Tornado Clean Up Progress

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07-19-11

The Vendor building under construction at the fairgrounds suffered complete loss in today's thunderstorm. Rebuilding the project is already underway. See the Wadena Pioneer Journal article here.

06-22-11

There have been many improvements already to the devastated site of the Wadena County Fairgrounds. The 4-H building has been refinished, the horse barn is a completely new building, bleachers have been put in place at the Grandstand. More rebuilding must be done, but as a community we will be strong and succeed.

07-22-10

On July 19th: 4-H groups from 7 counties came and picked up, raked and scouted the grounds for debris. They did an awesome job. Our thanks to all of you. MnDOT has removed several inches of sand from the Horse arena and have the fill in - it just needs to be spread. They have also filled in and smoothed areas where there used to be a building. A large magnet will go over the grounds at least one more time.

More flowers and grass seed has been planted. Chain link fencing along Hwy 10 was started on Wednesdy and should be done by the weekend. Horse areas and Show arena will be put up Friday afternoon, tents come in on Tuesday morning and should be ready to set up horse pens and vendor spots by noon.

There are volunteer days planned from Friday till the fair. Anyone who would like to come down and help is more than welcome.

If you would like to help rebuild the Wadena County Fairgrounds, your donation can be sent to:

Wadena County Ag Society
PO Box 652
Wadena, MN 56482

07-12-10

The Wadena County Ag Society Fair Board would like to thank all the people and organizations that have helped, contributed and loaned items and machinery to help support the continueing of the fair. We feel that the community of Wadena County could use some fun hours away from all the devastation that we received so recently so we are planning to have as much of a full schedule as possible on the Wadena county Fairgrounds with events stating July 28th through July 31st. Having lost several buildings and trees, we have taken many steps toward clean up and changes for the up coming fair.

Our main concern is the safety and security of the animals, exhibits and people on the grounds. Youngs Excavating from Hackensack has finished up the major clean up of buildings and trees. MN DOT and Volunteers have went over the grounds with large mounted magnets to pick up as much metal as possible.

A Structural Engineer has been hired to check the safety of the remaining buildings. If any are deemed unsafe, they will not be used.

The board would like to address any concerns at a Public forum Meeting on July 14th at 6:00pm at the fairgrounds. Volunteer information will also be available at that time. Please join us to get the recent updates to what is happening for the upcoming fair and check out the grounds changes.

If you would like to help make our County Fair a success, please purchase advance Carnival tickets from the local business' or send donations to:

Wadena County Ag Society (WCAS)

PO Box 652

Wadena, MN 56482

7/6/2010
The Fairgrounds are looking a little different these days. Much clean up has been done by
Young Excavating out of Hackensack have been hired to do the major clean up of several
buildings, including the 2 Horse Barns, Show Arena, New Ideas, Family Fun Center,
The OLD 4-H Building, the Grandstand and surrounding area. They are scheduled to be
done by the end of June 10th.

STS had done repairs to the Sheep Barn and the NEW 4-H building and are expected
to finish the Beef Barn this week. By Monday the grounds will look a lot better.

The Fish and Game, Beer Garden, Home & Hobbies, Administration, Beef and Sheep
Buildings remain safe to use. The Fair Board, Barn Supervisor and other interested parties
have met with Hennepin and Norton County Fair Board on setting up tents for our missing
buildings. Several issues that were discussed were Safety and Security of Animals, People
and Exhibits. Hennepin has held Tent Fairs for 25 years.

Remaining buildings will be checked over thoroughly for safety to the public.

We invite anyone who wants to take a peek to come in after Friday 07-09-10 and
check out the progress.

If you would like to volunteer for small clean up, please contact either the Fair Board or 4-H.

There will be a public forum on July 14th from 6:00pm - 7:00 pm at the Fair Grounds for
any concerns that you may have. We want to have a safe and fun fair for everyone.

Flowers have been planted around the Office areas from donated flowers by:
Granite Falls and Faye Mavis~THANK YOU !!

Check back often for progress updates.

Wadena County Fairgrounds

Tornado Clean Up Progress