Hancock County Fair Board receives large donations for needed improvements
The Hancock County Fair Board received large donations for needed improvements. Hancock County Fair won Most Progressive Fair, for Zone 1, Division 8 at the Kentucky State Fair Convention last year, putting our local fair at the Top 6 of the 83 KY County Fairs, as well as winning state level awards for four years running.
This year’s fair will be another winner, with new events being added and the usual ones that people always love returning. Fair board members are already planning improvements for next year, and have received 2 generous donations, $7,500 from Commonwealth Rolled Products and $5,000 from Domtar.
Hancock County Fair Board Vice President Scott Basham said they will be using the donations toward building new restrooms at the fairgrounds that they hope will be completed for next year.
The Hancock County Fair Board graciously accepts a check for $7,500 from
Commonwealth Rolled Products Monday at the Lewisport plant. The donation is to help pay for new restrooms at the fairgrounds. Pictured from left: Kelly Wilson, Jeff Willis, Taylor Wroe, Paula Powers and Scott Basham.
“Our current restrooms are very small and in a location that is kind of dark,” he said, “and people have to climb up and down a few steps to get to them.
We want to build some new restrooms kind of centrally located in the fairgrounds, all on one level, where it’s well-lighted. We’re even taking a little bit of consideration about storm protection.
If we have a big storm during the fair, I know we won’t be able to have a storm shelter for 4,000 people, but we are going to try to keep some of that in mind too, as we’re building these new restrooms.”
New Restrooms Project
“The restroom project won’t be done this year, because the fair is in August, but we’re hoping that we can get some donations and put this project on our to-do list, and have it completed by next year’s 2024 Fair,” Scott said. “We got a generous donation from Domtar and Commonwealth. Improvements like that, we have to rely on generous donations from the community and whatever little bit of state money we can get.
It’s not only to benefit the Fair Board, the project will benefit the whole community. I can’t express anything but appreciation. Not only us, but the whole community, at the end of the day, will appreciate those donations and the new restrooms.”
Special Needs Ride Time
Casey Rides, the same company for the last several years, is providing the rides for this year’s fair. The Fair Board has partnered with Hancock County Autism Advocates to provide a ride time just for those with special needs and their siblings to ride the rides from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 4th. During this hour, the music will be lowered, etc., and there will be volunteers to assist.
Events
The demolition derby will be back this year, with a new category added – MiniVan Demo Derby, on Saturday, August 4th. Go-cart racing will be back as well, which was rained out last year. The horse & pony pulls and the ranch sorting are other fun events to look forward to, as well as some new ones, like garden tractor pulls and pony carriage racing.
Entries
Enter your homegrown produce and baked goods! All of the items that can be entered, along with the contact information, and schedules of events, etc., will be printed in the Hancock County Fair Catalogue, in July. “We’re getting ready for the fair,” Scott said. “The schedule of events should be coming out real soon, and we’re praying for a very great, successful fair.”
Volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering, before, during, or after the fair, please contact either Greg Wettstain, Hancock County Fair Board President, or Scott Basham, Vice President. Scott’s phone number is: 270-922-8257. Greg’s phone number is: 270-313-5077.
Gate Admission
The gate prices are the same as last year’s. Two-years-old and over will be $10 at the gate, which includes all the rides for the day. The Hancock County Fair is held at the Hancock County Fairgrounds, located at 1430 St. Rt. 1389, in Hawesville. HC Fair 2023 is Wednesday–Saturday, August 2nd-5th.
Look for more updates in the Hancock Clarion in the weeks leading up to the fair. For more information, visit the website: https://www.hancockcountykyfair.com and the Facebook Page: Hancock County KY Fairground @HCKYFairBoard.
By Jennifer Wimmer
