Built in 2010, the Event Center at the Richland County Fairgrounds has been a staple on the grounds.
After only 12 years it is already set for an expansion. It was built because there was a need in the community for a large indoor venue that could be rented out in sections. It has served its purpose well over the years having been the site of weddings, group and business meetings, banquets, fundraisers, fairs, and even competitions. Just Aug. 20, the fairgrounds were hosting three different events at the same time. Thanks to the ability to use the Event Center, there was the Lone Tree Gun Show and a wedding, while the Sidney Jaycees Demo Derby went on outside in the arena. “The Event Center has served the fairgrounds well,” Pam Schelmidine the fair manager states, “With increased usage, there is a need to accommodate more indoor events simultaneously throughout the year.” Currently, the building can hold 300 people per section and almost 1,000 throughout the entire building.
During the 2022 Richland County Fair, it was estimated that 300,000 people attended. The expansion will allow more room. The expansion will house the exhibits that were traditionally in the Ag Building. After its demolition in 2020, the exhibits were temporarily housed in the Old Commercial Building and will continue to be there until the completion of the project in 2024. After completion, the vendors will still be able to have the main part of the building for their booths and the Commercial Building can again be used for performances or other activities. Many venues on the fairgrounds are available for rent all year round. Allowing groups and businesses a place in eastern Montana to hold different events here instead of having to travel out of state, clear to Billings, or even further. Fairgrounds Manager Shelmidine said, “It’s nice to have events that bring people into the area. Events at the event center bring a lot of revenue into the community.”
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