Fair Board Minutes – August 25th 2025
PRESENT: Derrick DeHaan, Wendy Wagner, Justin Koenigsfeld Vice Chairperson, Leighton Bilbrey Jennefer Wheeler Fairgrounds Manager
ABSENT: Matt Plaisted, Chairman
GUESTS: Dave Kirschten, Julie Straub, Kevin Braun
6:29PM CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Justin Koenigsfeld called the meeting to order.
6:30PM APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Wendy Wagner motioned to approve August 25, 2025, Fair Board Agenda. Leighton Bilbrey seconded the motion. The motion carried. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent.
6:30 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Derrick DeHaan motioned to approve August 4, 2025, minutes. Leighton Bilbrey seconded the motion. The motion carried. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent.
6:31 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 wanted to find out if the Board was ok to have Ayden Renner seasonal crew hand work a bit this fall and help with mowing and other things. The Board was great with that. Commissioner Braun did state that they discussed and are good with it also. I’m still getting invoices and things in the mail, so I don’t have all the expenses in yet. Jennefer would like to take the week of September 2-5 off if she is not called to Federal Jury Duty. For the HS Rodeo on September 6 & 7 they will need the water truck and tractor. Eddie Coulter is on our list of approved people to run it, and she will have it all ready for them. She will call and talk to the Road Department about the water truck being delivered here. The Rodeo Personnel gave some suggestions on things they would like to see different. We really can’t change the days of the rodeo, and it does cost us more but with the concerts taking longer to set up there is no way we can change it. After discussion the days will stay the same.
6:35 PM EXTENSION REPORT
Dave Kirschten gave a big thank you to Jennefer and her seasonal crew for all the help they provided before and during the Fair. The last 2 years of seasonals have been exceptional and he wanted everyone to know that. He was happy that the Board members that were there for set up helped and it made it easier for him to keep up with all his kids. Other than that, he didn’t have a lot of things to report upon. The next Livestock meeting will be October 6th and 4H Council will be on October 20th.
6:37 PM PUBLIC COMMENT
Commissioner Braun said it was a heck of a Fair. Great job to the Board members present for all they did for the 2025 Fair. He wanted to talk to the board with full transparency on the events with board member Plaisted and he knows the term is up but if we want to have it on record that we would like him removed we can do that. They would leave it open until the next term was to come up. Commissioner Braun stated that they aren’t in session until the week after Labor Day and he can take our minutes to the other Commissioners, and he would be doing so. Vice Chair Koenigsfeld stated that he would like us to do a vote on recommending that the Commission make a resolution that Matt Plaisted be removed immediately from the Board. He asked for a motion from the Board.
Leighton Bilbrey motioned to ask the Commission to make a resolution for removing Matt Plaisted from the Board immediately. Wendy Wagner seconded the motion. The motion carried. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent.
6:47 PM OLD BUSINESS
2025 Fair Recap
Carnival was great again. Jennefer did put us on their schedule for next year. She did discuss with Michelle with Midway if we increased price if we were able to get more rides. Michelle said she would be open to discuss that. She struggles this far into the season with rides breaking down and getting
them repaired. But that is an option.
Vendors were great. There was a complaint about food but Wendy told the member of the public we don’t regulate what or how they make their food. She suggested they discuss it with the vendor and let them know their issues.
Pippi has maybe run her course. She is a lot of work, and she is great with the kids, but she has called 2 or 3 times a day wanting to know if we want her back and then she is demanding our time during Fair. There are others out there we can look at RMAF/IAFE Conventions.
Maybe a tent for more shade and visiting in the food vendor court area for people to sit under that is a bit quieter.
Chainsaw guy was great and engaged with everyone a lot. We almost made back our money in our Silent Auction items.
Night show was a hit. Sold a lot of tickets and maybe it is good to change them to a rock band every couple of years. They made a cool video.
Comedian was good but not well received. There was about a whole section in there watching after we opened the doors. He was very funny. We will try something else next year.
Otherwise, we need to take down the tent, clean more on rodeo office and the horse needs to be taken down.
6:23 PM NEW BUSINESS
Justin Koenigsfeld said that the timed event area asked for a gate to be installed. He talked to Dustin Gorder about it and Derrick DeHaan asked if it was something prefabbed that Mitch could just weld on. Wendy asked how the Barn was, and Dave Kirschten said it went well. There were a few buddy pigs that maybe didn’t need to be in there. There will be more discussion on the barn expansion again. Dave would like to sit down with everyone and discuss it together. There are a lot of ideas, but he feels that everyone should brainstorm together. There was an issue of a couple of steers that were running loose. Dave said that it happens each year. Not sure how it happened but they are insured by the Insurance Store, and they couldn’t get out of the barn. Justin mentioned that if a bird or rabbit were to get out, they could though.
Justin asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Wendy said the parking on the east side of the barn was a mess. Triple parked and all over. She talked to Trent, and he said they aren’t policing the parking. Commissioner Braun suggested we panel off from the Barn to the Shop and put up no parking signs there. We could put up flagging and try to help the patrons park in the parking lot. There was a bit of discussion and complaints about the Handicap parking. It was better but we aren’t sure we have the manpower to really get it blocked completely. Wendy did say she was going to mention to the Derby they need to make sure they are telling their people not to park inside also where the handicap parking is.
Leighton said that Vern with C5 told him the chutes need leveled up. They are leaning and we aren’t the only rodeo with this problem. The horses will come out of them better if we do fix it. Derrick said they can level up better next year. Also, he would like the Board to know he has an opportunity of a lifetime and will probably be moving out of County at the end of the year. He will still come and help with the Rodeo. Wendy asked him if he will for sure help and he said yes. But it’s not happening until probably November. Commissioner Braun said we can visit about that when the time comes. Jennefer asked if they would open the board position or if there are enough applicants if they can be appointed. He said yes, that can be discussed with the ones that may still be interested.
Wendy said that we need a new Sew What, Quality Transportation Banner and Heiser’s Bar. We need State of MT flags for back and Jennefer said she needs new ones up front too. The Flag girls need a new State of Montana redone, Justin boots and a TETWP.
Jennefer asked Commissioner Braun what she should do with the van. He said to call and have the County Road Dept come get it and they will put it up on auction. Jennefer will get that, and the sand scheduled to be back in the barn.
7:35PM Adjourn
Vice Chairman Justin Koenigsfeld asked for a motion to adjourn.
Leighton Bilbrey motioned to adjourn the meeting. Derrick DeHaan seconded the motion. The motion carried. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent.
Next Meeting:
Regular meeting September 15, 2025, 6:30 pm at the Fair Office
ADJOURN:
s/ Justin Koenigsfeld, Vice Chairman
ATTEST:
s/Jennefer Wheeler, Fairgrounds Manager
