FAIRMONT – The Fairmont Chamber of Commerce Agri-Business Committee listened to Martin County Fair Board Member Lisa Stromberg on Tuesday night.

Stromberg started by talking about the board itself. She said they are elected for three-year terms. Martin County Commissioner Joe Loughmiller asked how people are nominated to be on the fair board. Stromberg said there are important distinctions that have to be made.

Stromberg started by talking about the board itself. She said they are elected for three-year terms. Martin County Commissioner Joe Loughmiller asked how people are nominated to be on the fair board. Stromberg said people have to be a member of the Martin County Fair first, paying $50 for a membership. Only then can they be considered for the fair board if they so choose.

Writing grants, heading the entertainment committee and taking care of getting rentals for the grounds are what Stromberg described as her main responsibilities. Stromberg said they like to use the grounds for a variety of things.

“Weddings, Relay for Life, the Pheasants Forever uses it twice a year,” she said. “The MYLE (Minnesota Youth Livestock Expo) at the end of June, I think it is June 27 this year. They put on a good show that brings a lot of people to Fairmont for that Minnesota livestock. They started that the year of COVID, when there wasn’t a fair.”

For this year’s main performances, Stromberg said they will start Tuesday, August 18, with a performance from Great Frontier Bull Riding. That will be followed up Wednesday by Johnny Holmes, Thursday by Colton Dixon, Friday by the Midwest Dueling Pianos and capped off Saturday by Little River Band. Instead of the traditional main stage, the Midwest Dueling Pianos will play in the Martin County Arena.

On sponsorship, Stromberg said this fair operates differently from some others to make things more available.

“Once you pay your gate fee to get in, parking’s free,” she said. “Once you pay your gate there are free things inside the fair, including the concerts. Concerts are not cheap; by no means are they cheap to come.”

As the years go by, the cost of talent has gone up. Stromberg said they apply for several state grants to obtain funding for agricultural pursuits and to maintain their buildings.

New this year is a roof for the performers on the main stage. It ended up being a pleasant surprise the way it came together for the fair board.

“We got a bid [for $275,000] like three years ago and didn’t have the funds for it,” Stromberg. “This contractor, they stuck with that bid [now].”

That is this year’s big project for the fair. Stromberg said putting that up will start in April or May, and should be in place for the festivities at this year’s Martin County Fair, August 17-23.

The next thing on their list is new bathrooms. Stromberg said they don’t know when they’d be doing that or where, but it is one of their main discussion points currently.

Loughmiller said Stromberg and the fair committee should get in touch with Scouting America and Cedar Point Scout Camp, as they recently put in new bathrooms. He said they managed to save a lot off the cost of the estimate while still meeting everything needed under the state code and Scouting America requirements.

Farmer and attendee Wanda Patschke inquired about renting the stage and roof overhang area for potential outside use, such as a music festival. Stromberg said it is indeed something they are open to pursuing.

Loughmiller wrapped it up by asking about attendance numbers over the past few years. Stromberg said they haven’t yet gotten above pre-COVID numbers, but they have continued to climb year after year and are getting close to that mark.

For more information, visit martincountyfairmn.com.