OUR MISSION
To produce an exceptional county fair, administer the year round use of the fairgrounds, and bring the community together to promote our western heritage and rural traditions.
Our board consists of seven local citizens who volunteer their time to carry out the board’s mission. We report directly to the Board of County Commissioners and are subject to open meeting laws and follow county budgeting procedures. We meet on the second Wednesday of each month from 7-9pm in the commissioner’s room of the county courthouse. Our meetings are always open to the public. Minutes from our meeting are posted on the Teton County website the following month.
Fair Board members:
John Smaellie, Chair
Roger Kaufman, Co Chair
Cara Olaveson
Brenda Simril
Jared Bevan
Jason Wilcox
Kade Mangum
Fair Board Staff:
Lane Hillman
Hallie Poirier
Fair Board Minutes:
Fair Week: Fair Board meetings daily pertaining to Fair 5:30pm
September meeting cancelled
January 2022
2020 Master Plan
The Fair Board has worked on a revised master plan to accommodate the goals and future events for potential community use at the County Fairgrounds. Teton County Fairgrounds is geographically located in the center between the municipalities of Victor, Driggs and Tetonia. The Fairgrounds is an incredible place with top notch views for the community to celebrate life. Whether it is a small family picnic at the park, a volleyball game after work, a horse clinic, watching the rodeo, experiencing the Balloon Rally festival, entering a homemade favorite in open class during Fair, or buying a sheep to help support the hard working 4-H kids, life is experienced at the Fairgrounds. Major life events are also celebrated at the Fairgrounds. Celebrations include birthdays, baby showers, weddings, family reunions, memorials and Quinceaneras. How fortunate our community is to have a place big enough to accommodate these wonderful celebrations -including parking!
The County High School programs, University of Idaho Extension, Teton County and 4-H clubs are all frequent users of the County Fairgrounds. The Fair Board also supports and sponsors a number of non profit year round events. With the growing popularity and demand for use of the fairgrounds buildings and amenities, the Fair Board has updated their master plan to address the current and future needs of our valley.
The Fair Board is responsible for planning, organizing, and producing the annual County Fair. The annual Fair provides open class exhibits, workshops, livestock shows and night time events offering a range of community opportunities and experiences. Last year the Fairgrounds sponsored over 500 people to visit the Historical Museum. What a great way for locals and visitors to learn about the history and traditions of this Valley!
The Fair Board is responsible for fundraising, advertising, and collaborating with our 4-H, Rodeo, local non- profits and other partners for year round events.
The Fair Board is responsible for the oversight and care of the fairground's public land and building facilities as well as maintaining any equipment/supplies used in the building, pavilion and arena.
Fairgrounds Facilities and Amenities:
The fairgrounds sits on nearly 40 acres, with approximately 20 acres of open space for public use .It is also available for rent for large events including hot air balloon rallies, outdoor adventure training, grass drags, skijoring, motorsport exhibitions and future concert venues.
The 5,500 sq ft Fair Building includes a modern kitchen, smaller meeting room and a 3,500 sq ft open room.
The building is available for rent whether you need an hour or to host a week long event. It is the only affordable venue for larger events and parties in the county including weddings, family reunions, Quinceaneras, non-profit events and parties.
Custom 8.5 x 20 Food Trailer. Currently we offer the food trailer to our Fairgrounds Partners: 4H, the School District and County entities for free. It is also available for private rentals providing an alternative way to cater a wedding or family reunion.
The outdoor Riding Arena is Teton Valley’s largest public outdoor arena. It is the perfect venue for rodeos, roping, barrel racing and horse events, lessons and clinics.
The 15,000 sq ft Pavilion is Teton Valley’s largest public indoor riding facility. It is the perfect venue for horse events, ranch ropings, lessons and clinics.
Lewis-Parish Park and Picnic Shelter consists of 4 acres of mowed fields, a sand volleyball court and horse shoe pit. It is a perfect open area to set up an event tent or host a field day. The picnic shelter may be rented for private gatherings. It is a covered and lighted 1350 sq ft area that includes 16 large picnic tables.
The Fair Board has an incredible vision of the Fairgrounds' potential which includes: rezoning the property for RV camping sites, an indoor arena, a bigger outdoor arena with covered grandstands, new administration offices for both the Fairgrounds and 4-H, classroom and storage space for both Fair Board and 4H purposes. With the help of the updated County Improvement Plan, funds should be allocated to improve and grow the Fairgrounds’ amenities per our 2020 Fairgrounds Master Plan via the possible phases.
Phase I
Livestock shed to shelter animals year round and during Fair $10,000.00 - $28,000.00
Fair Board purchased 4 livestock stalls and panels at the end of 2020 to increase the demand of livestock overnight boarding. These stalls are currently moveable, however the goal is to erect a covered shelter for livestock near the west end of the pavilion for ease of access during fair and livestock shows. The design is to allow for additional stalls as the need arises.
A playground for the Lewis-Parish Park $32,000.00 - $40,000.00
The current playground area was constructed in the 1980s and consists of two teeter-totters constructed from irrigation pipe. Although beloved and still used today, they are not very safe and only accommodate 8 children at a time. The fair building has a capacity to host functions for up to 245 people and the teeter-totters often provide entertainment for 20-30 children (as many as they pack on!). The upgraded playground will not only provide a safe place for children ages 5- 12 to play while attending events at the fairground, it will also be used by families visiting our local museum, tourists staying at the motel across the street and locals looking for a fun, free and safe entertainment option for their small children.
Landscaping for the Lewis-Parish Park $8,000.00 10-15 semi mature trees, 3 mature trees, shrubs, irrigation improvements
The current park area is a grassy unirrigated field. With landscaping improvements, it has the potential to be a beautiful community outdoor space. Connected to the park, is our future community garden.
The Fair Board in collaboration with University of Idaho Extension, Teton County are currently seeking grants to revamp the 4500 square feet garden footprint to create a viable community garden for Teton Valley. The Master Gardeners and Bee Keeping programs will provide the community with ongoing educational opportunities and support residents who need garden space, materials, and technical assistance to successfully garden in our area. The Food Pantry is located directly across highway 33 making it easy to distribute locally grown goods to those community members in need. This project is being launched as part of the 2021 Teton Valley Earth Day Celebration (April 22-24th). With the Fairgrounds being a focal point for the culmination and exhibition of agricultural related programs and other community events, it is the perfect location for a community garden.
Permanent event stage 4 ft in height, 12 ft covered roof in the Lewis-Parish Park for future concert venues, rental opportunities and use during Fair. $25,000 - $100,000
The Fair Board would like to build an event stage in the Lewis-Parish Park area. The stage would address the need for the events and activities during fair week while extending the opportunity throughout the summer and fall to host outdoor programs and musical events. Teton Valley loves music. While there are opportunities to see live music in the valley, some are now so crowded, too expensive, or require a 45 min drive, that a local, easily accessible venue is needed. This would help address the valley’s ever increasing demand for a place to gather and enjoy music.
Summary of Phase I Projects
Livestock shed to shelter animals year-round and during Fair : $10,000 - $28,000
Playground : $32,000 - $40,000
Landscaping : $8,000
Event Stage : $25,000 - $100,000
Phase I Totals : $75,000 - $176,000
Phase II
Facade for the Fair Building: Our timber-built, metal siding building would be a lot easier on the eyes with a welcoming wood facade. Plans are available from the 2016 building remodel, unfortunately due to lack of funds the facade was never complete. $7,000 - $15,000
Expand the Fair Building to the west to add public restrooms and drinking water facilities $60,000 - $70,000
With the popularity of the Lewis-Parish Park, Community Garden and now with an event stage, the fairgrounds will undoubtedly need an outdoor restroom facility, two unisex bathrooms with access to a water fill station.
Expand the Pavilion by 60’ to the east for a warm-up area between the pavilion and future indoor arena. $129,000
The indoor riding pavilion is popular year-round. From open riding, private rentals, horse clinics, HS Rodeo practice, HS winter sports and other pavilion users and let’s not forget Fair, the 15,000 sq ft area fills up quickly. An additional 60 feet would provide a warm up area for horse events and help mitigate congestion during fair week to accommodate the animals, the public and the showing pen with a little more breathing room.
Add on to the livestock shed as demand and funds allow : $30,000 - $60,000
Summary of Phase II Projects
Façade Fair Building - $7,000 - $15,000
Public restrooms (2) and drinking water facilities near west side of Fair Building - $60,000 - $70,000
Expand the Riding Pavilion by 60’ to the east for warm up area between the pavilion and future indoor arena - $129,000
Add on to the livestock shed - $30,000 - $60,000
Phase II Totals : $266,000 - $274,000
Phase III
Indoor arena with an attached south facing building. This building will include Fair Board and 4-H office spaces, a conference room, public restrooms and storage space for Fair Board equipment. University of Idaho Extension could share costs. $3,351,000
With the shared goals and common missions of the Fair Board and University of Idaho Extension, Teton County it only makes sense for the two to be housed at the fairgrounds. UofI and the 4-H clubs are frequent fairgrounds users. The growing demand and need for space for the 4-H clubs as well as the ongoing conundrum of where to house UofI Extension would be addressed with shared office space, classrooms for the 4-H clubs and a conference room for public or private meetings.
The Fair Board’s responsibility and care of the fairground's public land and building facilities as well as maintaining any equipment/supplies used in the building, pavilion and arena require machinery. A storage building would be shared by the Fair Board and UofI Extension to safely store machinery used on a daily basis.
Summary of Phase III Projects
Indoor Arena
Bleachers
Attached south facing building to Indoor Arena for Fair Board and 4-H offices, conference room, public restrooms and maintenance equipment
Phase III Totals : $3,531,000
Phase IV
Outdoor arena with covered grandstands. A warm-up pen will connect the outdoor arena to the indoor arena north of the covered grandstands. $700,000 - $1,000,000
Current events and Fairgrounds users are growing monthly. From our annual Fair, Teton Valley Rodeo, 4-H various animal, art, culinary, outdoor clubs, Basin Barrel Racing Association, High School Rodeo, Teton Valley Balloon Rally, Utah Horse Pullers Association, Dog Training groups, Teton Wilderness Adventures, Skyliner motor club events to dry camping RV groups, a new outdoor arena would not only better accommodate the current users but no question attract grater and diverse groups to enhance the community experiences at the Fairgrounds.
Summary of Phase IV Projects
Outdoor Arena with covered grandstands, and warm up pen connecting the outdoor arena to the indoor arena north of the covered grandstands : $700,000-$1,000,000
Phase IV Totals : $700,000 - $1,000,000
Phase V
RV Park on the south east parcel adjacent to the Teton Valley Museum. Rezoning of this parcel is needed. RV hook ups with water and electricity for overnight camping. Include landscaping. : $160,000
Summary of Phase V Projects
RV Park : $160,000
Phase V Totals : $160,000
Current events and Fairgrounds users: Fair, Teton Valley Rodeo, 4-H various animal, art, culinary, outdoor clubs, Basin Barrel Racing Association, High School Rodeo, Teton Valley Balloon Rally, Utah Horse Pullers Association, 401 School District, Teton Wilderness Adventures
Future events, festivals could include: music venues, art fairs, fall and or spring festival in collaboration with Teton Food and Farm Coalition, motorsports events, Mountain Man Rendezvous, non-profit fundraisers
The Teton County Fairgrounds is truly the gem of our community, the Fair Board has vision and the passion to help create a place for community experiences and family fun.
The following Fairgrounds Map indicates the approximate location of the proposed facilities.
