Big Changes for 2027 Fair!
The Elkhart County 4-H Fair Board has announced that it will be starting a big expansion project extending the Poultry Barn and Rabbit Barn. The Swine Club will be moving out of its current barn and relocating. The main reason the clubs have decided to expand is for more space during their showings. The goal is to wrap up construction before the fair next year.
Map showing new additions to the fairgrounds
Elkhart County 4-H Poultry Club Organizational Leader Valerie Jacobs says with more space, they will be able to accommodate parents during their showings. In the past, parents have had to sit outside the barn due to lack of room. This project will add 86 feet of space. The extension is also needed because the club has grown to 736 birds and 211 members, a 150% size increase from 2017 when the last extension was added. They will elongate the back of the barn, almost doubling the original size.
Jacobs said they started putting money aside from their food booth for 10 years, but have been talking about this change for about 20. She also pointed out there are only 10 empty cages in the whole barn. This leaves almost no space for new members or birds. The Poultry Club has been raising funds by setting aside profits from geranium sales and their food booth here at the fair. Private donors have been involved with this project as well. Jacobs hopes they gather enough extra money to pay for the project so they won't have to cut into their club savings. She also thinks it would be a great idea to bring back some things the Poultry Club used to have, like a Champion Row, Winner's Circle and duck swimming area and slide.
Israel Stark, organizational leader of the Rabbit Club, has started planning the extension of the Rabbit Barn since January this year. They have no start date for the construction yet because they are still waiting for official approval. They will be adding 60 more feet to be equal in length with the Poultry Barn, since they are right next to each other. The extra room will also help them show rabbits with more space for the audience.
Stark thinks this will only bring good things for the club, and there won't be any downsides to expanding, besides the fact it will take up a few campsites.
The Rabbit Club has raised funds by reaching out to local businesses. They are also counting on the fair to help cover some of the costs. Stark thinks their club might even profit financially from the expansion if any donated funds are left over after construction. He plans on putting all of it into their scholarship fund for members.
Unlike the Poultry Club or the Rabbit Club, the Swine Club is moving to a different location altogether. Their new building will be built behind the Poultry and Rabbit Barns, near Gate G. The barn will take the place of the Jayco Family Fun Center and the corporate picnic area.
According to Extension Educator Sthele Greybar, the barn will become the "Crown Jewel of the fairgrounds" and likely the most expensive building. The design for the New Forest River Inc. & Peter J. Liegl Ag & Community Expo building is modeled after the place where they show swine at the Indiana State Fair. The biggest downside to the addition of this barn, Greybar says, will be the parking changes. The Blue Parking Lot will be eliminated and they will begin utilizing the Purple Parking Lot more than they have in the past.
Graphic design rendering of what the new Swine Barn is projected to look like.
Greybar estimates a year for construction, and, if there is a mild winter, thinks they could have it ready to use by June 2027. If, for some reason, there is a delay and the barn is not ready before fair week, the Swine Club will have to stay in its current barn and the changes will be saved for 2028. Greybar thinks other clubs will also benefit from this new swine barn. There has been talk among the livestock clubs about allowing the Goat Club, for instance, to use the old Swine Barn when the Swine Club moves out. That would mean more space for them, too.
In addition to the animal clubs, a new EMS building is also supposed to be built where the Northeast Campgrounds are now. The fair will be busy renovating the fairgrounds for an improved 2027 fair experience. Although change is hard, there is already much excitement surrounding the new additions.
Design rendering for the planned construction of a new EMS/Health & Wellness Center at the fairgrounds.