Fair Board Minutes – April 13th 2026

Monday, April 13, 2026

PRESENT: Justin Koenigsfeld Chairperson, Derrick DeHaan Vice Chair Wendy Wagner, Gary Irgens, Jennefer Wheeler Fairgrounds Manager, Dale Butori

ABSENT:

GUESTS: Missy Thielen

6:33PM CALL MEETING TO ORDER

Justin Koenigsfeld called the meeting to order.

6:33PM APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Derrick DeHaan motioned to approve April 13, 2026, Fair Board Agenda. Dale Butori seconded the motion. The motion carried. 4 Ayes. 0 Nays. 0 Absent.

6:34 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Wendy Wagner motioned to approve March 9, 2026, minutes. Derrick DeHaan seconded the motion. The motion carried. 4 Ayes. 0 Nays. 0 Absent.

6:35 PM MANAGERS REPORT

Jennefer gave them a list of the events present and past that have happened at the Fairgrounds since the previous meeting.  Jennefer let the Board know that Darcy has the Main night show acts addendum back to redo per Commission request.  She hopes to have it back to Jennefer to send back to Ward tomorrow. Commission approved Butch Roberts to help work the arena and he is on the approved equipment user list.  Kali and Ryann will be coming back we are working on the other applicants so we can start interviews.  She would like to have 2 of you present. Dale asked why only 2. It is so that we don’t have to post a quorum and it makes it a bit less intimidating to the kids for the interviews.

6:46 PM EXTENSION REPORT

No one appeared from Extension.

6:46 PM PUBLIC COMMENT

Missy Thielen was curious about who takes care of the 4H indoor judges. Jennefer said that the Extension office has in the past.  She can see what she can find of who they used in the past for a reference and get it to her. They do overlap and use them for Open Class also. They are working on delegating duties within the clubs and with Maddie and she thought since she was at the Livestock Meeting, she would just come in and make sure they all know they want to work with all of us together and that the Club Leaders are willing to step up and help.  The Board was appreciative to hear from them.  Missy let them know that their next 4H council meeting is out here on April 20th at 5:30 pm. Jennefer will attend to answer what she can, and Dale Butori would like to attend also. Missy Thielen left the meeting.

6:57 PM OLD BUSINESS

Patio Band-Jennefer talked with Tom and the Way Out West Band for the patio. The Board agreed to

have Jennefer book them. Justin Koenigsfeld asked for a motion to approve the Way Out West Band. Dale Butori motioned to approve The Way Out West Band for the Patio band for the 2026 Fair. Wendy Wagner seconded the motion. The motion carried. 4 Ayes. 0 Nays. 0 Absent.

Discussion followed about asking the State FFA winners to announce our Night Shows. We could video it and then put it on our Social Media account.  Jennefer will talk with Abby Wolentz, the FFA Leader, about this.

4th Of July-The Dirt has been secured, and the contracts are all signed, Jennefer will get the

Chamber/SMART all the information to start advertising for this.

Rodeo Prizes-Jennefer asked if anyone had any ideas for giving the contestants their gifts for the Rodeo wins.  She printed out what Montana Silversmiths had available. Everyone looked through the printouts and agreed upon the red, white and blue hat pin.  Jennefer will get those ordered along with the Jr Barrel buckle and Mutton Bustin buckles.

Wendy Wagner motioned to for us to give the hat pins picked. Derrick DeHaan seconded the motion.

The motion carried. 4 Ayes. 0 Nays. 0 Absent.

6:57 PM NEW BUSINESS

25-26 Budget-We discussed anything that needed to be looked up.  The Marquis sign was brought up and how we go about asking for different things for the Fairgrounds. The older board members answered questions the new board members asked. We will go through this at our next meeting as it’s due at the end of May. Once the Commission has the meeting set up, some of the Board members are encouraged to attend. We need to get bids on taking the trees down in front of Grandstands Derrick did mention.  The bark has pretty much fallen from them, and Jennefer did mention part of one fell over during the earlier windstorms.  Jennefer will see if Lisa Passmore can get a bid and see if Bob’s Tree Service will also. Jennefer will ask Commission how they feel about removing the Crows Nest in the Barn.  It would give more room, and it hasn’t been used in many years that anyone can remember.

P and A Media-This is a new radio station out of Glendive area.  They are asking if we would like to advertise with them. Dale Butori commented he thinks that we need to advertise more as he would like to see that we must turn people away because we are sold out. The other board members are not sure that many people are listening to the radio as much as they once were with streaming services, etc. We will table until next meeting.

Chairman Koenigsfeld asked if there was any other business we needed to discuss.

7:52PM Adjourn

Chairman Justin Koenigsfeld asked for a motion to adjourn.

Derrick DeHaan motioned to adjourn the meeting. Wendy Wagner seconded the motion. The motion carried. 4 Ayes. 0 Nays.  0 Absent.

Next Meeting:

Regular meeting May 11, 2026, 6:30 pm at the Fair Office

ADJOURN:

s/ Justin Koenigsfeld, Chairman

ATTEST:

s/Jennefer Wheeler, Fairgrounds Manager