Ever since the Montgomery County Junior Fair Board was formed last year, it performed many duties such as helping out with the day-to-day operations at the Montgomery County Fair and coming up with ideas of new events.

Now, this group of college and high school students is working on a big project. With the Montgomery County Fair coming this summer, the Junior Fair Board is helping renovate the Merchants Building.

“The Junior Fair Board has been an exceptional addition to the Montgomery County Fair Society,” said Chasity Lichtenberg, secretary to the Fair Board. “They are such a wonderful group of hardworking individuals. We wouldn’t be able to get everything done without them.”

Work started on the Merchants Building in late January. Lichtenberg said she hopes the full renovation will be done before the fair, which is scheduled for July 17-22.

“It is 95 percent completed at this time,” Lichtenberg said. “Most of everything has new paint. There is all new lighting throughout the building. The bathrooms have new fixtures. The men’s bathroom has been re-configured a little bit as well. We still need to complete the kitchen and the main floor in between the rentals over the next couple of months.”

Exhibits are held at the Merchants Building during the fair. Other events such as Hometown Christmas and the Montgomery County Old Threshers Toy Show also held at the building.

Lichtenberg said the board members began talking about fixing up the building before the New Year began.

“The Merchants Building hasn’t been updated since the 1980’s and was in need of some major updates to make it more presentable for fundraisers, weddings, parties and other various fair events,” the secretary said.

A new group of Junior Fair Board members was formed this year. The members are Macy Bader, Alli Boedges, Molly Causey, Derrick Cobb, Gracie Cobb, Madison Coleman, Josh Gilbert, Brayden Harris, Cora Johnson, Libby Kleinsorge, Elizabeth Mueller, Maddi Poage, Ray Poston, Annie Robinson, Brayden Rose, Presley Schluss, Kadyn Schmidt, Carie Schroer, Braden Schutt, Malerie Schutt, Shea Stille, Lexy Veach and Machaela Wehrle.

The members came up with an idea of having a fundraiser called Blacklight Bingo and Taco Bar, which is scheduled for April 13 at the Merchants Building. The event has been sold out.

“Since the Fair Society is self-funded, that meant they would have to host a fundraiser to raise funds to add exciting new ideas to the fair,” Lichtenberg said. “So, after some discussion, Blacklight Bingo & Taco Bar was created. It sounded like our supporters were fully on board since we sold out of tickets in about eight hours with a full waiting list in case any additional tables become available! We are very excited for this event!”

The Vegas Night fundraiser is scheduled for March 25 at the Merchants Building. Lichtenberg said there are less than 10 tickets remaining for the event.

The Montgomery County Fair Board recently received a $10,000 check from MFA to help with other improvements at the Fairgrounds.

“When we applied for the MFA grant, we were hoping to maybe get maybe a $1,000 or $2,500 grant at most to help with the construction costs of adding on to our steer barn this year,” Lichtenberg said. “With the cost of everything skyrocketing since this project started, we couldn’t be more thankful and excited that we were awarded $10,000. Even though we will likely still be a little over budget on the project, we are still on schedule to get an addition to the steer barn, along with a new wash rack area and the new tub system for weigh-ins all completed prior to the fair.”