$1.65 million grant from HCCF to fund portion of grandstands
Harrison County Community Foundation (HCCF) is pleased to announce grant funding for erecting replacement grandstands at the Harrison County Fairgrounds. The $1.65 million grant approved by the HCCF Board of Directors will assist the Harrison County Agricultural Society (HCAS) in reaching a significant portion of its fundraising goal. HCAS is the independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that owns the fairgrounds where they conduct the annual Harrison County Fair.
The old 2,700-seat grandstands were removed in December 2022 after being deemed unsafe and economically unfeasible to renovate after almost 100 years of use, with 61 of those in Harrison County. Funding will be used to purchase repurposed grandstands from Memphis, Tennessee. These replacement grandstands will feature an increased capacity of 5,000 seats, backed seating, a new roof, and accommodations for accessibility. "HCCF is proud to help fund this important project," said HCCF President & CEO Julie Moorman. "We know the grandstands are a key part of the Fairgrounds and will serve many people in the community for decades to come.” Preparation work by North Carolina Welding can now begin and assembly is expected to start in late summer.
The project is a joint effort involving multiple partners, including Harrison County Government, the Town of Corydon, and the Indiana State Fair Grant Committee as well as HCCF and HCAS. “I am thankful we can create one of the largest outdoor event venues in our area that will be used to promote concerts and other large events,” said Kyle Nix, County Councilman. “It will be great to see what will be accomplished in that venue throughout the entire year because of having the seating capacity and a more modern, accessible grandstand.”
HCAS is hopeful that additional fundraising and sponsorship opportunities will cover the remaining cost. One such fundraiser will occur on May 6th at the Harrison County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fundraiser will include activities like a car show, dunk tank, live auction, custom semi show, kids' rides, inflatable slide, indoor laser tag, touch-a-truck, food vendors, and more. “The new grandstands will be a great addition to the fairgrounds and will provide a safe and enhanced experience for everyone who visits,” said Justin Lessen, Secretary of the HCAS Board of Directors. “We can’t thank the Community Foundation enough for supporting this project and look forward to raising the remaining funds.”
For more information about the new grandstands or to be part of supporting this project, please contact Lessen at (217) 828-0306. Supporters can also give directly online at harrisoncountyfair.com. Lessen says he looks forward to seeing everyone at the fairgrounds soon!