Mark your calendars for fair fun

On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to visit Gizmo's Event Center in Wheaton. Although I have kept an eye on the construction of this new multipurpose complex, this was my first opportunity to tour the grandstand and recently completed multipurpose facility.

I must say that I was impressed. The new grandstand will seat over 1,000 people and the multipurpose facility features a concession area with a complete kitchen. It also offers bathrooms, showers and a stage area, which will be available for business meetings, wedding receptions and other community events.

On July 25, 26 and 27, the event center will host the Barry County Fair, which evolved from the Barry County Youth Fair last year.

I was impressed with the event that the fair committee hosted in an empty lot just south of Purdy last year, but I believe the event center will offer area youth much nicer livestock show accommodations. I hope this helps the county fair grow in the future.

Along with the fair, Gizmo's Event Center will host a ranch style rodeo and two days of PRCA action next weekend. Local country group, Corybel, has also been invited to perform at the weekend-long event.

I hope all Barry Countians will plan to make a trip over to Wheaton to see the new event center and enjoy the county fair this year. In addition to watching some great performances, local residents will have the opportunity to support local FFA and 4-H students.

I will be around taking photos of all the fun for an upcoming edition of the newspaper. Hope to see you there!