By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Barton County Fair Association has been hosting the fair and many
other events at the Great Bend Expo Complex for over 30 years. Several of those
events have required overnight stay. Fair Board President Charles Atkinson said
throughout the years, the Fair Association has provided temporary electrical
hookups for those staying overnight.
"We provide hookups to those that wish to camp at our events like 4-H families, vendors, racers, livestock and farm show participants," said Atkinson. "We have done this with temporary equipment connected to power that has been available west of Expo III. The current equipment we're using has aged and no longer meets our safety codes."
Atkinson presented a proposal to the Great Bend City Council Monday night for installation of permanent electrical hookups to enhance the facilities and allow a
safer experience for attendees. The 20 hookups would be just west of the Expo
III building, along the fence that runs parallel to the SRCA Dragstrip. The
Fair Association will raise the funds to complete the project, but approval by
the City Council was preferred before the end of the month.
"I don't expect an answer tonight because this is the first time you're getting to see this," said Atkinson. "In order for us to have it ready for the fair, I do need to order supplies by the end of this month because we're six weeks out on some of the orders to get here."
The installation of the hookups is priced at $15,350 from a licensed
electrician. The request for approval stated the project can be completed before July 1 if approval is granted by the end of the month.
The 2023 Barton County Fair is July 5-9.