11-04-2025
Fairgrounds construction concerns 2025 event planners
GREENSBURG – The planned revamp of the Decatur County Fairgrounds was a topic of discussion at a recent meeting of the Decatur County Board of Commissioners.
It should be noted that the Decatur County 4-H Fair in July and Power of the Past in August, as well as most events at the Decatur County Fairgrounds in 2025, will be impacted by construction of the new Headquarters Building on the grounds, as Power of the Past Coordinator Kim Carpenter learned at Monday's meeting.
Carpenter attended to seek approval for a beer garden at the 2025 POP, which is scheduled for the third weekend of August.
Carpenter said the beer garden would be located below an awning where the old Community Building sat. Commissioner Jeremy Pasel told her that would not be possible as construction would be in progress in that area during the event.
At 2024's POP, The Beach Tiki Bar and Restaurant was the vendor operating the beer 'booth' in the Community Building, which is scheduled for demolition. Because the beer booth was inside the building, Carpenter chose to make entry age-restricted. This made it difficult for families to sit together while consuming adult refreshments.
Carpenter said St. Paul Tavern is the chosen beer vendor for 2025 and an open air/barricaded beer garden selling canned beer was planned.
Pasel said the area from the Community Building to the Livestock Pavilion would be under construction and unusable for festival purposes during POP.
In reference to the area she called 'food alley,' Carpenter said there would be enough space to include the beer garden but asked about the availability of electricity there.
Pasel and Commissioners Brian Wenning both said that was still being worked out.
Pasel said that all electrical power, including internet and PA wiring, would be moved underground during construction. The remaining poles would be outfitted with electrical, but final details are not firm at this time.
County Councilors Danny Peters and Bill Metz were present in the audience and voiced their concerns about electrical and vendor placement as well.
Currently, with asbestos remediation taking place in the Community Building, the building stands without a roof waiting for demolition to begin. No date for the demolition has been set yet, and timing for the project has not been announced.
