A fair report: Board explores demo derby options

Fair seeking new board member 

The Big Horn County Fair Board is looking for a new member. At the September 2 meeting, chairperson Rebecca Bates notified the rest of the board of the resignation of Eron Lampman. Lampman has moved out of the county. 

Interested parties may apply at https://www.bighorncountywy.gov/#appointed-board

FINANCES 

Board treasurer Tracy Haley presented the financial report. She noted that the tentative August 2026 budget had been sent by the county. “Of our $145,900 budget, we’ve used $70,537.59. Which is about 51% of the budget. It does reflect that we are overbudget in pig wrestling, which is not correct. We have that money in our account that we need to give back to the courthouse.” 

She explained that there was a voucher for $4,500 to pay the vendor but $10,000 had been requested for the line item. She should have requested $5,500 vs. the $10,000 since $4500 had been paid. 

A bank statement received from the county treasurer that morning showed a balance of $31,862.50. Haley’s records show a $29,505.10. She added there are some checks that haven’t cleared. 

Bates noted that bank statements will now be sent to the fair each month to help with reconciliation of the finances. 

Board member Dan VanderPloeg asked if a rough estimate of the gate income was available. Haley provided the following: 

Rodeo: Gate- $6,610, entry fees-$10,490. 

Pig Wrestling: Gate - $5,390, entry fees - $2,060, Calcutta - $7,600, Calcutta payout - $5,298.90. 

Demo Derby: Gate - $5,519. 

Tough Truck: Gate - $1,710.

FAIR FEEDBACK 

VanderPloeg was not at the last fair board meeting, so he missed the public feedback portion of that meeting. He asked specifically about the feedback on the Demo Derby.  His concern was that derbies as a rule don’t seem to draw the people, or the cars, they once did. He heard that Park County’s derby wasn’t very good. VanderPloeg continued that Figure 8 racing has replaced demo derbies. Fair Event Planner Dusty Miller noted that the area in Basin is not big enough per the event organizers.  

Board member Tim Allen discussed that most of the derbies through Wyoming and Montana have changed the rules. This fair has not. “All the people that could have come with their cars couldn’t because of the build spec we were running. I believe next meeting we talked about changing the rules. That would mean 30 more cars there.” 

There was discussion about how Thermopolis does have successful derbies. Also, that the temperature at the time of this county’s derby was over 100º. That may have kept some people away. VanderPloeg thought the board should explore the possibility of a different event to replace the derby. The board would like to work with the same organizer as this year’s derby to brainstorm ideas. The board heard positive feedback on the Tuff Truck. 

VanderPloeg told the board he had heard that the fair should get more seasoned judges for the livestock shows. “Look for people that are breeders of the particular animal they are judging.” The judges at State Fair are typically breeders. Bates stated that the judge issue had not come up in the feedback they received from the public. 

VanderPloeg gave a specific example that for showmanship the judge “didn’t work the kids. It was very simplistic. She didn’t make the kids make a decision. She just made them go around. She felt them, made them go around, sorted them. Nobody had to do anything. It doesn’t make the kids work at the showmanship.” He also noted that many of them had halters on their animals. This is not typical for a showmanship class. “You should not be able to win and also use aids in my opinion.” 

Board member Katrina Zeller said that at one of the shows at State Fair, the youth were in the arena with the judge thirty minutes vs. the five or so minutes in the arena at this fair. 

Allen remarked sometimes it is a “win-some, lose-some.” There were some kids that had good steers that didn’t win.  Bates and Miller both agreed with Allen that sometimes it is a hit or miss situation depending on who the judges are. 

BHC 4-H Educator Gretchen Gasvoda explained there is a list of judges for the fairs to choose from. The fair could also ask for letters of recommendation. The board discussed the possibility of raising the judging fee to attract more experienced judges. Haley noted the county only has a certain amount of money to spend. Bates replied that the board could look at raising those fees. She asked VanderPloeg to have the people that express the concerns about the judges to come to the board and discuss options. 

 OTHER BUSINESS 

Fair Event Planner report: Contract ends Oct. 1. She will leave written documentation of operating procedures, timelines, etc. 

The board spoke of the complaints they had regarding lack of enforcement of designated areas for the beer garden.   

An executive session was held to discuss personnel. 

A work meeting was set for September 23 at 6 p.m.   Some of the items that will be discussed are to address issues in the barns, fall festival, AARP grants, beer garden contract and enforcement. 

Haley read a letter from Robin Allen/Road 10 T-Shirts & More. Allen and her husband Tim own Toolman Rentals as well. Road 10 made the sponsor banners for the fair. She expressed her gratitude that the board used a local business for their sign needs.  

She addressed that the sponsorship for the royalty belt buckles was not recognized. She addressed concerns about the maintenance of the signs as well. Signs from last year that could have been reused were too damaged for reuse. The boards are an aluminum composite. She also explained that the vinyl should last 7-10 years. 

Haley’s take on the letter was that if the fair can make more money on sponsorships if the signs don’t have to be redone each year. The signs need taken care of between fairs.