ADRIAN — A 75-year-old building was made new in time for animal judging at this year’s Lenawee County Fair.
Volunteers and 4-H club members worked together for 14 years to raise the funds that were used to renovate the 4-H Show Barn.
Chris Downard, chairman of the Show Barn Renovation Committee, said the renovations cost $185,000, and that at least that much labor was donated as well.
“This was the 4-H community coming together and raising a lot of money to do a great project,” Downard said.
The 4-H Show Barn now has seating capacity for 1,050 spectators, including bleacher seating for 510 people and seating on the main floor for 540 people, he continued. The barn is multipurpose and can be set up for judging of many different animals.
The building is also available to rent for events like weddings or graduation parties.
“It’s a nice building inside and out,” Downard said.
Brad Williams, who works as the 4-H beef superintendent, is also on the Show Barn Renovation Committee. He said that funds from operating the Steak Shack helped pay for the project.
“All the kids worked in that for 14 years, and some of the profits were put into a bank account to either renovate [the Show Barn] or build a new one,” Williams said.
“After 14 years, we had enough to renovate, so we renovated,” he continued.
The improvements include a new concrete floor, a new door and steel siding inside and out. Inside, renovations include a new ceiling, speakers, lights, fans, and door.
Much of the work was done by 4-H clubs themselves. Members of the 4-H clubs pitched in at work bees by pulling out and replacing the bleachers, painting, and putting new sheeting on the walls.
“It looks like a new building,” Williams said. “We figure it will last at least another 75 years.”
As part of the ribbon cutting ceremony, one of the entrances to the building was dedicated to longtime Lenawee County Fair and 4-H volunteer Wayne Roback, who died in December. The Wayne Roback Memorial Patio sits at the north side of the building. The concrete patio features picnic tables for fairgoers to enjoy.
