Fair Board Minutes – November 17th 2025

Monday, November 17, 2025
PRESENT: Justin Koenigsfeld Chairperson, Derrick DeHaan Vice Chairperson, Wendy Wagner, Gary
Irgens, , Jennefer Wheeler Fairgrounds Manager, Dale Butori via TEAMS
ABSENT: GUESTS:
6:30PM CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Justin Koenigsfeld called the meeting to order.
6:30PM APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Wendy Wagner motioned to approve November 17, 2025, Fair Board Agenda. Derrick DeHaan seconded the
motion. The motion carried. 4 Ayes. 0 Nays. 0 Absent.

6:32 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Wendy Wagner motioned to approve October 21, 2025, minutes. Gary Irgens seconded the motion. The
motion carried. 4 Ayes. 0 Nays. 0 Absent.

6:33 PM MANAGERS REPORT
Jennefer gave them a list of the events present and past that have happened at the Fairgrounds
since the previous meeting. The south side of the Barn is fixed. Chuck Graham finished it. There
was no further damage inside. The hot water heater died in the Barn. Menger will get us a price to
replace. The window is broken in the Girl Scout booth and Jennefer is working on getting that
fixed. The chairs are here. Jennefer asked if
everyone could stay after and help assemble the stands, at least it would take less time. We also
learned that the clean out in the Barn from the kitchen needs to be done and Jennefer will get with
the Extension to make sure they know about it for the future.
6:36 PM EXTENSION REPORT
No one attended from Extension.
6:36 PM PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for public comment. During this Dale Butori board member wanted to discuss our
thoughts on moving the meeting to a different date. With his work schedule it’s impossible for him
to be here on the 3rd week. He can put in time off for sure for the Fair but he can’t not be in
Helena this week and he doesn’t feel doing a meeting through teams is the way to be on the Board.
Wendy Wagner suggested the 2nd Monday of the month.
Wendy Wagner motioned moving our Fair board meetings to the 2nd Monday of the month. Derrick
DeHaan seconded the motion. The motion carried. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Abstain (Dale Butori).
Gary Irgens then asked about the front entry. If we were going to expand the entrance or do
anymore
to it. Wendy Wagner spoke that we voted as a previous board and picked this design from 3 choices
that had gates and different looks. This was the one that everyone agreed upon and the Commission
approved. It can be brought up again and we can look into budgeting for more. Gary Irgens also
asked what updates we had about the sound system. Jennefer said we probably won’t get anything done
until spring and she can reach out to Curt.
6:39 PM OLD BUSINESS
RMAF Recap/Votes if needed
LAL-Jennefer gave the Board a proposal from them on what they can offer. The Board asked Jennefer
to call and see how many of each of the events they would provide. If they are happy when Jennefer
gets an answer, she will text and send out the email or text with the updates.
Wendy Wagner motioned to approve the LAL Proposal if there enough acts. Derrick DeHaan seconded the
motion. The motion carried. 4 Ayes. 0 Nays. 0 Absent.
Worlds Funnest-Jennefer gave them the rates for photo’s only and with the stilt guy. Wendy feels
everyone really likes them. Dale asked what they did and we explained that it is a free picture
booth under then Grandstands. Justin entertained a motion.

Derrick DeHaan motioned to approve Worlds Funnest with stilts. Wendy Wagner seconded the motion.
The motion carried. 4 Ayes. 0 Nays. 0 Absent.
Barnology-Wendy was not in favor of the petting zoo this year. Dale said that if kids want to see
those animals they are in the barn. The Board discussed this and decided not to have a petting
zoo. Gary Irgens asked about pig races. That is an option and he can get some prices and numbers
on it. Wendy Wagner said there will be many options to look at IAFE.
IAFE- Need to look for Freestage musical acts. Dale has a friend that does a stage/magic act with
bubbles. He will get Jennefer some of this information.
Night Show-The Board gave out some of their ideas of who maybe would be great to see for our Night
Show on Friday night. Derrick DeHaan will get them to RKZ Live and see what he says. Discussion on
increasing the price of the night show tickets was had. Are we comparing to other towns with
bigger shows. Wendy said that other areas near us are charging quite a bit more for the same era of
acts. We will table that until our next meeting and see where we are on our choices.
7:19 PM NEW BUSINESS Circuit Finals-Jan 15-17, 2026. Advertising/Tickets
Do we want to sponsor the hospitality room again. We pay a fee and get our banner on the wall and
they feed the contestants each night. Wendy, Derrick and Dale cannot attend. To get the tickets
at a Fair rate Jennefer will need to know by the 20th of November. Gary and Justin are maybes.
Jennefer will attend and will submit invoice for the Hospitality room if all approve. The Board
does not feel at this
time they want to advertise in the program.
Wendy Wagner motioned to approve sponsoring the Hospitality Room. Gary Irgens seconded the motion.
The motion carried. 4 Ayes. 0 Nays. 0 Absent.
Large Barn Door-Jennefer had Todd Griffith stop out on some weatherstripping that needed replaced
in the Barn and she asked him why the large West door was not closing all the way. With the
pending snow and winter. He said that the rail is bent in and cannot be bent out and fixed. She
submitted a bid on
what it will cost to replace the rail. The Board agreed it needs fixed.
Derrick DeHaan motioned to approve the Bid from Griffith Steel for the rail fix as long as
Commission
approves. Wendy Wagner seconded the motion. The motion carried. 4 Ayes. 0 Nays. 0 Absent.

Other New Business:
Dale Butori asked if we have entertained bidding on the MHSA Rodeo Finals again. Wendy Wagner said
that it got a bit too comfortable for the groups and it was very time-consuming and felt it wasn’t
a great time for it yet. Too fresh with all the work we put in and it got to be very disrespected
towards us. Not opposed but it was very hard to get the amount of volunteers needed also. Dales
brought up the Fire Suppression room and asked how it was. Jennefer explained it is winterized and
it calls to our dispatch if needed at this time instead of to her. She still will get calls but we
have helped it also. Dale said it is the
250th anniversary of Montana this coming year and would love to see more events at the fairgrounds.
There was discussion of doing something over the 4th of July. Concert, Laser/Drone shows. We will
look
at some of those at IAFE and see if we can find anything.
Vice Chairman Koenigsfeld asked if there was any other business we needed to discuss.

7:36PM Adjourn
Chairman Justin Koenigsfeld asked for a motion to adjourn.

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

Next Meeting:
Regular meeting December 8, 2025, 6:30 pm at the Fair Office

ADJOURN:
s/ Justin Koenigsfeld, Chairman
ATTEST:
s/Jennefer Wheeler, Fairgrounds Manager