Beef Exhibition Barn Completed at Bedford Co. Fairgrounds

Build the Beef Barn at the Bedford County Fair planned to announce the completion and opening of the new Bedford Grange Mutual Beef Barn at the Bedford County Fairgrounds, Thursday evening July 15. A ribbon cutting and celebration dinner was held to open the beef barn and thank major sponsors and dedicated people who planned and built the barn. The barn will be used by beef exhibitors at the upcoming Bedford County Fair, July 25-31.

The Build the Beef Barn committee has worked over 4 years to plan and raise funds for the new barn. Fundraising was kicked off at the 2017 fair with a $50,000 donation by Bedford Grange Mutual, securing them naming rights for the barn. Since that time, over $200,000 was raised from donations, fundraising activities and grant writing to finance construction of the barn. Traci Guyer served as Fundraising Chairperson for the Build the Beef Barn. Kay Kring chaired the group and worked as project manager for the building. The barn committee thanked everyone who helped make this barn a reality by participating in fundraisers, donating services and expertise over the past 4 years.

The actual barn construction from demolition to completion occurred from March 2021 through July 2021. Due to the pandemic, there were some challenges with rising costs and supply availability. However, with continued financial support from the community and the dedicated work ethic of our barn building team, the project was completed on time for this year’s fair.

Some of the key people involved in the barn construction include:

• Valley View Builders, Herman Nolt, general contractor.

• Guyer Brothers, Inc.- donated demolition and site preparation services.

• Cottle’s Asphalt Maintenance- donated final grading, macadam paving and materials.

• Royce Coughenour, Coughenour Engineering-designed building and donated engineering services.

• Randall Kring, Keller Engineers- prepared and donated land development services.

• Tyrone Forge Service- electrical contractor.

• New Enterprise Stone & Lime- donated gravel for site preparation and delivered it.

Equipment for finishing the inside of the barn was procured from these suppliers:

• Fisher & Thompson- circulation fans.

• K C Livestock Equipment- tie panels, rails & gates; design & set up by Ezra Swope.

• Scott Electric- lighting fixtures.

The Bedford Fair begins July 25 and the public is invited to visit the fair and see the new beef barn in use. Beef exhibitors will be showing animals Tuesday, July 27 and Wednesday, July 28. Market steers will be sold at the Livestock Auction, Saturday, July 31.

The Build the Beef Barn committee is holding a 50/50 raffle to raise funds to finish paying expenses for the barn. Tickets are available from committee members, the fair office, Bedford Farm Bureau, Morral Farm Supply and during the fair. The prize drawing will be held at the Livestock Auction, Saturday, July 31.