GREENVILLE – The Darke County Senior Fair Board met on June 4, 2025, to discuss several important developments, including plans for a new covered horse arena, ongoing concerns with the pulling track, and a formal welcome to the new fair manager.
Plans Progress for Covered Horse Arena
Amber Schlechty, a member of the Covered Horse Arena Committee, shared updates on the highly anticipated covered arena project for the Darke County Equine 4-H members. The estimated cost to build is approximately $3 million, with blueprints and mock designs currently in development. The committee plans to have a pamphlet and detailed materials available within the next month to begin sharing with the public in hopes of getting donors.
To kick off the fundraising campaign, Amber mentioned how the committee would like to host a community event in July or August to help spread the word and get people engaged. Additionally, Madison Werner and the Trails and Tails 4-H Club will be hosting a contest series, with all proceeds going toward the arena fund.
Concerns Raised Over Pulling Track Condition
Kyle Schlechty of the Darke County Pulling Association addressed the board about the deteriorating condition of the pulling track. He emphasized that following some events, the surface has been left in poor shape, presenting hazards to pullers, workers, and spectators alike due to debris and uneven terrain. In contrast, he stated that his association ensures the track is left in better condition after their events.
Fair secretary, Laura Ahrens, expressed interest in working with the event coordinator Kyle to assess what steps are necessary to maintain the track’s condition properly. Kyle responded that if necessary, he would work for hire by the board to ensure the track is properly compacted and repaired. He noted that when the track is left soft or improperly managed by others, it becomes far more difficult to fix, especially after rain. Ron Barge attended to support Kyle and echoed appreciation to the board for their support in the pullers’ contributions.
It was generally agreed that the track is in rough condition and may require several thousand dollars in repairs.
Fair Entries Now Open
Both open show and junior fair entries are officially open and will remain so through July 21st. There will be no expeditions for late entries.
New Fair Manager Introduced
The board welcomed new fair manager Keith Ludwick during the meeting. In a brief address, Ludwick said, “I appreciate the opportunity to be here and I’m looking forward to working with everyone in the community. I have some ideas and I’m excited to start implementing those very soon.” The board is very excited to have Keith and has high hopes for him in the role.
Updated Office Hours
Marla Werner reiterated the fair office’s updated hours for March through November:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, Thursday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Saturday: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Executive Session Decisions: Leadership Changes and Admission Policy
Following an executive session, the board made two significant decisions:
- Resignation and Reassignment: The board accepted Laura Ahrens’ resignation as Fair Manager and approved her hiring as the Fair Office Manager, effective immediately.
- Junior Fair Sale Buyer Admission: The board also passed a motion to continue allowing Junior Fair Sale buyers to enter the fair using their buyer letter, valid for the same three days as in previous years.
Next Meeting
The next Senior Fair Board meeting is scheduled for June 18th at 7:00 p.m.
For continued updates, community members are encouraged to stay engaged and attend meetings as the fair season ramps up.
