Guernsey County Fair Board to upgrade lighting, thanks to $106k grant award

COLUMBUS — State officials recently announced $10 million in grants to support Ohio fairgrounds and enhance experiences for fairgoers.

“Investing in Ohio’s county and independent fairs means investing in some of Ohio’s most beloved traditions," Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a news release. “These improvements will ensure that our fairgrounds remain safe and accessible for everyone.”

Grants will support a variety of projects, including new grandstands, repairing or replacing dilapidated buildings, new or improved restroom facilities, parking and camping sites, and ADA accessibility improvements like ramp additions and improved pathways. Several projects include electrical upgrades, lighting improvements, and additional directional and traffic signage.

Locally, the Guernsey County Fair will receive the $106,831. According to fair board president Josh Stiers, the money will be used to replace the old, dilapidated track lighting. The timing of the project has not been set in stone, but will more than likely be completed towards the end of the year, after the Paul Bunyan Show which is held early October.

Stiers said that the new lights will be LED, and will greatly reduce energy costs for the fair, and improve the lighting of the track for all guests and entertainers. The grant money will cover 100% of the costs for the upgrades.

The $10 million pot of money administered by the Ohio Department of Development was evenly distributed to every county agricultural society in Ohio. All 94 county and independent fairs applied and received funding that was made possible with support from the 135th Ohio General Assembly in House Bill 33. All applicants were awarded up to $106,831, with two fairs requesting a lower amount.

Ohio's fair season officially kicked off June 8 with the Paulding County Fair and will wrap up Oct. 12 with the Fairfield County Fair. The Guernsey County Fair will take place Sept. 9-15. A complete list of Ohio’s fairs is available on the Department of Agriculture’s website .

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Guernsey County Fair Board to upgrade lighting, thanks to $106k grant award