By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Buchanan County could hold a county fair in the future.
But, first, the county must buy the ground.
Presiding Commissioner Scott Nelson says the county has reached an agreement with the East Buchanan School District to buy the school building in Easton once the district moves the middle school to a new building in Gower. Nelson says the county has agreed to pay up to $250,000 for the school building and land out of economic development funds.
The County Commission has approved a fair board.
Nelson says a fairground could open possibilities for county residents, especially young people.
“I envision a place where people can gather and I’m not going to limit it to kids showing their animals. That’s going to be a big part, at least initially, because that is the number one priority, I believe, that the board will have. We want to get a show arena for the kids to show; 4-H, FFA,” Nelson says during an appearance on the KFEQ Hotline.
Nelson says finalizing the purchase will open a range of opportunity for the county.
“I can imagine a one or two-day fair that we have there in Easton, Missouri for Buchanan County, for the kids,” Nelson says. “And I can see pop up trucks and I can see big balloons. I can see arts.”
Nelson says the decision of the East Buchanan School District to move the middle school to Gower open an opportunity for Buchanan County. Nelson says the County Commission is considering buying additional land adjourning the middle school.
“The school building itself offers a lot of meeting space. It has a commercial kitchen, has a gymnasium,” Nelson says. “And, maybe there’s going to be a renter there, maybe another organization will be there, because if you have traffic and you have presence, then I think you open yourself up for success.”
Nelson says the big question is whether a fairground would make Buchanan County better.
“I believe a fairground would benefit our county,” Nelson says. “Why wouldn’t it? We’re the biggest county, not land, but population-wise, in the northwest corridor. Why wouldn’t we have a fairground?”
Nelson says East Buchanan anticipates finishing this school year at Easton, then moving the middle school to Gower to start the next school year.
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