College student redesigns fair building for 4-H projects

(Sentinel photo by Beverly Van Buskirk) Fair board members Matt Reuter, Michael Beitelspacher, Candice Nash-Farrar and John Ahlers, along with 4-H member Daniel Ahlers, look over one of the newly constructed photo display units for the 4-H Building. The Hall of '84 is being transformed into a new 4-H exibit building and will hold all 4-H projects formerly displayed in the 4-H building. [Click to enlarge]

That's right, 4-H exhibits such as food, home improvement, photography and much more, which for years have been displayed in the 4-H Building on the fairgrounds will move to the west, in what has been known as the Hall of '84.

"The Hall of '84 will be finished this year for 4-H exhibits. It will be pretty nice," said fair board president Terry Reuter as he talked about the 2009 fair.

"Two years ago, fair board members looked at the Hall of '84 and determined it was under-utilized," said Carol Schneider, Plymouth County Extension Education Director and a fair board member. "So the suggestion was made at that time that maybe 4-H exhibits could occupy that space and that would open up the 4-H building for the open classes such as horticulture and creative arts."

In late 2007, Schneider contacted the Iowa State University College of Design. A senior student, Erin Brady, agreed to design an exhibition hall for the 4-H program and did the work as her senior project.

"We also went to the Clay County Fair where they had recently renovated their 4-H exhibition area to see what they had done," Schneider said. She noted an ISU student had also done the design work for that facility.

Brady presented her ideas to the fair board in January 2008, both for the Hall of '84 and the original 4-H building.

"She had good ideas that we followed," said Reuter. "It was worth the time spent on it."

Work started for the 2008 fair, when a number of display components were built and integrated into the old 4-H building.

Reuter said three fair board members, John Ahlers, Matt Reuter and Michael Beitelspacher, spent the past winter building the step benches and blocks which will be used to display 4-H projects.

Much of the plywood was cut at Drico Products Inc. in Le Mars.

"That was a big help. They could do it so much faster," Terry Reuter said.

Slot boards, such as that used in retail stores, will allow 4-H'ers to use hooks, hangers and shelving to display their projects.

Display units with carpet will allow 4-H'ers to use velcro circles to hang photography projects.

"We typically have more than 700 photos entered," said Schneider.

Grand champion projects will be displayed in the center of the building on free standing slot board display units.

"We will still have the same features of the 4-H clubs displaying exhibits by club," said Schneider. They will be very easy to see."

Schneider said all will be visible from all entrances. The old 4-H building had two walls and partitions, which split the clubs into at least two rooms.

All 24 4-H Clubs, FFA chapters and the Clover Kids Club will have displays in the building.

The Plymouth County 4-H program, Ann Schoenrock (4-H Youth Coordinator) and Schneider appreciate all the volunteers who have made the move possible, Schneider added.

"This is a kind of a dream exhibition hall," Schneider said. "It will really be nice for events like Pride of Iowa and even our working exhibits if we have to move those indoors," Schneider continued.

Fair board member Darla Zellmer has spent a lot of time painting the building and display components.

"Everyone is excited by the progress we've made. The components will allow our members to utilize the space well in displaying their projects," Zellmer said.

The project is funded by many individual and business donations, according to Schneider. The board also received a nearly $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Plymouth County.

Also added were two changing rooms which will allow 4-H members one more place to quickly change clothing for another event during the day, or get ready for the clothing review.

The move by 4-H'ers to the Hall of '84 opened up the former 4-H building for new displays.

The open classes from the Round Barn will now move to the former 4-H building.

Creative Hobbies and Art and Antiques and Collectibles will be housed in the center room of the former 4-H building, while the Horticulture, Food and Preservation will occupy the north end of the building.

Reuter said the board plans to put air conditioning in the north end of the building. That area, Schneider noted, has a lower ceiling and is insulated which would be ideal for an air conditioned area.

Reuter said the Round Barn will have more agriculture-related displays. This year that will include farm machinery by the Pioneer Machinery Club and two ag machinery wood carving exhibits.