To partner with local non-profits to bring arts and cultural heritage demonstrations to the Pope County Fair. Demonstrations will range from quilting and spinning to the fine arts, rosemaling, and lefse making.
To enhance the free arts and cultural heritage performances on Pope County Fair's Free Stage by installing a permanent sound system and bring a Medicine Wagon Show to perform multiple shows each day of the fair. Additionally, to mount historical markers around the fair to explain the history of the buildings and fairgrounds.
We will be completing our furnace and air conditioning project that was started in 2022 in our Legacy Building that is used for all open class and presentations during the fair.
Our legacy project will be free stage presentations throughout the fair August 2-6, 2023. We will have a mixture of Minnesota bands and youth education with a raptor presentation.
Our Legacy project includes having the Red Letter Band perform and having Clueless the Balloon Twister come and entertain the children again this year.
Funding supports an Irrigation Specialist to develop guidance and provide education on irrigation and nitrogenbest management practices (BMPs). In this position, Dr. Vasu Sharma provides direct support to irrigators onissues of irrigation scheduling and soil water monitoring. She is collaborating on the development of new irrigationscheduling tools that help irrigators manage water and nitrogen resources more precisely. These tools help reducenitrogen leaching losses in irrigated cropping systems.
To provide a year round venue for arts and cultural and heritage events that will also provide handicapped accessible restroom facilities with a breastfeeding and diaper change area.
To offer demonstrations, hands-on activities, dance, music and spoken word performances on the history of the Armed Services and Native American culture.
To recognize outstanding senior citizens in Sibley County. Attendees can listen to a polka band and watch the awards ceremony. Funds will also be used to upgrade stage lighting and install a sound system to enhance the programming.
Additionally, funds will enhance the fine arts exhibits in the Horticulture Building. Upgraded lighting and new display cases will improve the visibility of photography, quilt and needlework entries.
To construct an Arts and Heritage Center on the fair grounds. The Sibley County Fair will erect an Arts and Heritage Center with a 40 foot stage and two dressing rooms. The building will primarily serve as an educational arts and culture center for the fair. The fair will present acts on the stage from six to eight hours per day during the fair.
To rehabilitate the original horse racing judges’ stand. The stand is the last relic of the 143 year old fair grounds and dates back to the late 1800’s. The stand is comprised of a first story entry and refreshment area, and an upper section for judging the races. It’s 360 degree observation of the track was made possible by its hexagon shape and large doors that could be lifted when needed on each side. This is the first stage of the multi-year restoration of this prized building and is an important part of the plan to initiate a daily educational program at the fair.
