Community efforts help shape “the cutest fairgrounds around”

Facilities and fair manager Sjaan Vincent was helping a crew of young workers build and paint a fence recently in preparation for the upcoming Lake County Fair. They carefully measured and placed rails, then added a coat of brown paint – with Vincent lending a hand and supervising the endeavor.

It’s one of the many hats she wears at the bustling Ronan fairgrounds, which she manages year around.

Summer is particularly busy though, especially with the Lake County Fair filling the grounds, barns and Ronan Community Center July 20-28. Vincent’s duties including scheduling, recruiting and orienting judges, and making sure the buildings are ready to accept cattle, chicken, pigs and sheep, and exhibits of everything from flowers to chocolate-chip cookies.

“Sjaan does a fantastic job,” says Extension Agent Claudia Andrade. “She is here for the kids – she listens and takes action.”

Vincent’s familiarity with the Ronan fairgrounds and 4-H go back to her childhood.

“I've been involved since I was 9 years old at some level,” she says. “Whether I was being a 4-H kid or a 4-H leader, a 4-H Council member and a Fair Board member, and now, managing the whole thing.”

Over the years, and under a variety of managers, the county-owned facility next door to Ronan High School on Third Street has continued to evolve. Recent federal funding secured by Lake County helped finance new infrastructure, replacing plumbing and electrical work that was more than 50 years old, and mostly installed by volunteers.

A new 75-foot long concrete patio, installed by Wall and Slab Concrete, now lines the north side of the community center, and spills into a large grassy area that was home to the Chamber of Commerce’s Summer Solstice Brew Fest and Safe Harbor’s recent circus and carnival.

Power is now available in each of the livestock barns and along adjacent fences (handy for the annual Lights Under the Big Sky lighting extravaganza).

A new 100kw generator is slated for installation too, “which is going to be able to run the entire grounds in case of disaster,” says Vincent.

The community center has a new heating and cooling system, and Vincent is optimistic a Community Development Block Grant, also being pursued by Lake County, will revamp its bathrooms and kitchen area and improve technology throughout the building.

Vincent stresses that community labor and commitment built the fairgrounds, and the Friends of the Fairgrounds continues to play an important role in improving the facility, which she calls “an economic driver for not just our community but for our valley.”

“This is a busy place,” she adds. The fairgrounds is host to myriad 4-H and FFA events, from dog agility trials and goat showmanship, to food preservation, the County Congress, and new-member orientation.

4-H shooting sports are held indoors from October to February, with archery in the horticulture barn and pistol and air rifle activities in the community center. “I don't know another facility anywhere that allows that,” says Vincent.

The fairgrounds are also home to a constant stream of private events, from wedding receptions and funerals to banquets and arena events. “It’s really being utilized.”

She credits the fairgrounds’ facelift in part to the vision of retired Extension Agent Jack Stivers. “He just wanted a very attractive community space. And we, over the years, have taken our little bitty fair budget and worked toward that,” said Vincent. She quotes fair board vice chair Cynthie Preston, “We're not the biggest fairgrounds in the world, but we're probably the cutest.”