot or a crockpot or something to keep the staffers on their job.”
If you want to contribute but can’t make it to the fairgrounds on Saturday, checks payable to ‘Tusc Co Benefit’ with ‘Fairgrounds Revitalization’ on the memo line can also be dropped at any First Federal Community Bank location.