This beef barn is representative of the many old buildings which grace the 154-year-old Blue Earth County Fairgrounds. The oak-covered fairgrounds sits along the Watonwan River in Garden City, Minnesota.
THE VOTE IS IN.
And if all goes as planned, the Blue Earth County Fair will move from an historic 154-year-old site in Garden City to within a two-mile radius of Mankato, 10 miles away.
Shareholders, during a special meeting Thursday evening, voted 175 in favor and 76 against to sell the long-time fairgrounds, according to an article in the Mankato Free Press. (Click here to read that story.) That sale authorization paves the way for possible construction of a new fairgrounds near Mankato, the county seat and county’s center of population.
For background on this story, click here and read my post, “Deciding the future of the historic Blue Earth County Fairgrounds.” Also click here to read an earlier post about my visit to the fairgrounds in July.
I am disappointed. Once an historic gem like this is lost, you can never replace it. Let’s hope, at least, that those old buildings can be saved.
And I wonder, too, whether simply moving the fair will increase attendance and push the fair out of debt.
This will be an interesting process, no matter what side of the issue you favor.
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Interesting. I had also hoped it would go the other way but I am honestly not surprised. I hope that it succeeds in all ways–that the buildings and grounds will be used for another great purpose and saved and that the new facilities will be a boon to the area. Keep us posted.
Yes, it’s best now to focus on turning this into a positive.
Are the shareholders interested only in “the bottom line?” It’s a shame that such a lovely old place will no longer be home to the fair. Can’t imagine that new buildings will be as aesthetically pleasing or that they could possibly have the appeal of the ones they are supposed to “replace.”
I can’t answer that question for you because the only info I have is what I read on the fair website and in news stories.
And, yes, I agree it’s a shame.
Disappointing indeed. Not a very good outlook with no new funds secured and the fact that “We’re very far in debt” doesn’t sound like a place I’d want to start over from. Perhaps they are looking at severing the offending appendage before they bleed out completely (not sure I got that saying correct) before looking forward.
Yeah, I don’t know either. It’s sure to continue to be a controversial topic, though, I bet.
I kinda figured that would be the outcome (realistically). Sad
I wasn’t sure, not knowing all the “players.”
True.
Oh No! I wish I had the monies to buy it and turn it into a camp for kids or for pets to live out the remainder of their years.
The fairgrounds is currently used as a campgrounds, too, Shady Oaks Campground.
Truthfully, I think the Blue Earth county fair will cease operation within the next 2-3 years if they cannot start making some funds and increase fair attendance. The larger issue at play is the fact that Mankato chooses to hold the BBQ Festival at the same time as the fair, and that along with the concerts they host during it, draw more in attendance, as most choose that over the fair.
It seems to me that Mankato BBQ Fest on the same weekend would be a contributing factor to low attendance. I honestly don’t think it’s the distance.
that is so sad…I agree with you, once a historic gem is lost, it is lost forever. Most places do not have such a rich history and to have it and lose it is horrible
Sad is right.
So sorry to see the decision that was made. A few years ago we went to my husband’s IBEW picnic there, I remember it was so quaint, it stuck in my memory.
Yes, you just don’t find places like this so much anymore.
That will indeed be interesting to see if/how it changes attendance and such. Will just moving a fair make people come? We’ll see!
Supposedly many more amenities will be added.