Great Northern Fair Board moves forward with fair plans

The Hill County Fair Board met Tuesday to talk about the final preparations for the fair and the future of the fairgrounds.

Hill County Commissioner Jeff LaVoi introduced the new and final member of the board to make it complete: Lori Roberts.

LaVoi said there were many good candidates for the position, including Roberts.

Roberts is employed by the Havre-Hill County Library and plays a large part in the Havre March of Dimes. Her acceptance onto the board marks the first time in some time that the membership of the board has been complete, about which Chair Alma Seidel expressed her relief.

LaVoi said that the county commissioners feel more comfortable with the current fair board than they have with any before.

The rodeo is considering making Thursday night of the fair a family night, where instead of the usual children 8 and under getting in for free, it would be 15 and under.

A petting zoo is now scheduled to be at the fair.

Holly Williams, granddaughter of Hank Williams and daughter of Hank Williams Jr., is set to perform Sunday of the fair, 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets will be $10.

Some concern was expressed about the show. The fair needs to sell 600 tickets to break even.

“If we get more attendance, we can get bigger and bigger names to come,” said fairgrounds manager Mike Sharp. He said presale tickets will be paramount to the success of the show. Children 8 and under will gain free admittance.

A hot dog-eating contest was pitched by a community member at the meeting, and the man was asked to collaborate with the Lion’s Club to see what they could do together.

Amber Wells, the founder of the Bullhook Bombshells Roller Derby also spoke at the meeting about possibly using the Community Center as a practice area for the flat track roller derby team.

Wells said she and her team are asking for two hours twice a week for an hourly price.

Seidel said the budget committee needs to talk it over and come up with a number to give her before they can move forward with the idea.

The next fair board meeting is scheduled for July 21st.