February 11, 2025

how arena at fairgrounds takes shape

By CALEB NELSON

This picture shows the amount of work that had been completed by Sunday afternoon on the new show arena that is being erected on the Adair County Fairgrounds. (Photo by)

GREENFIELD— The Adair County Fairgrounds will have a new structure this year at the fair when a new covered show arena will first be used.

The arena was announced the opening night of the 2019 fair and is made possible in part by an $83,000 check from MidAmerican Energy that was given to the fair board.

Footings were poured for the structure last fall but farther work wasn’t able to begin. Now that the area has thawed, work has been able to begin, according to fair board member Roger Tanner.

“They started a couple weeks ago and have begun building on it,” Tanner said. “I haven’t been up there for a few weeks but I’d assume they’re starting to put the tin on. If they just have some good weather to go it doesn’t take long to do it.

The new show arena is a Sukup building 70-by-80 feet and 18 feet tall. It will greatly enhance the opportunities for young showmen in the county by providing they and their livestock with a shaded area to show in. All spectators will be able to be under a covering during a show should a light rain be falling.

The old outdoor show arena is being kept as a staging area for the new arena.

Tanner expects the new arena will be completed sometime in the next two weeks.

“Everything will be under a roof. People will be under shade and livestock will be in the shade,” Tanner said. “Unless it’s blowing wind you’ll still be able to have a show. If it’s really hot you’ll be in the shade and it’ll be cooler.”