There is a lot more to the Berrien County Youth Fair than fried food, carnival rides and grandstand acts.

For the majority of the people who will be at the fairgrounds in Berrien Springs this week, the fair centers around the youth exhibits — from the swine show to the horse shows to the fruit pie contest.

Hundreds of school-aged youth from all over the county have been working hard over the past several months to prepare for the big event.

Others have been working diligently over the past couple years to raise money for a project that will give youth, adults and other fairgoers an even better fair experience —The EXPO Arena.

The multi-million dollar project includes three different sections: a Main Arena, Stables/Stalling Area and a Hospitality Center.

The Main Arena would allow for youth showing horses to have a truly grand stage indoors — one with seating for thousands of spectators.

There would also be classrooms that could double as skyboxes during a wide variety of events that could be held in the arena, including:

• Equine shows

• Tractor pulls

• Truck competitions

• Livestock exhibitions

• Home and garden shows

• Trade shows and conventions

• Farm events

• Concerts

• Boat shows

• RV shows

The possibilities are endless.

The Stables and Stalling Area will be able to accommodate more than 500 horses under one roof, allowing for dry conditions no matter water time of the year.

The project would also include the building of a Hospitality Center that could host a variety of events in addition to being the space for the box office, grand foyer and covered entrance.

On the outside the expo would include loading docks, an RV park and campground and lighted parking lots for the convenience of visitors.

The project, when finished, would allow for the possibility of further economic development in the area in addition to all the upgrades fairgoers would see at fair time. It would also attract other events throughout the year.

Organizers are in the process of securing donations for the EXPO arena and we encourage everyone to find out more — and to think about making a donation — at the project’s website: expoarena.org.

It would be a great addition to our community and its children.

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.