Three County Fairgrounds Receive Grinnell Mutual Fairground Facelift Grants
Grinnell, Iowa (PRWEB) June 05, 2015 -- Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company announces the three county fairgrounds that will receive a total of $3,500 in grants through the Fairground Facelift. Based on votes from Facebook users, Grinnell Mutual will distribute grant funding for the following fairground improvement projects: Jasper County Fairgrounds in Rensselaer, Ind.; Chisago County Fairgrounds in Rush City, Minn.; and Madison County Fairgrounds in Winterset, Iowa.
“Fairground Facelift has helped raise awareness for county fairs,” said Jim Ed Beach, president of the Madison County Livestock and Fair Association. “We’re happy Grinnell Mutual has this program in place.”
Grinnell Mutual received over 140 project submissions from 11 Midwest states. Facebook users cast more than 7,600 votes for their favorite projects among the 10 finalists. The three grant recipients were chosen based on the number of votes received.
“Whether you submitted a local fairground project for consideration or voted for a project finalist, your participation celebrates the role of the local fairground in bringing communities together,” said Grinnell Mutual Director of Advertising and Community Relations Barb Baker.
First place – Jasper County Fairgrounds
Jasper County Fairgrounds will receive $2,000 to renovate grandstands by replacing wooden seats with aluminum and installing railings on aisles, making the grandstands safer and more accessible.
“They need to be safer. They have been there a long time,” said Sharon Blasky, co-treasurer of the Jasper County Fair Association. “We started on one portion a couple years ago by replacing the old wooden seats, kickboards, and footboards with aluminum.”
The project is about two-thirds of the way toward completion.
“By being proactive and taking the time and interest in improving the grandstands, we can make it safer for our fairgoers,” said Blasky.
Second place – Chisago County Fairgrounds
Chisago County Fairgrounds will receive $1,000 to modernize its restrooms to accommodate families and seniors.
“Our restrooms have been in disarray for many years. The men’s restroom is one of the original buildings on the fairgrounds, and people have complained about the port-a-potties,” said Sue Hochstatter, a volunteer with the Chisago County Fair who submitted the Fairground Facelift project.
“We’re trying to clean up the fairgrounds and make it more family-friendly. If people can’t use the restrooms, they may not go to the fair. This project will show our fairgoers that we’re improving their fair experience.”
Third place – Madison County Fairgrounds
Madison County Fairgrounds will receive $500 to replace broken wooden picnic tables with metal ones.
“We’re in the process of upgrading a lot of the facilities at the fair,” said Beach. “Purchasing new picnic tables should provide years of enjoyment for our community.”
About the Fairground Facelift
Grinnell Mutual hosted the Fairground Facelift on its Front Porch, a community page on Facebook and Twitter where people join in conversations about life in the country and on the farm. Learn more about Grinnell Mutual’s Front Porch at http://www.grinnellmutual.com/content/front-porch-blog/.
Visit grinnellmutual.com to sign up for notifications about the Fairground Facelift.
Miranda Munson, Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, +1 (641) 269-8126, [email protected]
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