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In addition to providing an indoor arena for 4-H shows, concerts, expos and other events, the Grand Event Center at the Mercer County Fairgrounds will eventually include stalls and wash bays for equine and cattle exhibitors.
CELINA - Community members came out to the Mercer County Fairgrounds Thursday evening to get their first view of the cavernous interior of the Grand Event Center, a versatile venue designed to host livestock shows, concerts and much more.
Families, groups and individuals streamed through the exterior "shell" of the 175-foot-by-400-foot Grand Event Center on the northwest side of the fairgrounds during a public preview tour.
"The community response has been phenomenal. Everybody's just so proud of it," a beaming Cara Muhlenkamp, the fairgrounds executive director, enthused. "What has really been neat is to see them see the potential and what it's going to be able to do for our community."
Most people don't realize just how big the Grand Event Center is until they walk inside, noted Becca Rindler, the fairgrounds' facility and development manager.
"I think it's really unique that they're able to actually see it in person," Rindler said.
Visitors streamed through the exterior "shell" of the 175-foot-by-400-foot Grand Event Center at the Mercer County Fairgrounds on Thursday evening.
Among those who made their way through the Grand Event Center, which is slated to be incorporated into the 2026 Mercer County Fair, were Mark and Megan Baker, and their son, Maverick. The family spends a good amount of time at the fair each year.
"It's exciting to see it come to life, and then just to read the list of opportunities that are going to come to the fairgrounds is exciting for them - and it's exciting for the community," Megan Baker said.
Some of of those opportunities, according to fair officials, include animal shows, rodeos, tractor pulls, concerts and music festivals, circuses, expos, swap meets, job fairs, corporate events, conferences and conventions, galas, fitness competitions, and a seasonal ice rink.
Maverick Baker has his heart set on one day seeing monster truck and dirt bike shows in the Grand Event Center.
"We're going to be able to do things that other counties aren't going to be able to. We're a step ahead of the game, and I think it's going to be nice for everybody," Mark Baker said.
"Not only for Mercer County," Megan added. "I think we're going to bring a lot of folks from surrounding counties and afar to Mercer County, which will help not only the fairgrounds, but locally here the economy will benefit."
Work on the Grand Event Center continued throughout the fall after the steel arrived in September.
Fair officials are nearing the completion of Phase 1 - the exterior shell, foundation and critical infrastructure to render the event center operational, according to Ryan Fennig, an event center commitee member and past fair board president.
Funding has been secured and bids have gone out for the lighting, HVAC and plumbing, fire suppression, and overhead doors.
However, in order to close out Phase 1 and optimize the event center for the 2026 Mercer County Fair and year-round events, several pieces of equipment still needs funded, purchased and/or installed: bleachers, stalls, pens, gates, sound system and Wi-Fi, a telehandler, fans, skid loader/tractor, announcer stand, wash bays, and rails.
The total cost of the remaining items is estimated at nearly $600,000.
"Finishing these items is especially important because Phase One needs to be complete for the 2026 Fair," Fennig said in a statement provided to The Daily Standard. "Our equine and cattle exhibitors will begin moving into this new facility, and we want them to experience the safest, most functional, and most efficient space possible."
What's more, the Mercer County 4-H program continues to grow each year.
"We are simply outgrowing our current facilities," Fennig said. "This new event center finally gives our equine program what it has long needed - a true indoor arena. It also provides our cattle exhibitors with more stalling, improved flow, and a significantly larger and safer show arena."
The upgrades, Fennig insisted, directly support the youth who invest their time and passion into livestock and agricultural education.
Succeeding project phases to enhance comfort, convenience and the overall experience for exhibitors, guests and the public will be undertaken as funding allows. Phase 2 is restrooms and concessions and Phase 3 is additional stalling and expanded wash racks.
Fair officials are looking to the public - businesses, organizations, individuals - for financial contributions to bring the project to fruition.
"It's going to be a wonderful asset for Mercer County. There's nothing close to this anywhere in the region, so it's just going to be phenomenal, the events it's going to draw and what it's going to do for our fair, just continuing to build here in Mercer County," Mercer County Commissioner Brian Miller said. "The part that's amazing is how supportive our people are of the fairgrounds and the community and that these are donations to get us to this point."
