To collect and collate historical photographs, memorabilia, and personal stories in order to preserve the history of the McLeod County Fair. The fair will seek out stories and request historical items, for loan or donation, to the McLeod County Agricultural Association. During the 140th anniversary of the fair, visitors can view a history display. Funds will be used to preserve a piece of Minnesota's heritage in a single collection, while educating the public with displays.
To increase the Steele County Fair's capacity to showcase children's art by purchasing new display materials. Portable wall panels will allow work to be hung in a gallery type fashion, and offer more surface area to display children's art.
The McLeod County Fair will contract with Minnesota artists of various talents and styles of music from polka bands to multi-piece bands and acoustic performers that cover original songs to classic hits from a variety of genres. We strive to cover a broad range of styles that suit all aged attendees of our fair, as well as providing the opportunity to expose new music styles to those that may not have otherwise considered listening elsewhere.
We plan to use this grant to offset costs for our blacksmith demonstrations, and towards the local Minnesota-based musicians we hire for our free stage.
This grant is intended to provide access to cultural music of this area of the state. We are inviting in musical groups for our old-time music afternoon and a special concert in our north entertainment area. These groups include The Concord Singers, The Marv Nissel Band, and the Over-60 band. We are trying to pass on old-time music to younger audiences and keep the tradition of this music as a part of the fair. We also have a fair museum, and the doors are sticking making it difficult for people to get in. This is a controlled environment building so we need to keep the doors closed.
1. SECOND EDITION OF McLEOD COUNTY FAIR HISTORY: 1993 through 2022 for our 150th Celebration. Our Legacy project is a continuation of documenting our agricultural association's history. The first edition of the book covered our beginning years in the late 1800's up through 1992. This second edition book will cover the years of 1993 - 2022, the year of our 150th Celebration. This important documentation of our past will preserve our agricultural history in our community and serve as the foundation of the legacy that we will carry on for future generations.
Olmsted County Fair offers a free stage featuring all Rochester, MN or southeastern Minnesota-based musical artists every night of the fair. We plan to use funds from the Legacy Grant to help bring these musical and performing artists to our fair. A few of our featured acts this year include bands County Line Drive and The Soul Train.
Each year we try to highlight some form of the arts that the public may not get to see often. In 2024, we will be featuring a glass blowing demonstration in our Family Zone. The Glass artists do shows demonstrating techniques and create a piece for the audience to see each step off the process. They do multiple shows daily between 10am to 9pm.
To create a Historic Structures Report (HSR), a specialized study that provides documentary information about a historic property's significance, history of use, and current condition. It will be an early step in preservation planning, that considers goals for a structure's use, significant features, and outlines a recommended course of treatment and scope of work for repair and restoration.
The project will develop and install an educational exhibit on the history and significance of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Olmsted County and throughout MN. As the regional headquarters of both of these depression-era economic programs, the Olmsted County Fairgrounds was integral to their local activities and played a role in the development of agricultural and civic infrastructure that continued to serve southeastern MN for decades.
To bring together a diverse assortment of educational opportunities to one location and provide an easily accessed way for all ages and backgrounds to enhance their knowledge of the arts, culture and heritage. The McLeod County Fair connected with community people from multiple communities and backgrounds by hosting presentations and demonstrations by local artists and experts within the areas of the arts, cultural heritage and Minnesota history.
To bring provide new and diverse programming to the McLeod County Fair. Programming will include presentations and demonstrations by local artists and experts on pioneer trunks, Native American legends and beliefs, and the US Dakota conflict of 1862. By holding these demonstrations, the McLeod County Fair hopes to develop precedence and continue to offer demonstrations like these in future years.
Native to the western United States and Canada, mountain pine beetle is considered the most devastating forest insect in North America. Trees usually die as a result of infestation and an unprecedented outbreak in the west is currently decimating pine forests there. While mountain pine beetle is not presently believed to reside in Minnesota, there are risks posed by an expanding species range resulting from warming climate and the potential for accidental introduction via lumber imports from infested areas.
To provide educational opportunities for fair visitors to learn about the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in southern Minnesota. Between 1933 and 1939, the Olmsted County Fairgrounds was home to the regional headquarters of the CCC company 1774-V. The fair will create two exhibits documenting the living conditions of CCC and WPA workers, and the long-term impact of both programs.
Approximately 70 percent of all Minnesotans rely on groundwater as their primary source of drinking water. Wells used for drinking water must be properly sealed when removed from service to protect both public health and Minnesota’s invaluable groundwater resources. The Minnesota Department of Health protects both public health and groundwater by assuring the proper sealing of unused wells.
Clean Water funds are being provided to well owners as a 50% cost-share assistance for sealing unused public water-supply wells.
Design mitigation plan for floor drains that are connected to the storm sewer that discharge to a gravel pocket. Post a "No Dumping - clean water only" sign within the Inner Wellhead Management Zone
