A large screen in the TK Marshal arena during the livestock auction on Saturday showed an architectural rendering of what the Main Exhibit Hall at the Colusa County Fairgrounds could look like – with a lot of hard work and about $500,000.
While the Colusa County Fair Foundation didn’t expect to raise the full amount in one afternoon, they got a tremendous start on the project, thanks to the generosity of those already there to purchase market animals from Colusa County youth.
The Colusa County Fair Foundation, with community support, has been the primary investor in improvements at the fairgrounds ever since the state slashed funding for county expositions beyond “bare bones” operations.
“Funding for fairs across the state was cut significantly about 10 years ago,” said Fair Foundation President Dan Bailey. “That is when we founded the Fair Foundation with the sole purpose of reinvesting back into the fairgrounds.”
Improvements needed at the Main Exhibit Hall, considered the showcase of the fairgrounds, include a new roof, paint, and HVAC system. Suggested options are a red building with light gray doors or a beige building with tan trim, white roof, and brown doors, but nothing has been decided.
Bailey said without the financial support of the community, there would be no money for maintaining or improving any of the structures for future generations. Since the Foundation began, the group has funded the renovation of Festival Hall, installed new grandstand sewer lines, created the Etchepare Garden, and completed concrete work in the livestock barns, among other projects.
Those who attended Saturday’s auction were not asked to donate as an alternative to purchasing animals – so as not to take away from the county’s youth – but just to dig a little deeper into their pockets.
“This is an added ask,” said Fair Foundation member and Fair Board President Michael Doherty, who said without the community’s help, the fair and fairgrounds would not be sustainable.
Big donors on Saturday to raise their auction paddles were Javier Ruiz Rodeo Promoter and Tri-Counties Bank, each with a $20,000 donation. Another two dozen or so families and companies pledged $2,500 to $5,000. Many others donated $100 to $500.
In addition to the “raise your paddle” fundraiser at the auction, the Fair Foundation on June 8 hosted a “fun” fundraising event called the parent pig showmanship, prior to the Fair’s official opening, which also raised money for the non-profit organization.
Pig “showmen” that hamed it up for the audience included former Miss Colusa County Jolyn (Wells) Campbell in a full length gown, tiara and sash; Matt LaGrande, sporting hillbilly overalls and a mullet; Tom Stephens, dressed for a luau; Max Vann, riding a stick horse and roping anything that moved; Robert Shadley Jr., with a lamb that identifies as a pig, and many others.
LaGrande earned the title Parent Showmanship Champion. Immediately following the adult event, kids also rocked the arena with pigs under the popper. Charles Vaca earned the title and trophy as 2022 PeeWee Champion Showman.
Fair Foundation members said their Main Exhibit Building fundraiser will continue into 2023, and is not limited to only those who buy animals at the auction.
Donations for the improvement of the Main Exhibit Building in any amount can be mailed to the Colusa County Fair Foundation at P.O. Box 745, Colusa, 95932. ■