The 2018 Dodge County Fair kicked off on Wednesday morning with a new structure settled among familiar midway rides and outdoor stages and exhibits. The west side of the Dodge County Fairgrounds now features a new 60 ft by 124 ft commercial building. Construction broke ground late-April and continued through the summer months. Final touches wrapped up earlier this week, to open the exhibition doors just in time for opening day of the 131st Dodge County Fair. The ribbon cutting for the new building launched the five-day festival into full swing. Various contractors and fair board members were in attendance for the grand opening on August 15.

Contractors for the project included: DB Reetz (general contractor, Horicon), Steve Krenz (independent architectural designer), Mi-De Excavating (Excavating and Landscaping), Schmidt Masonry (Mayville), and Wegener Electric and Plumbing (Juneau).

This year’s fair assembled close to 150 exhibitors in the new commercial space and outdoor tent exhibition areas. This exceeds previous years by approximately thirty percent. Steve Krenz, an independent architectural designer who worked on the project, says that it is evident that additional space is needed to accommodate the existing vendors.

The new building can accommodate forty-six vendors in the indoor space in 10 ft x 10 ft booth spaces. However, several of the larger vendors this year require multiple spaces to showcase their products and services. The indoor accommodations feature concrete floors, spacious 12-16 ft ceilings, climate-controlled conditions, electricity and backdrops – making these spaces highly desirable.

Both local, home-based businesses, and large-scale companies choose to showcase their products and services at the Dodge County Fair because they interact with close to 50,000 attendees at the fair each year. Booths feature health and beauty products, unique clothing, personal services, cleaning products and consumers can sample and try many of the products.

Ticket sales, sponsorships, and donations help maintain the facility. The Dodge County Fair Association welcomes sponsorship to support improvements, maintenance and upgrades. Building sponsorship would be a highly visible opportunity for interested local businesses. Sponsorship will both draw attendees at the fair or local commuters from the highway.

The new exhibitor building will also be available for rental for public and private events throughout the spring, summer and fall months, as well as provide winter storage. If you are interested in renting the building out for your upcoming event, contact Sharon Keil at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 920-885-3586.

by Jamie Adcock author of runningdivamom.com and sunprairiemom.com