Fair Board Minutes – August 4th 2025

Monday August 4, 2025
PRESENT: Matt Plaisted, Chairman, Derrick DeHaan, Wendy Wagner, Justin Koenigsfeld, Leighton
Bilbrey
Jennefer Wheeler Fairgrounds Manager
ABSENT:
GUESTS: Dave Kirschten, Julie Straub

6:30PM CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Matt Plaisted called the meeting to order.

6:30PM APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Leighton Bilbrey motioned to approve August 4, 2025, Fair Board Agenda. Justin Koenigsfeld seconded
the motion. The motion carried. 4 Ayes. 0 Nays. 0 Absent.

6:31 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Justin Koenigsfeld motioned to approve July 21, 2025, minutes. Leighton Bilbrey seconded the
motion. The motion carried. 4 Ayes. 0 Nays. 0 Absent.

6:32 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 has arranged for scooters to get to Baker but may need a ride
back to Billings. Could the dumpsters get moved. Runnings asked if we need any other stock tanks or
water donated. We are good
with stock tanks, and we could maybe use water. PBS may be around during our Fair doing a video for
a documentary about Rural Montana. Double checking on who was all bringing hay. Braun Ranch, Star
X and Dirk O’Connor. Mike called on Friday and he was working on the grandstand’s bathroom fixes
and the hot water heater is toast in there. He ordered parts for it and the toilet that is falling
off the wall.

6:35 PM EXTENSION REPORT
Dave Kirschten gave an update of the things Extension has been doing. He appreciated that Jennefer
let them use
the hall last minute on their Tri County Weed Tour. Barn Set up was July 31. They appreciated the
help of Jennefer, Summer crew and the Board members that attended. Their Show Em jackpot was up
from last year. They have decided to serve some breakfast and lunch options during the Horse Show
on Tuesday. They had some electricity that was not working. Derrick DeHaan reminded them it
could’ve been tripped on the GFCI. Jennefer
said now that they are all in place the crew will be placing the garbage cans. She gave him a list
of Board members and numbers for Fair. Fans should all be done and working. Dave wanted to
reiterate after Fair he would like to meet with Commission, Fair Board and 4H Council and Livestock
and discuss the barn expansion plans in detail.

6:45 PM PUBLIC COMMENT
Jared Singer wanted to know how the camping works for Fair. Jennefer explained that we allow
4H/FFA and our vendors 1st chance at spots. Then it first come, first serve at the spots.
Jennefer has had a lot of inquiries due to all the campgrounds being full this year. Wendy will
let Jared know how it works. We do try to promote all utilize those before coming to the
fairgrounds.

6:47 PM OLD BUSINESS
Vendor/Merchandise Contracts-Jennefer added to their packet all the vendors that have committed to
being at the Fair. The building is full this year.
Sponsorships-Jennefer provided a list of the Sponsors to date. Jennefer said that she hadn’t heard
from
Austin with Bowman yet. Leighton will send him another note.
Night Show Motorhome-We will use Jennefer’s camper.
Barn Fans-Barn fans are completed.
Light Plants-Jennefer will have a couple from Bryce Lecoe also.
Breakfast/Hospitality Tent-Dwight will cook again for us. Thee Garage is going to pay for the
wings. Only cooking for slack on Thursday morning. Wendy will be here at 4:45 am to get everything
ready to go. She has Jerri Breitbach, Sharon Tronstad and Connie Lohof helping again this year.
Rodeo Clown Flatbed trailer-We can use the county’s trailer Matt Plaisted already asked Bryan
Batchelor.

6:50 PM NEW BUSINESS
Handicap Stickers-Jennefer and Derrick were both asked about people sitting in the handicapped
seats on the bottom. How does the board feel about getting stickers made to put on the backs of
those seats. The Board agreed that it is a great idea. Jennefer will ask Sew What if they can get
those made up and we will put on them. Wendy Wagner motioned to approve handicap stickers made and
put on the seats of the grandstands. Leighton Bilbrey seconded the motion. The motion carried. 4
Ayes. 0 Nays. 0 Absent.
All Hay Donations-This was discussed earlier in the meeting.
Rodeo Office Tables-
Wendy Wagner motioned to approve Jennefer to order 6 new tables for under the Rodeo Office Tent.
Justin Koenigsfeld seconded the motion. The motion carried. 4 Ayes. 0 Nays. 0 Absent.
Other new business-Jennefer noticed the Baker Montana Blue signs have seen better days and she will see if Sew What can get them remade.
Wendy Wagner asked if anyone asked Deluxe Motors about the pickup for the barrels. Matt stated he
didn’t know anything about it. Wendy said she had just thought of it. Jennefer offered to call and
get that arranged. Wendy stated that the Tent went up well. Leighton has some guys coming to help.
Derrick DeHaan said that they will get the wood for the carvers coming and the dumpsters removed.
Matt said that he talked to Eddie Coulter and Mike Lohof, and they are not going to be helping in
the rodeo arena this year. What colors are we wearing, Thursday will be blue, and Saturday will be
pink. Banners will be put up on August 11th at 6pm. Gooseneck Implement talked with Matt, and they
will bring a tractor if they have one available. If not, Matt said he discussed with Bryan
Batchelor and we can use the County’s Case tractor. Zach and Austin will be here tonight between
8:30-9pm for arena light adjustment.
Jennefer brought up our next regular meeting, it would be Monday after Fair and she said she didn’t
think she would be ready for it if we could push it out. Matt stated it would be on August 25th.
Wendy asked Jennefer if that would work as she stated she would like to take Friday after Fair off
to flex some hours and take a break. Jennefer said she can make that work.

Matt asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.

7:04PM Adjourn
Derrick DeHaan motioned to adjourn the meeting. Justin Koenigsfeld seconded the motion. The motion
carried. 4 Ayes. 0 Nays. 0 Absent.
Next Meeting:
Regular meeting August 25, 2025, 6:30 pm at the Fair Office
ADJOURN:
s/ Matt Plaisted, Chairman

ATTEST:
s/Jennefer Wheeler, Fairgrounds Manager