​During these unprecedented times of social distancing due to COVID-19, businesses and individuals alike are having to adapt and make changes to meet public health and safety requirements. At this time the Boone County Fair Board is continuing to plan for the 2020 fair, as scheduled but are looking at potential options if changes need to be made. The fair board has been working closely with Boone County Emergency Management as well as Boone County Extension and Outreach to determine the best course of action for fair. 
“As the state regulations are constantly changing, the fair board is not ready to make a final decision on how the 2020 fair will look. Taking many factors into consideration, including entertainment contracts, exhibitors, vendors, sponsorship and advertising, the board has voted to hold off making a final decision for the 2020 Boone County Fair until June 16,” (one month prior to opening day of the fair), said Wayne Lynch, Boone County Fair Board President. “We will continue to monitor state and federal public health regulations, and will meet with Boone County Emergency Management and Boone County Extension (and Outreach) to make the best decision for our county.”
The Boone County Fair Board’s goal is to host the 2020 Boone County Fair as planned, so everyone in the county has a fun event to look forward to this summer.  Although if that is not possible, they feel the most important part is making sure our 4-H and FFA youth have an opportunity to exhibit their projects and livestock and will consider having an “exhibition only” fair.
For all information about the Boone County Fair, July 16-19, 2020 including the schedule of events and COVID-19 related updates, visit the Fair’s website at www.boonecountyfairia.com or follow them on Facebook. 

Thanks to funds from the Leonard Good Trust, the Fitzgerald Charitable Trust and the Boone Community Endowment grant, the Boone County Fair Board was able to complete several improvements to the Fairgrounds in 2019. The Fairgrounds is home to over 100 events, which host over 75,000 people annually.
 
Improvements made by the fair board this year through grant funds included exterior renovations of the Community Building and fairgrounds sound system upgrades. The Community Building had a complete face lift which included: masonry work and tuck pointing to repair cracks in the block structure, repainting the entire building, wrapping the front awning, replacement of the overhead garage door to increase energy efficiency and also replacement of three sets of doors which included a handicap accessible push button on the main entry doors. All the improvements to the Community Building will not only help the structural integrity, but have made the building look much more aesthetically pleasing for all fairgrounds visitors. Since the fairgrounds does accommodate such a diversity of events, often times sound systems are needed for important announcements or general presentations. Funds secured through these grants allowed the fair board to replace many out-of-date, and non-working sound systems.
 
The Boone County Fairgrounds serves as a great asset to the City of Boone and Boone County, which makes all fairground improvements a benefit the community. The fair board is pleased with the improvements that have been made over the past year, but with any large facility, there are always new projects to take on.  The fair board and fairgrounds is a non-profit organization, and all donations made are considered tax deductible. For more information about how you can help the Boone County Fairgrounds, contact the fair office.

​The Boone County Fair Board hosted its first ever Fair Fundraiser Kickoff event this past Saturday, March 9th at the Community Building on the Fairgrounds. The event included a meal featuring meat donated by Whatcha Smokin' BBQ, silent and live auctions, and live musical entertainment by Casey Muessigmann.  The event was publicized as an opportunity for individuals to help financially support the Fair.  Specifically, the fair board stated their goal was to raise $4,000 to pay for the judges for 4-H and FFA events during the 2019 Boone County Fair. Over 250 advanced tickets were sold for the event, and over $10,000 was raised.  The funds will cover the cost of all judges for this year's Fair. Additionally, it will fund the new fire alarm panel that needed replaced in the Community Building, and other facility maintenance needs.  Fair Board President, Danielle Griggs, shared “I am in awe of the whole event, thank you so much for supporting the Fair!”  The Boone County Fair Board would like to extend a sincere thank you to all who donated items, attended or supported the event in anyway.  We could not provide the support to our 4-H and FFA youth, provide quality facilities, or put on the Fair without the support of our wonderful community.  The Boone County Fair Board is a non-profit organization whose main focus is to host the annual County Fair.  The 2019 Boone County Fair is scheduled from July 18-21.  For updates on all Boone County Fair information visit our website, or like us on Facebook!

The Boone County Fair Board is excited to announce a contract has been signed with Scotts Amusements for the upcoming Fair which is scheduled for July 18-21, 2019.  Scotts Amusements is a brand-new carnival company, however the rides, and owners are not new to the business or to Boone County.  Brothers Rob and Russ Scott grew up in the carnival business, and most recently Russ spent the last year managing Smiths Amusements.  Smith’s Amusements was owned and operated by Steve and Vikki Smith and has been known for years as one of the most reputable carnivals in the state.  Smith’s Amusements might sound familiar to many Boone natives, as they operated the carnival at Pufferbilly days for years.  Upon Smiths retiring from the carnival business this past year Russ and Rob purchased some of their rides and have started booking events.  Rob, who lives with his wife and children near Pilot Mound, said he would like to keep things close to home.  “It is my goal to stay within 100 miles of home if I can,” Rob explains.  The Fair board is excited to work with Scotts Amusements, and hopes to work with them for many years in the future.  “It is nice to have a carnival with a local connection, the Scott family has been in 4-H and exhibiting at the Fair for years, we are glad to work with them in this new capacity,” Fair Manager Ashley Fitzgerald explains.  Mark your calendars for the 2019 Boone County Fair, and make sure to take some time at the Fair to enjoy the new carnival. 
 
The mission of the Boone County Fair Board is to support, and promote the growth and development of the urban and rural communities of Boone County by highlighting the heritage of the community, and its ties to agriculture, industry, and businesses that are the backbone of the community.  For more information about the 2019 Boone County Fair, or any events on the Fairgrounds, visit our website at www.boonecountyfairia.com.